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“That sounds surprisingly simple. And you’ve known the kids for a while, so it’s not as though you’re some strange man coming into their home.”
“Exactly. I don’t think we need to complicate it more than that.”
“The simpler our story, the easier it is to remember. Should we decide on...?” I couldn’t bring myself to say it.
“What?” Nick inquired.
I hoped he would get the hint, but clearly he didn’t. “You know, D-day.”
“I didn’t think about that.”
“And about what kind of ceremony we want.”
“Fuck, I didn’t think about that at all.”
“I can work out some details. I’m guessing both of us would want to just get it over with at city hall, right?”
“What an enthusiastic way to put it,” Nick teased.
I sighed. “I’m sorry. I know that sounded very terse.”
“No, I’m joking. Yeah, city hall sounds good. Are you going to tell your parents?”
“Of course. I can’t keep something like this from them. Do you want to keep it from yours? I couldn’t imagine that working out.”
“Nah, there are no secrets in my family. And as I said, they’ll be supportive. Allison, don’t fret about city hall right now.It depends when they have free slots. For now, it’s all about meeting Bob and Sophie, right?”
“That’s right. I always like to think two steps ahead, but I should start to accept that that’s not really possible here.”
“That’s my girl.”
I liked the sound of that so much.My girl.
“I’m sure I’ll make a mistake or two, but this is not about having the perfect story,” he continued. “Even if it were real, enough people would question why we’re hurrying. Let’s roll with the punches.”
“I’m trying. God, I’m tense.”
“The same spot as last time?”
“Yeah.”
“Pity I’m not there to relieve the pressure.”
I swallowed hard.
“But soon I will be.” His tone was teasing but also sinful. I pressed my thighs together as heat flooded my body. I was a goner.
“I’m going to take a hot bath. That usually relaxes all of my tense points.”
“That’s right, you like hot baths.”
“Why do you say it like that?” I asked.
“I figure that knowing some things about you won’t hurt.”
“Oh, right. You think that’ll come up in conversation?”
“No, but see, for me to actually come up with stories, it helps if I have something to base them on.”