Page 18 of Fate Forever and Always

He went right into playing. I could tell he had been practicing without me. I was so proud.

On one of the breaks, I could tell he still had a few questions to ask. “What's up? You look like you have another question.”

“Where is your ring?”

I looked down at my hand, my heart aching a little. I sat next to him on the bench. “I realized it wasn't meant for me, so I gave it back.”

He seemed to be appeased by that answer. He just turned back to the keys and continued playing.

Since Aubrey and I were both music teachers, we came up with the idea of doing a mini-music show once a year with some of our students. Nick has offered the school auditorium for us to use. I’m super excited about the kids being able to show off all the work they’ve put into music. I had about eight months left to prepare the kids for the show, which would be held at the end of May. I can already tell Cooper’s performance is going to be great.

I had one more student after Cooper. Luckily, I made it through both lessons without throwing up. Note to self: do notget drunk the night before little kids are going to be banging on piano keys; you will regret your life choices and want to stab your ears with a pen.

I took a nice hot shower and was planning to relax until I realized we had absolutely no food in the house. I really should cook Nick dinner as a thank-you for last night’s escapades. I texted him and asked if there was anything specific that he wanted tonight.

Nick

Hemorrhoid cream, thanks, Sweets. You're the best.

I am not buying hemorrhoid cream, asshole.

Do you need any food? I’m being serious.

Nick

No, whatever you make is good. You’re no fun, lol. I was trying to make you smile, dummy.

He did make me smile. A smile seemed to be permanently stuck on my face, especially when he was involved.

I grabbed what I needed from the grocery store and headed home to cook. I figured tacos were a good thank-you meal since they are his favorite. I opted not to drink tonight so my body could recover a little since I knew I’d be drowning myself in alcohol again tomorrow on my would-be wedding day.

I still didn’t know what the hell I was going to do about the honeymoon. Part of me didn’t want to go alone, but the other part thought it would be great to have some fun alone and relax without anyone I knew.

That’s when the best idea I’ve ever had popped into my head…Nick. I could also use it as a way to say, “Thank you for letting me move in when I was a complete and broken mess” type of thing. A big plus is that he will make sure I don’t get lost and die in a foreign place. We could both enjoy the time off work in the warm weather together. I will book another room for him because one bed would just be awkward.

I had set the table and prepared the tacos when he texted me to let me know he was on his way home.

“Honey, I’m home,” Nick said as he chuckled and shut the door.

I called out from the kitchen, “Sit. Your food is ready.”

“Yes, dear.” he chuckled.

I was quieter than usual as we ate. I was afraid to bring it up because I already knew he was going to refuse. I think he could tell something was off because he kept smirking. Once he finished his drink, he placed his cup down and stared at me. “Okay, spill. Something is on your mind. Let it out.”

I smiled. “I have an idea that I think you’re gonna like,” I said.

“Do tell,” Nick said, intrigued.

“Now, don’t laugh. I’m being one hundred percent serious. I will get you your own room.” Nick sat up straighter, his smirk becoming a look of worry, almost like he was scared. “Come on the honeymoon with me. We can make it a fun vacation. Everything is already paid for; we can have fun doing best-friend shit.”

He put his taco down and just stared at me blankly. “You’re serious? When is it?”

“It won’t be until October because we planned to go when Jake’s work slowed down in the colder months.”

“Where is it? I don’t think you ever told us.”

“The Bahamas, for a few weeks,” I explained.

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