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She forced out a steady, “Why, thank you, I’m doing splendidly. And you, Hulking Horror?”
Right on cue, his expected laugh came, boisterous and unfettered. He kept telling her that she had the specific code that operated his humor, and almost everything she said tickled him mercilessly. She’d been liberally exercising that power over him, to both their delight.
In return, the gift of his laughter, and knowing that she could incite it, caused her various physical and emotional malfunctions.
She was dealing with the latest bout when he said, laughter still permeating his magnificent voice, “I’m doing spectacularly now that my Mighty Miniature has taken me well in hand. You ready? I’m downstairs.” Yeah, he never even asked to come up. “And hurry! I have something to show you.”
“Uh-uh. Don’t play that game with me.” She took a look in the mirror and groaned. Not a good idea to inspect herself right before she beheld him. The comparison was just too disheartening. She slammed out of her apartment in frustration and ran into the elevator that a neighbor had just exited. “Tell me what it is. I have severe allergies to surprises.”
“Just so we won’t end up in the E.R., I’ll give you a hint.” His voice had that vibrant edge of excitement she’d been hearing more of late as they planned trips they’d take and projects they’d do together. “It’s things people live in.”
Her heart sputtered in answering excitement. “You bought an apartment! Oh, congrats.”
“Hey, you think me capable of making a decision without consulting my Mini Me?”
The elevator opened to reveal him. And it hit her all over again with even more force than last time. How…shattering his beauty was.
But with the evidence of his current glory, she knew he’d been right. When she’d met him again six weeks ago, he had been at his lowest ebb. Ever since then, he’d been steadily shedding any sign of haggardness. He was now at a level that should be prohibited by law, like any other health hazard.
And there she was, the self-destructive fool who willingly exposed herself to his emanations on a daily basis. And without any protection.
Not that there was any, or that she’d want it if there was. She’d decided to open herself up to the full exposure and to hell with the certain and devastating side effects.
As usual, without even taking her arm or touching her in any way whatsoever, he rushed ahead, gesturing eagerly for her to follow. She did. As she knew by now, she always would.
Once in his car and on their way, he turned to her. “I’m taking you to see the candidates. I’m signing the contract of the one you’ll determine I’ll feel most comfortable in.”
Her jaw dropped. “And I’m supposed to know that…how?”
His sideways glance was serenity itself. “Because you know everything.”
“Hey.” She turned in her seat. “Thanks for electing me your personal oracle or goddess or whatever, but no thanks. You can’t saddle me with this kind of responsibility.”
“It’s your right and prerogative, O Diminutive Deity.”
She rolled her eyes. “What ever happened to free will?”
“Who needs that when I have you?”
“If it was anyone else, I’d be laughing. But I know you’re crazy enough to sign a contract if I as much as say a word in preference of one place.” His nod reinforced her projection. “What if you end up hating my choice?”
“I won’t.” His smile was confidence incarnate. “And that’s not crazy, but the logical conclusion to the evidence of experience. Everything you choose for me or advise me to do turns out to be the perfect solution for me. Case in point, look at me.”
And she’d been trying her best not to. Not to stare, anyway. He gestured at his clothes. “You pointed this out in a shop yesterday, said I’d look good in it.”
Yeah, because you’d look good in anything. You’d make a tattered sac look like haute couture.
“Even though I thought I’d look like a cyanotic parrot in this color…” A deep, intense purple that struck incredible hues off his hair and eyes. “I bought it on the way here based solely on your opinion. Now I think I’ve never worn anything more complimenting.”
Her lips twisted in mockery, and with a twinge at how right he was. He looked the most vital and incandescent he’d ever been. “Pink frills would compliment you, Aram.”
“Then I’ll try those next.”
A chuckle overpowered her as imaginings flooded her mind. “God, this I have to see.”
His grin flashed, dazzling her. “Then you will.” Suddenly his face settled into a seriousness that was even more hard-hitting. “All joking aside, I’m not being impulsive here. I’m a businessman, and I make my decisions built on what works best. And you work best.”
“Uh, thanks. But in exactly what way do I do that?”
