Page 48 of Honeymoon Phase
I tilt my head and look around the room, taking in the warm, cozy feel. “I think I’m going to like it here.” We’re silent for a moment before I add, “But there is no way in hell I’m joining that Fletcher family carpool spreadsheet you texted me.”
“What?”
“You guys leave for Boulder every day at six thirty in the morning!”
“Yeah, so?”
“It’s a no from me.”
Luke hops up from the floor and wipes his hands off on his jeans, Rufus squawking at the quick change of position. “Wyatt is going to be pissed at you.”
“Why?”
“Because Fletcher Mountain is an eco-friendly peak. Did you peep the solar panels when you got here? You’re increasing our carbon footprint and he is not going to be pleased.”
“Well, you’re my husband,” I snap up at him.
“Yeah... and?”
“And you should stick up for me like I did for you today with your mom,” I exclaim, glowering up at him with all the rage I can muster when deep down I friggin’ love this kid.
Luke watches me for a moment, a strange look in his eyes that I can’t quite read. He takes a beat and lowers himself down onto the sofa so he’s no longer towering over me. “That was really cool what you did for my mom today, by the way.”
“It was nothing.” I reply, looking away so I don’t say out loud,I didn’t do it for her. I did it for you.
“No, it was something.” He makes a noise in the back of his throat and adds, “I fucked up and you saved the day and made her really happy. Thank you for doing that.”
I offer him a weak smile. “I’m going to need help planning this dang wedding anyways.”
He chuckles softly. “Yeah, your dad knew exactly what he was doing with that request.”
“He’s evil.” I growl, my hands balling up into fists. “But at least we’ll have a couple months to get used to faking this marriage thing so by the time I have to walk down the aisle to you in a puffy white dress, we can make it look halfway convincing.”
Luke’s eyes tighten ever so slightly before he nods and bends over to pick up Rufus. “I’m going to put this guy back outside and then probably crash. Back to the real world tomorrow.”
“Ugh, work. I hate Mondays.” I reach my hand out for Luke to help me up and as he does, in one fluid motion, I pull him in for a big bear hug, squeezing his waist and burying my face in his chest. Rufus clucks loudly at my sudden close proximity and I think I feel the peck of his beak in my hair.
“What’s this for?” Luke asks as he wraps his free arm around me and rests his chin on my head.
I squeeze tighter and inhale his scent of sandalwood and lavender. It’s rugged and soft. Just like Luke. “Thank you just isn’t enough.”
I pull away and his hand lingers on my back, his eyes warm on mine as he looks down at me. “Sleep well, wife.”
That label has my contented smile growing. “Good night, husband.”
And the two of us part ways to head to our separate bedrooms for some much-needed space to wrap our brains around what the next year of our life is going to look like.
Lord help us.
Chapter 17
Fact or Fiction?
Phase two is going to be a bitch.
Luke
On Monday morning at 6:04 a.m., I wake to the familiar crescendoed cry of Rufus crowing over all of Fletcher Mountain... from my front porch. I yawn and stretch, my muscles screaming from one of a myriad of things I’ve done to it in the past week:
