Page 62 of Bloom: Part 2

“Crowe.”

“What?”

“I don’t want to use his parents’ last name on his birth certificate. Do you mind if I use yours?”

He opened his mouth, but no sound came out. After a few seconds, he nodded, then entered the clubhouse. “Don’t you know not to eavesdrop?” he said as Bloom walked outside. He stuck his tongue out at Crowe’s back. He could be so childish at times.

He was so young. According to the birthdate Crowe had given me, Bloom was only nineteen. It was easier to pretend he was older when we didn’t know his birthdate. He was less than half my age.

“You didn’t kill each other.” He raised his arms and wrapped them around my neck. I spanned his waist with my hands, pulling him closer.

“We talked. About you.”

“I know.”

“How much did you hear?”

“Almost everything. We’re really going to celebrate my birthday twice? I don’t mind if you choose a date.”

“We’ll need to add one to your ID and birth certificate, but yeah, we’ll celebrate on both days so we never miss the right day.”

“I like that. I also like that you’re giving me Crowe’s last name before I take yours. This way I’ll have a piece of you both.” He jerked his head back. “I mean—”

“It’s okay, Bloom.” I grinned. “Besides, why do you think I’m giving you his name? On paper, it’ll be recorded that you’re related.”

“So what? The twins are related but still fucking.”

“But they’re an anomaly.”

“Anomaly. What’s that?”

“Different from the norm.”

“Oh. Should we go back inside now? Grimm’s waiting to carve the turkey.”

“Just a minute.” I squeezed him against me a little. “Are you sure you want to marry me?”

“Yeah, of course.”

“Bloom—”

“Hmm?” He bit his bottom lip, playing with the hair at my nape.

“There are things about me you don’t know,” I said softly. “Some things I wish you never have to know. Is that okay with you?”

He went silent.

“Bloom.”

“Is it somebody else? A family somewhere that I’m going to have to fight for you?”

“No.” Technically not the kind of family he was talking about.

“Then I don’t care as long as I’ve got you. We all got secrets and a past. Mine’s as black as coal, and you still love me. Don’t you?”

“I do.” I dropped a kiss on his lips. “All right, then, let’s go in.”

But despite his reassurance that he didn’t care about my past, his earlier words echoed in my head.