Page 93 of Memories By the Shore
“That’s good because I might have to push back on that,” he quips.
“But they’re my favorite fruit.”
Jasper runs his nose across my cheek. “Okay, fine, a pineapple house it is.”
I laugh. “I’m kidding.”
“Really? Because it was starting to grow on me.”
“Maybe the bathroom?”
“That can be done,” he says, releasing me slowly. Jasper walks over to the kitchen.
I take a few quiet steps toward him. “I do want the house to reflect the freshness of the beach. Island-themed with an organic touch. Elements like driftwood and greenery,” I continue as he circles the eat-in kitchen.
“I love it.” Jasper opens one of the broken, white cabinets. It falls off the loose hinge and clashes with the floor. “Shit.”
Startled, I jump back, but with a brief glance between us, we both start laughing.
“It might take longer than expected.” He chuckles.
I approach the peeling wallpaper to my side. “And a lot more than a simple coat of paint.”
“Yes.” He laughs. “I was thinking about painting the outside of the house blue and white.”
I shut my eyes, imagining what it would look like with those colors. A picture of Jasper and me with a baby in my arms,standing at the door, flashes behind the darkness of my eyelids. I barely recognize myself in this vision.It feels right, but why is it so hard to imagine it could happen to me?
I open my eyes to Jasper standing before me with his eyes on fire.
“Sounds perfect,” I squeak, recognizing his flame.
“Now, what do you say we get started on more important things,” he says, slipping his hands around my waist. The warmth from his touch causes an outbreak of goose bumps to span my body.
“I think that’s a great idea.” I pull my bottom lip between my teeth and wrap my arms around the back of his neck.
“I can’t believe we got married tonight,” he says in a husked voice, pressing a gentle kiss on my forehead.
My eyes fall closed, savoring his touch. “I know. I can’t believe you got me to do that.”
“You weren’t that difficult to convince.”
“That’s true.” I giggle. “You’re a hard guy to say no to.”
“Arizona?” His voice is a little sharper than before.
I tuck my face into the sweet-smelling cotton of his shirt. “Yeah?”
“Take off your black wedding dress.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Now
Jasper
Ipace back and forth, wearing down the same spot on my hardwood floors. I wonder if Avery will want to see me again after her dinner with Helen. She has come barging back into my life, and the sheer terror I feel about losing her once again manifests into a light hum of panic.
My phone chimes on the kitchen counter. I practically jumped over the back of my couch to grab it, hoping it was her.
