Page 136 of Wallflower

“I’m good, Jack. What about you?”

“Maple’s cut me off from bacon. So, I’m dying a slow death.”

“I’m sure you sneak a piece here and there.”

“Shhh! Don’t tell her that!”

“It’s not like I’m an idiot, Jack. Especially when the grease is dripping from your damn chin!”

Jack darts from view, salt-and-pepper hair slipping behind the wall, hoping to avoid a scolding from his wife.

“Jack!” Maple calls.

“Whatcha need, love?”

She rolls her eyes, looking to Rose, “Don’t let this one sweet talk you.” She juts her chin at me. “He can be a smooth-talker.”

“Don’t I know it,” Rose laughs.

“Why am I under fire?”

“Because you’re a man,” Maple retorts. “Oh, Jack?”

“Yes, light of my life. What do you need?”

“Ripley’s got a date out here!”

“A date, you say? Who’d be foolish enough to smooch that gutter palate?”

My gaze swings to Rose, who’s working really hard to smother her laughter.Fuck, she’s gorgeous.

“Come see for yourself!”

Jack re-emerges from the back, kitchen doors swinging behind him, pulling my attention.

“You got a little…” I say, rubbing the corner of my mouth.

Jack picks up on the gesture, wiping the bacon grease from his lips while Maple scowls.

Risking his life, he sidles up next to his wife. A quick peck to her cheek melts her cold expression, and stars dance in her eyes.

Is that what love is supposed to look like? Warm, unending adoration and devotion? Not a snarling, ugly beast upon your chest?

Jack and Maple have been together since their adolescent years, and are nearing their mid-fifties together. The only day of the year they close the cafe is their anniversary, having vowed to spend it together until the end of their days. Any other special occasions they share with the island folk, claiming celebration and joy should be felt by all. But their love, it’s just for them. Even if it’s infused itself into the very walls of this small café they share, and leaks out into the air around us now.

Jack finally drags his gaze away from Maple, sweeping it over me to Rose. “She’s not from around here. Where did you find her, son?”

My gaze darts to Maple. With a slight shake of her head, she tells me to ignore the slip-up. Their son passed away on a fishing trip three years ago. One of the notorious island storms swept in like a wrecking ball, capsizing the boat with its whipping winds and towering waves, leaving nothing but the scraps of the ship floating amongst the jagged rocks when it dissipated. Every now and then, Jack drops an endearment. It doesn’t bother me, as these two are the closest thing I’ve ever had to parental figures. But it cuts like a deadly blade against the weak spots in Maple’s armour.

Looking to Jack, I let loose a big smile, wrapping my arm around Rose’s shoulders and tugging her close. “She was on thatcruise that came through not too long ago.” Rose’s shocked gaze swings to mine. “I saw her step off the gangway, and just had to meet her.”

With a lazy grin, I turn her way. The heat in her eyes could melt my cock right off, and suddenly I’m not hungry for anything but her. If I had to hazard a guess, she feels the same.

“That sounds lovely,” Maple says.

“Yeah, simply meant to be,” Jack smiles.

“It’s not that sweet…” Rose pipes up. All gazes shoot to her, shock on every face. “I thought I had a stalker.”