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“It’s how my brain works.”
“You’re really imagining a real velvet co?—"
“Let’s put any talk about velvet and rods away,please.” He shook his head and set down his bag. “But the point stands, if you’re staying, I’m staying with you. Are you okay with that?”
“I’d be stuck in this tiny cabin any day. You’re just a bonus. Or a downside. It depends on how you act for the next three days.”
“I’ll be on my best behavior.”
“And I won’t. I have many behaviors, but none of them are my best.”
Levi chuckled, no evidence of surprise on his face. “I wouldn’t expect anything else. Now, what’s the first thing on your list of things to do?”
“First is dinner. Then I want to find whatever local bookstore is around here. And after, we can deal with the only-one-bed thing.”
A woman could get usedto being spoiled. Or maybe that was just me. I usually avoided going out to eat, save for the special occasions when I’d find myself at a local eatery when I had the money. But the family business never paid me enough for luxuries, and I’d gone without for far too long.
The same didn’t go for Levi. He told me to order whatever I wanted and I intended to take him up on it.
The restaurant was somewhere I would have never been able to afford going to on my own. It was a Gatlinburg staple nestled in a log cabin. I’d always wanted to come here for the massive plates of delicious food alone, but it was considered a fancier place. The staff was dressed up and each table had a candle and flowers lit on its surface. Years ago, it had been way out of Gram’s and my budget. I couldn’t imagine what it cost now.
We were put in a back corner that was quiet, and I found myself wishing I’d packed one of my nice dresses rather than only leggings and T-shirts.
“Oh myGod,”I said when I opened my menu and saw the prices.
“What?” he asked.
“Nothing.” My voice was high. “Inflation iswild.Are you sure you don’t want a burrito out of a taco truck?”
“I only find the best for my wife, especially on our honeymoon.”
My cheeks heated as they always did when he called mehis wife.He said it with such emphasis that it sounded so important to him. “You don’t have to call me that when it’s just the two of us.”
“On the contrary,” he said, “it’s what you are. Just like I’m your husband.”
“Yes, but I don’t call you that.”
“You should.”
“I prefer realism. Right now, you’re a pain in my ass.”
“I’m also your husband, which you seem to be avoiding saying.”
I rolled my eyes. “You’ve met me. I have no filter.”
“Then say it. Right now. Call me your husband.”
Was it possible for people to explode from embarrassment? “Y-you’re my husband.”
“Good,” he said. “But it still seems like we need practice.”
“Practice for what?”
“Being in love when we get back.” He said it like it was obvious. “Isra’s already asking if we’re okay. Apparently, we still seem stiff around each other, and we need to iron that out before we run into Calvin.”
“Right.” I nodded shallowly. “So more flirting. And more practice. You’re really dedicated to this, huh?”
“Perfection is my specialty.”