Page 68 of Operation Annulment
The barn is silent except for the sounds of our heavy breathing as we try to return to earth.
He props himself up on his forearms and looks down at me, still out of breath. “That was incredible.”
I push the hair back off his forehead and smile before noticing the sky growing dark. “Um, Nate? What time did your mom say that dinner was?”
He checks his watch. “Fuck. Okay, so we’re a little late.”
It’s completely dark outside when we pull up in front of the house. I pull my helmet off and leave it on the seat before rushing toward the front door.
Nate grabs my hand, pulling me back toward his body. “You trust me?”
I nod, confused. “Yes, what’s going on?”
He only smiles and leads me into the house. Everyone but Daniel is gathered around the table, waiting to eat.
“Hey guys, sorry we’re late. I have a little announcement to make. Kate and I got married.”
Bev’s eyes widen in surprise and she starts shrieking. “What! Like just now? Is that where you’ve been?”
Nate is still standing behind me, his hands resting on my hips, and I hate that I can’t see the look on his face. He laughs softly. “No, Mom. Not just now…a while ago.”
“October 14th, to be exact,” I add helpfully, and his hands squeeze me. I feel a slight tremor of pleasure at his touch and wonder if a body is capable of orgasm aftershocks.
His dad stands up. “Well, I’ve heard of waiting a few months to announce a pregnancy but never a marriage. Congratulations.”
He pulls both of us into a hug as Bev dances around. “Married? I can’t believe it. This is amazing.”
Daniel runs in with a crayon and begins dancing with her. “Why are we dancing, Grams?”
She picks him up and swings him around. “Because Uncle Nate and Aunt Katy got married!” Then she lowers her voice to mock whisper, “And Grams is gonna get more grandbabies.”
My cheeks flood with heat at the thought just as Garrett decides to speak up.
“Were y’all up in the loft?”
Nate nods. “Yeah, why?”
Garrett taps a spoonful of mashed potatoes against his plate with a knowing grin. “Because Kate still has some hay in her hair. Mom, you might get your wish sooner than you think.”
twenty-six
COMMANDMENT #27: THOU SHALT NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO MAKE THEM A FOOL
Kate
“So, you spent the entire weekend in bed?” Nicole raises her eyebrows, and I nod happily.
“Once we told his family, every secret was out there. I can’t even put into words how perfect it was; the sex was different too—better.”
She tucks a strand of blonde hair behind one ear. “So, what about the ex? Did he ever explain what happened between them?”
I recount everything he told me and her mouth falls open. She gets up from her chair and starts pacing. “Okay… okay. Surely millions of people deal with this…”
“What’s wrong?”
She shakes her head. “I counseled a woman a few years ago. She’d been in a car accident and lost her memory.” She sinks back down onto the chair. “Through our sessions, she recovered enough of her memory to realize her husband was having an affair with her best friend.”
I stand up and walk over to the window, holding the ledge in a death grip. “What was the best friend’s name?”
