Page 45 of Flawsome Explorations

“No, it’s thekanjifor the word ‘color.’ Considering how much color you bring to my cheeks and you’ve exploded my life into technicolor, it would be very appropriate.”

He tilted his head with a confused expression. “The word for ‘sexy’ has the word ’color’ in it?”

“I’m not really sure how something that transliterates as ‘color-ish’ or ‘color-like’ ended up meaning ‘sexy.’ There are a lot of phrases related to sexy that use ‘color’ in it, like ‘iro-otoko’ for ‘sexy man’ and ‘iro-me’ to describe a seductive look. But if you say ‘iroiro,’ which is thekanjifor ‘color’ twice, it means ’several’ and not anything sexy. But that’s Japanese for you.”

“So I’d be the color in your life that also has a sexy meaning? I approve.”

“Even though it’s not an actual term of endearment?”

He smiled at me, melting me all over again. “If you’re calling me that because I’m dear to you, then it’s a term of endearment to me.”

I kissed him, hoping my lips would whisper what I was too overwhelmed to express.

“Now that that’s decided, what do you say to a shower?”

“The only way I’m making it there is if you’re carrying me.” Before I had finished laughing at the absurd idea, he swept me into his arms and started heading toward the bathroom. I yelped in shock as I threw my arms around his neck to hold on tight. “Wait, I was joking!”

“Don’t worry, I’ve got you. I’ll carry you back to bed and tuck you in when we’re done. We can also sleep in tomorrow morning.”

His words were music to my ears. “If I get any happier, my heart might explode into supernova rainbows.”

“I accept your challenge.”

If anyone could make it happen, it was Armand. I didn’t know why I had been so blessed, but I’d thank all my lucky stars for the rest of time for gifting me the best partner in the entire universe.