Page 11 of Unexpected Redemption

His head kicks back in a slight roll. “I thought I botched that.”

“Maybe youdohave autism.” My face lights up in jest, smile and eyes widening. “Because the way I attacked you afterward should have been a big, fat nonverbal cue of how much youdidn’tbotch it.”

Silence settles pleasantly like a perfect spring day in a meadow.

“Sue has a therapist she wants me to see,” he offers.

“Oh?”

“Lettie, would you go with me?”

Well, box my peanuts.

Everything he says lately makes me love him more.

“I would absolutely go with you.”

“You will?”

“Of course, silly. You’re my person. If you need something, I’ll give it to you eagerly so long as it’s in my power to give.”

“Can I tell you the third thing now?”

My mind rewinds, quickly searching for what he’s talking about.Ah yes. The three things he needs so he has everything conversation.

I flash him a toothy smile, letting my eyes dance. “Yes, please.”

His chest expands sharply with his inhales, and his eyes darken. “Those manners, Lettie.”Nibbling his lip, he intensifies his hold on my neck.

And I flood the couch.

We might need to consider one of those plastic sofa covers like my grandma—well,great-grandma—had back in Climax. That couch was hideous. The stuff of nightmares. Big orange and brown swirls on a booger yellow-green base.Blech.

“Why do my manners turn you on?”

“I wish I knew. I just fucking love them. Then again... what about youdoesn’tturn me on?”He pretends to think, scratching his chin and pursing his lips. “Only thing that comes to mind is your horrible choices in what we watch.”

“Are we gonna keep flirting, or are you going to tell me the third thing you want? I can’t solve either of the other two, so I’mreallyhoping this one is something I can deliver.”

I wait expectantly for him to answer. As he caresses me lovingly and looks at me with reverence, I could swear a pixie sets off sparkles behind his eyes.

“You can definitely give me the last thing. In fact, you’re the only one who can.”

With that declaration, I vault upward. I need to see him head-on for whatever this is. Flutters of happiness electrify my skin.

On my knees, I rest my tush on my heels and fold my hands in my lap. When he doesn’t answer immediately, I grumble under my breath and scooch closer. “Tell me, please.”

Reaching toward my waist without warning, he quickly drags me onto his lap. It makes me giggle louder than that time I sprayed my slushie all over Kelly Smitty’s chest at the spring formal when Stella told me a joke about horse shit. It was memorable, albeit disgusting. And I was cackling then as brightly as I am now.

“Easy, caveman. You can’t handle the merchandise all willy-nilly.”

“Grunt. Snort. My Woman. Sit. Lap. Now. Grunt.”

“Who are you?” I ask between gasping laughs.

He’s been playful before. We’ve had lots of laughs in our months together. After all, I’m like... super fun to be around.

Yet I’veneverseen him overflowing with joy like this. I could die happy now.

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