Page 51 of The Neighborly Thing To Do
I never thought I’d be wearing a wedding band. My mother had certainly started to believe it would never happen. But here it is, nearly perfect on my finger.
“It is? Good. I gave my best guess. The jeweler was definitely worried. Kept trying to hint that I might be over-estimating. And like, I wanted to tell him that I’ve had those fingers inside me. I think I know how big they are.”
Fuck yes she has, and I’ll do it again. She moans so sweetly when I push my fingers inside of her.
But even the thought of that can’t distract me right now, because my wife needs her wedding ring. I pluck it from her palm, running my finger over the metal as I pull it to my lips, pressing a kiss to it before I slide it onto her ring finger. “My wife,” I say, and I’d like to say it comes out declarative, but the truth is it probably comes out stunned. I almost can’t believe this is all true.
She brings our connected hands to her mouth and kisses my knuckles. “My husband,” she murmurs, and that does it for me.
I feel like marrying her all over again, like I need to say my vows again when I fully understand what they mean. To have and to hold, for richer and poorer, as long as we both shall live. And after, whatever is after, because I’m not letting this woman go.
“I’m so glad you agreed to marry me,” I tell her.
She giggles, so sweet and adorable. “I think you agreed to marryme. It was a favor for me, after all.”
Sure, but I asked her. Was damn insistent about it, too, and it’s not just because she deserves to stay in this town. That was a good enough reason all on its own, but I wanted more. I wantedher.
And now I have her. Wedding bands and all to prove it to the world.
Chapter 26
Cassidy
The day of the end of summer event is sickeningly warm. The fall will be here soon, but these last days of summer are clinging to the town, slicking everything with sweat.
After Georgia weighs in on my outfit choices via video call, I get ready for the event, pulling on a dress Finn hasn’t seen yet, sandals, and even a little bit of makeup, keeping in mind that I’m pretty damn likely to sweat it off if I’m not careful with it.
Finn leaves me alone to get ready, and I feel the momentary jealousy that men can get ready in a spare bedroom in less than five minutes. I curl my hair, for all the good it’ll do in the lingering humidity, and make sure I’m wearing my wedding band before I go downstairs.
Finn turns when he hears my footsteps. “Ready to… whoa.” He freezes like a deer in headlights, stunned silent.
I preen a little bit, flouncing the last few steps. He looks good tonight, wearing black jeans and a short sleeve button-down with slits in the back for his wings. And, of course, his brand new wedding band. My eye is drawn to it like a magnet every time we’re in a room together. “I’m ready when you are.” He doesn’t move. “Cat got your tongue?”
“You’re fucking gorgeous, wife.” Then, like the words released him from this spell, he moves, closing the distance between us in short steps, wrapping a hand around my waist to tug me close. “Love this damned dress.”
It’s exactly like my blue wedding dress, except this one is a deep red. These dresses had been popular a few years ago, and G had insisted I looked great in them, so, buoyed with the confidence only a fifteen-year-old girl can give, I’d bought a few, and promptly never worn them. There aren’t a lot of occasions for them in towns like this—or so I thought.
Apparently, they’re great for knocking my husband speechless, though. “If we didn’t have this to go to, I’d be carrying you right back upstairs,” he promises me, voice a low rumble that makes me shiver.
“Sadly, we have places to be,” I quip, but it’s also serious. The town meeting is tomorrow night. This is essentially our last chance to be seen in town and remind everyone that I belong here.
He sighs dramatically. “Save that thought for later, then. Shall we?”
He carries me outside and then waits for me to wrap my arms around his neck before snapping his wings out. And, despite us both knowing how important tonight is, he still takes the time to fly the long way around for my sake.
When we land, the party is in full swing, the town common lit up with dozens of torches and floating magical lights. It’s too early for them, considering the sun isn’t fully set, but I’m sure they’ll look fantastic in an hour or so. The music is already blaring out of someone’s speakers. Trisha, a seventeen-year-old banshee, is on the turntable tonight. There are tables of food as far as the eye can see, games for the kids, and a hopping dance floor.
“Were we supposed to bring something?” Finn mutters, eyes on the rows of food.
“Ten dollars,” I tell him. “Helps them recoup the cost.”
He nods, and I reach for my money, but his hand catches mine before I can go any further. “What?”
“You’re not pulling that trick again,” he says. “Reaching into your bra like that. Just about killed me last time.”
When did I… “You mean the house key?”
“Yeah, that. I thought about that a lot.”
