Page 54 of Sweet Poison

I like him. A lot.

I point excitedly at a photo of a shark swimming happily among his friends. “Look. I want to go here and see these baby sharks. Aren’t they so pretty?”

“I wouldn’t call those fish pretty, fairy. Look at those soulless eyes.”

I smile at that.

I don’t think Madden likes sharks all that much. Whenever I share facts about them he changes the topic and asks me about mushrooms instead.

“They are pretty. Just like you!” I whisper while signing.

Madden’s grumpiness starts to fade and then his eyes soften, and he starts to sign. I watch his hands with wide, captivated eyes. “I don’t think anyone would call me pretty.” My heart swells with happiness as I follow his gestures realizing that he has learned sign language but then my heart squeezes painfully in my chest at his words.

“You are far more than pretty, Madden. You’re green!”

“Green?” He signs, frowning.

I nod. “My favorite color and the best color of all the colors!”

I think he blushes but I’m not sure since he turns his head away so I can’t see.

Then I notice the book he left on his bed, sticking out from under the pillow case.

It’s a sign language book, and my eyes light up knowing that he took it upon himself to learn what he believes is my language.

Thud.

Thud.

Thud.

My heart flips inside my chest.

A long moment passes before Madden turns to me again.

“Do you believe in magic?” I ask, my eyes searching his face now.

Madden shakes his head, a small smile playing at his lips. “No, I don’t.”

I gaze at him, feeling the warmth of this moment. “I do.”

He chuckles softly, the sound like an arrow to my heart. He reaches out and gently ruffles my hair. I didn’t realize it then but I was slowly falling for the man who would one day fill all my days with magic. With him.

My favorite color.

My green.

Him.

Chapter

Eighteen

THE BIG BAD MILLIONAIRE

Willow

“Follow the light. It’ll guide you home.” – W

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