Page 58 of Perfect Boy

But maybe this marriage…isn’t so fake after all. It sure doesn’t feel fake. And my feelings, they are real.

Just like moving pieces on a chessboard, things can change in the blink of an eye. It seems that might be what’s happening here when it comes to my marriage.

21

Watson

“I’ve never gotten to be a tourist before,” Ryann says, gazing around at the streets of Savannah. “I mean, I guess I technically am a tourist, but I’ve never gotten to go exploring for the day and play the part.” She beams up at me, talking a zillion words a minute. “I am so excited. Are you excited?”

“I’ve actually never been to Savannah before, but I’ve always wanted to come here.” I hold my phone up, showing her all the things I booked for us to do. “I might have gotten a little excited when you said yes to coming away with me, and then I stayed up till two in the morning, watching YouTube videos on the best things to do in the area.” My lips form a line. “I’m a nerd like that. I watch videos, and I read reviews. Don’t judge me.”

She gives me a look, and the panic inside of me sets in. I know that, sometimes, I probably do too much. I’ve been an overachiever my entire life. And when it comes to her, I’m more than okay with that title.

Before I can apologize for being overkill, she throws her arms around me and buries her face into my shirt. “Watson Gentry, you are truly the best husband a girl could ask for.” Pulling back, she looks up at me. “I mean that.”

“When I’m married to you, it’s not hard. Trust me.” I wink before pointing toward our first destination. “Let’s go. We’re burning daylight.”

As she turns slowly, I slap her ass and then give it a little squeeze, making her yelp.

She might roll her eyes like she’s annoyed, but the pink in her cheeks tells me otherwise.

I’ll be slapping her ass a lot more times tonight. And a lot harder.

Ryann

It almost doesn’t feel real. This day. How can it be real when it’s been so flawless? Like something out of a fairy tale that happens to princesses in beautiful gowns with the sweetest, softest souls. Not ones like me. Things like this don’t happen to girls like me.

But maybe…they could? I mean, they are.

He’s made this day perfect. Our first stop was a riverboat ride, followed by a crazy scavenger hunt, where I thought I might actually pee my pants from laughing so hard, and then we stuffed our faces with the most delicious cupcakes.

I’ve made up my mind…this is the best day ever.

As we walk hand in hand down the cobblestones that make up River Street, I pull my jacket tighter around myself. It’s far from the cold weather, like December in Canada, but now that the sun has gone down, it’s cool enough to chill my bones a bit and make my body shiver. And yet I still don’t want this night to end.

Gazing up at the buildings, I find myself in awe at the beauty of them. Some look so old yet have held their integrity and truly make this entire street the astonishing place that it is. I could definitely see myself coming back here to visit again.

We walk along until we find a bench near a coffee cart. And once I plop myself down, he walks over to it before returning with a single cup and handing it to me.

“What’s this?” I smile, taking it from him. “And where’s yours?”

“You know I don’t drink that coffee shit that you are so obsessed with.” He shrugs before sitting down next to me. “I’ve heard you order coffee before so I just tried to order that as close as I could. If it sucks, I’m sorry, and please don’t spit it out on me.”

I bring the cup to my lips, taking a sip of the hot liquid. And even though it’s far from my usual back at the coffee shop at Brooks, coffee is coffee. Besides, Watson thoughtfully got it for me.

Leaning back a little, he smirks. “Drink up, Tiny Dancer. You’re going to need your energy tonight.”

My heart beats faster, and my cheeks heat. I’m already dying from anticipation. I’ve wanted his hands on my body all day. But I’m glad we spent the day doing real couple things besides just taking our clothes off.

Even though taking our clothes off sounds really fun right about now.

I look at him, and this feeling of comfort washes over me. Like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be. And where I’m supposed to be is with him.

My husband.

This wasn’t supposed to be a forever thing. And the man I was so determined not to care about, I’m falling for.

Scratch that. I’ve already fallen.

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