Page 124 of The Reason I Married Him
“Nope, no, uh, poison,” I say, my stomach flip-flopping inside me. “Didn’t die.”
“Maybe I’m not so bad after all.”
“You’re not,” I say, which makes him smile but, in return, makes me feel weak.
“I think I might be growing on you, Aubree.” He smirks and pulls me up against his chest, somehow flipping me to my side at the same time. He curls up against me and holds me, snuggling in close just like the other night.
And as I lie there, slowly relaxing and sinking into his embrace, I think about that kiss. Maybe next time I won’t be so stiff. Maybe next time I’ll kiss him back.
If we’re going to pull this off, I’ll have to kiss him back.
The Next Night. . .
“I’ve noticed a trend with you,” Wyatt says as he checks the lock on the door.
“What’s that?” I ask as I plug in my phone and lie flat on the bed, just my head tilted to look at him.
“You tend to wear Almond Store shirts to bed. The color varies, but they’re all oversized.”
“These are actually the shirts Cassidy ordered when the store first opened. She didn’t notice the error on them until Ethel pointed it out when she went to buy one.”
“There’s an error?” he asks as he slides under the covers and moves toward me. “Where?”
I sit up and straighten my shirt out. “Right here. The ‘O’ and the ‘N’ in almond are out of place.”
“Oh yeah, look at that.” He smiles as he stares down at my shirt. “So did you just take a bunch for sleeping in?”
“Yup, and then we donated the others to a shelter in San Francisco. Hattie took them for us since she was going to school there at the time.”
“At least they were put to good use. So I’m guessing that’s all you wear?”
“Pretty much. I have a few others I trade out, but these are it.”
“I like them. Might steal one for myself.”
“Umm, isn’t it the wife who’s supposed to steal clothes from the husband?”
He holds up one finger. “First of all, really pleased that you referred to our scenario as husband and wife. Clearly, I’m rubbing off on you. Now, we just have to get you to start going on rabbit hole tangents about mallard mailboxes.” I chuckle as he holds up a second finger. “And that shirt would fit me. Therefore, I might steal it. Fair game.”
“Does that mean I can steal your clothes?” I ask, only teasing.
“Have at it, babe,” he says. “Take whatever you want.”
“I’m not going to wear your clothes, Wyatt.”
“Why not?” he asks. “I’m going to be your husband after all. Might as well take advantage. Although, some shirts are off limits.”
“And what would those be?” I ask.
He curls his lips to the side. “Nice try. If I tell you which ones, you’ll make it your mission to grab those shirts specifically to wear. Not falling for it.”
“I guess you’re starting to understand me better.”
“Oh, I can read you like a book,” he says as he pulls me closer by the hip. “Normally, you don’t talk this much, but you know what’s coming, so you’re procrastinating and prolonging our conversation.”
“I . . . I don’t know what you mean.”
He gives me aget reallook and moves in closer, cutting down our space to mere inches. “Good night, Aubree.” He cups my cheek and very lightly brings his mouth to mine. This time, I’m prepared, and when he kisses me, I kiss him back right before he pulls away. Looking down at me, he smiles but doesn’tsay anything. Instead, he curls into my back and goes to sleep, leaving it at that.
