Page 42 of Tainted Tempos

He shakes his head. “Is that what you’re worried about, Mckenna? You think you’ll hurt me?”

“I think I’ll hurt everyone who gets too close to me,” I admit. I turn in my seat, angle my body closer to Mav’s as I lower my voice. “I’m so scared. I’m worried Bran damaged me and ruined my chances of having a normal, healthy relationship. I’m terrified I’ll mess up anyone who loves me. That I’ll mess up with you, Mav, and ruin our marriage before it truly has a chance to start.”

He shakes his head, his eyes ringed in sadness. “That’s not true. Trust me, I’m the fuckup in my group. The people who love you and care for you stick even when you don’t want them to.”

I work a swallow, wanting to believe his words.

“I’m gonna stick, Mckenna.” He cups my cheek. “And I’ll prove that to you with time. For now, we work through everything together. I’m your husband and your best friend and the man you can count on and trust.”

“Thank you,” I say, gratitude coloring my words.

Mav drops his forehead to rest against mine. “Don’t thank me, Mckenna. I’d do anything for you. Any goddamn thing. Believe that.”

“I do,” I say sincerely.

He smiles. “I’m in love with you, my wife.”

“Aww,” a woman walking down the center of the aisle murmurs.

I straighten to look at her and smile as she stares at us, one hand pressed against her chest.

“Louise, stop bugging them!” a man, I assume her husband, says behind her.

But Louise’s smile widens. “Albert and I have been married forty years,” she tells us, reaching behind to grasp Albert’s arm.

Albert rolls his eyes but he’s grinning. “Don’t bore them!”

“Not at all,” Mav says, grinning at Louise. “Congratulations. I hope we make it to forty years.”

“You will.” Louise nods with certainty. “The way you two look at each other? That’s true love.”

“Louise,” Albert whines.

Louise leans forward. “Congratulations on your marriage! I saw the photos in the paper. And my darling, you are a vision in green.”

“Ma’am, you’re blocking the aisle,” a flight attendant says, her tone impatient.

Louise waves a dismissive wrist. “Best wishes to you both.”

“Thank you, Louise,” I say, meaning it.

We exchange a smile before she keeps moving down the aisle.

Mav and I hold hands, and he squeezes lightly.

“Well, Louise has spoken,” he jokes.

“Looks like I’m it for you the next forty years,” I tease back.

“I can only hope to be so lucky, Mckenna.”

“Me too, Mav. Me too.”

TWELVE

MAV

Our honeymoon is officially over.

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