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"When Edward told me he was getting married, I was sure he’d decided to ask the first eligible woman he came across to be his wife. I’m relieved to see he’s been much more discerning."
"Umm—" She shuffle her feet. "I… We…."
"We’re very in love, Grandad. When I saw Mira, there was no question I was going to marry her. Your condition that I get married before I can be confirmed in my role as CEO spurred me to pop the question."
Arthur holds out his right hand, and when Belle places her left palm in it, he raises her fingers and kisses her engagement ring. "You gave her the ring your grandmother left you?”
"This is your grandmother’s ring?" She glances at me in shock.
"It’s the reason I found out about his existence,” Arthur adds.
She tears her gaze away from mine and frowns. "I’m not sure I understand."
Arthur hooks her arm through his, then leads her down the hallway. I bracket her in from the other side.
"When my wife passed away last year, I was gutted."
"I’m so sorry for your loss," she murmurs.
I shoot him a glance in time to see his eyes shadow. "Thank you. I appreciate it. Greta and I were married for fifty-five years."
Her gaze widens until those blue eyes seem to fill her face.
"Seems like a long time, but it went by in a flash." Arthur’s lips curve.Holy shit, the old man smiled?In the little time I’ve known him, I’ve never seen the hint of softness on his face, but a few seconds with her, and he’s already in a better mood. Seems I’m not the only one susceptible to her sunshine nature.
"Time is funny.” I narrow my gaze on him, then continue, “When you’re having fun, it speeds by, and when you’re dreading a deadline, it seems to be roaring toward you.”
Arthur nods. "I'll bet the two of you can’t wait to get married. It must seem like an impossibly long time until the ceremony."
I frown at my grandfather. Did he mean…? Nope, he means we’re in love and can’t wait to get married, and it seems like a long way off in the future, though it’s only a few days.
Belle hesitates, then shakes her head. "You’re wrong."
"I am?" He knits his brows.
I narrow my gaze on her.What the hell is she doing?Before I can say anything, she hooks her free arm through mine, and rubs her cheek against my sleeve. "Every day with Eddie is the best day of my life. He’s so warm, so caring, and he has a great sense of humor.” She beams.
I do?I blink.
"Oh, honeykins, you have a wicked, tongue-in-cheek wit, and your jokes crack me up." She pats my shoulder.
I stare at her, unsure of where she's going with this.
"Oh, Sweetie, you have such a sense of humor. I’ve never laughed so much as when I’m with you. In fact, the amount of tears I've shed—"
I growl loud enough for only her to hear me.
"—due to finding your jokes funny… Perhaps, I’m the only one who does, but you’ve made me burst out in hysterics until I cry, Eddie." She flicks an imaginary tear from the corner of her eyes.
She called me Eddie, again.I’m aware I’m glowering at her, and in front of Arthur, but what-fucking-ever.No one calls me Eddie and gets away with it. Except her, apparently. Time I put an end to that.I open my mouth to set her straight, but Arthur cuts me off.
"That’s what my Greta used to say."
I manage to tear my gaze from that of my fiancée long enough to take in the wistful look on Arthur’s face.
"She always found my jokes hilarious. Even after all those years of being married, she’d laugh at my jokes. She liked to say she was the only one who found my jokes funny after all that time." He swallows then turns to me. "I’m glad you took my advice to heart."
"Wouldn’t dream of doing otherwise." I can’t stop the note of sarcasm in my tone.
