AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My skin flushes at my admission, and part of me feels like a failure for a moment—as a wife, as a mother. The touch of Isaac’s hand as he covers mine startles me, but I don’t pull away as he slips his fingers through mine. I open my mouth to make a joke, to ease the seriousness somehow, when the Uber comes to a stop in front of the city park entrance.
I hadn’t paid much attention, but now the crowd is impossible to miss. People mill about the streets, and tons of tents and tables are sprawled across the grass.
Isaac hops out before I can form a question, and he’s around the car in a flash to open my door and help me out. My heelsclickon the sidewalk, and I’m reminded of what I’m wearing. People are dressed up here, but my shoes might not be the best for a walk in the park. I’ve survived worse in heels.
As we fall into step, I take in everything around us. Isaac’s pinky is linked around mine loosely. I’ve never held pinkies with someone before, but it feels right. Not too tight, just enough pressure.
“The butterfly festival.” My brain makes the connection as the botanical gardens and greenhouse come into view.
“Yes,” Isaac exclaims with a sheepish smile. “I think it’s such a beautiful event, and the vendors are set up with crafts and stuff, and there’s also a wine tasting we could do.”
“You’ve already seen me hungover, so are you sure about that?” I joke.
“Oh, you weren’t that bad. And remember, I have the perfect cure.” Isaac’s confidence is rolling off him in waves. “C’mon, we’ll grab some samples before we check out the greenhouse. If that’s cool with you?”
“Absolutely,” I agree, glancing around for the wine tasting and spotting it expertly before leading him over there. “I’m in the mood for something peachy.”
As we transition from the sidewalk to the grass, my heels sink into the dirt, and it takes every bit of leg muscle I have to yank them free, but I keep my composure and try not to breathe super heavy from the effort.
Shit, I might be a bit out of shape.
I’m opening my clutch for my debit card when Isaac whips his phone out and scans the QR code. I nudge him with my elbow, but he shakes his head, shooting me a fierce glare. “No. My treat.”
Since I’ve known Isaac, I’ve never seen him so masculine, but this side of him is beautiful in a new dangerous way. I close my clutch with a snap, my arms pebbling with goose bumps. “Yes, sir.”
His eyes flash in amusement, a smile pulling at his lips as he takes the sample cup from the attendant. He motions toward me, and after I nod, he puts the cup to my lips, turning it up slowly. I take a sip, the sweet peach blooming in my mouth while my panties are probably soaked as well. Lord have mercy. This dominating side of Isaac was not something I expected to witness tonight. But I have to say, I’m a fan.
TWELVE
I WAS A CATERPILLAR
“I think we’ve had enough wine.” Phoebe tucks her arm through mine to steady herself as we make our way across the grass to the greenhouse. I don’t know if it’s the shoes or the wine, but she needs my support more than she did when we got here.
“You might be right about that.”
“I think I’ll buy a bottle of the peach before we head out,” she muses as we enter the building, heat blasting us in the face as the door shuts behind us.
“I don’t think I tried that one. The blackberry was good though.”
“It was, but that peach…” She trails off.
“We’ll have to share a glass next time.”
“Next time,” she says with a dreamy smile. As we step into the warmth of the greenhouse, she gasps softly as she looks around.
I came to this festival a few times when I was younger, and it is gorgeous, but Phoebe’s reaction is absolutely beautiful. Her lips part, her eyes glowing as she takes in the sight before us. Butterflies flutter around hundreds of plants and trees, landing on flowers and waving their wings slowly. Crickets chirp and soft music is playing too. There are lights strung around the whole place, and the ambiance is something otherworldly.
“It’s like something out of a fairy tale,” she finally says, leading the way up the aisle. The butterflies flit around us, curious as to who has entered their home. One lands on her shoulder for a moment, and when she turns her head to the side to glance at it, I wish I had my phone ready to take a picture.
I hurry and pull it out. “Hey, Phoebe, don’t move.” Hopefully the butterfly doesn’t fly away. She starts to turn her head but stops, and I snap a few shots of her looking to the side, the butterfly posing as well. “Okay, got it.”
I turn the screen, showing her the image.
“Oh, wow. That’s beautiful. I can’t believe it's me.” She laughs.”
“You are beautiful.” The words are out before I can stop them, but I don’t regret saying them.
Her cheeks flush. “Thank you.” We move down the aisle. “I’ve never made time to check this out,” she admits, leaning over to smell some of the flowers. She closes her eyes as she inhales, as if she’s savoring the experience.
