Page 124 of The Golden Hour

The Honey from two months ago and the Honey now are like two different people. Still the same sweetheart, still his Honey, but she looks so much healthier. It is almost impossible to think he had not noticed anything different.

Her cheeks are flushed with color, her eyes are bright and wide, her skin is glowing and radiant, and the weight she lost has returned, giving her those full cheeks he adored kissing again.

“You’re beautiful…”

The raspy words slip from his mouth unbidden, and he almost regrets his loose lips before Honey smiles.

“Thank you,” she whispers, before grabbing the blanket covering him and pulling it off. “Come on.”

She turns and walks back into the bedroom without another word.

Mason is sleepy, not stupid, so he practically leaps off the floor, wincing at the pain in his back and how his joints snap and pop as he stumbles into the bedroom. His eyes instantly go to the crib, where Daisy sleeps peacefully, her little snores making him smile.

“She snores like you,” Honey whispers fondly.

Mason looks mock offended. “I don’t snore.”

His wife gives him a dry look.

“Mason, I’ve been sleeping next to you since I was sixteen. You snore.”

The comment and the sweet memories almost take his knees out from under him.

“Whatever you say, Honey,” Mason says, grinning softly, but hoping she understands the double meaning in the words.

From the soft smile on her face, she just might.

Mason glances at the bedside table and sees that it’s three in the morning and realizes he had only been asleep for about two hours. When his dad dropped him off, they parted with a long hug.

“I’m proud of you,” Rob rumbled into his ear.

“I didn’t do anything,” Mason said.

“You asked for help, kid,” Rob said, his voice firm. “That’s the hardest part. Now go get some rest, and don’t you wake up my granddaughter or daughter-in-law.”

Mason chuckled. “Yes, sir.”

His chest and head felt light as he tiptoed into the house, showered quickly, and settled down in his normal spot to sleep. It’s become a habit at this point, and he likes being right there to get Daisy before Honey gets out of bed. She needs her sleep.

Now Mason stands in the bedroom, feeling lost, as Honey climbs into her bed.

He feels even more lost when she looks at him expectantly.

“Come on,” she says, patting the space next to her and lifting the covers.

Any remaining sleepiness in Mason bleeds from his body in an instant.

“…really?” he asks, his voice quiet.

“Just for tonight,” Honey says, and he hears the boundary. He’ll take whatever she’s willing to give, even if it’s just tonight.

Nothing can kill his excitement.

Slowly, like he is scared she will change her mind at any wrong move, Mason settles himself under the covers next to her. It is a queen-sized bed, enough room for both of them, but not much room for personal space. He is close enough to feel her warmth. He is enveloped in her sweet scent, and he cannot help but just look at her as they lie on their sides facing each other.

“Are you okay?” Honey asks.

“I’m great,” Mason says, his voice breaking like he is fifteen again and trying to be smooth when talking to Honey.