Page 74 of My Husband Problem

Astrid looks at the statue, then at my foot, then up at me. She wrinkles her nose. “Sorry again.”

“I’m not upset about the bodily harm. I’m upset that your porch is cockblocking me.”

Evidently, my use of the term ‘cockblocking’ surprises her because she lets out a quick puff of air and laughs. “Yeah. I didn’t expect that.”

“The rickety porch to be a problem?”

“Us to be doing this.”

I sift my fingers through her hair. “Well, that is very unfortunate. I should’ve spent the entire past twenty months letting you know how much I wanted to do this.”

She presses her lips together, then lets out a breath. “Things haven’t been very traditional between us.”

“But at least we know the attraction is real.”

“Yes.” She suddenly swallows hard. “It is.”

I look toward the door, then back to her. “So we should?—”

I’m about to suggest that we should go inside and continue, but she looks down at the porch. “My otter’s arm is broken.”

I look down at the statue, and sure enough, one of the arms is lying next to it, detached.

“Oh shit. What happens when these otters get damaged? Do we need to hide the evidence and fix it ourselves without anyone knowing?”

She shakes her head with a small smile. “We’ll take him to the otter doctor.”

“A veterinarian?” It would not surprise me if the vet here in Rebel also fixed animal statues.

Her laugh is louder. “Well, yes, there are those. But there’s also someone who fixes the statues. Obviously, things like this happen sometimes.”

“Thank God. I didn’t want to be cursed.”

Her smile fades as she studies my face. “We should probably take this slow.”

She’s right. Of course. But I do not want to take it slow. “Haven’t webeentaking it slow?” I ask.

She nods. “I guess in some ways. It has been over a year.”

I take a deep breath, then step back, dropping my hands from her body. “We can take the physical stuff slow. Of course. We’re not going to do anything you’re not ready for. That you don’t want. Ever,” I say, emphasizing the last word. “But I need you to know that I want you. In every way. And I’m here now.”

“It’s only been a day.”

“But again, it’s also been twenty months. I’m done giving you space, being a long-distance husband. I know this seems fast,but I have been caring about you and falling for you over the past twenty months. So now that I’m here, this might feel fast. But it’s not.”

I don’t think she’s breathing at this point. Her eyes are wide, her lips parted.

But the look in her eyes is not one of panic, or shock, or disgust, or fear.

She looks almost hopeful. And excited.

“Falling for me?” she asks softly.

“I am an extremely intelligent man, Astrid,” I tell her. “I have met thousands of people. Traveled extensively. Done a million interesting things. Being inside your orbit, even the distant orbit, of course I’m falling for you.”

“Oh.”

“Oh? Is that a good oh?”