Page 67 of Bleeding Hearts
“That isn’t sticking,” I warn as I wander away, and she skips after me.
“Apple? Orange? I know, pomegranate!”
Shaking my head, I try to hide my smile, but her happiness is infectious. I walk over to the machine and put my coins in. WhenI remember Alice is still holding that man’s, I take them from her, toss them in the trash, and gesture at the machine stuffed with rainbow teddies.
“Go on then, baby.” I lean against the side and watch her as she looks at the controls and then moves the claw. The crane comes down, barely touching anything, and jerks back. Groaning, she tries again and again . . .
And again.
I keep adding coins, and each time it misses, she grows more annoyed. I don’t tell her she looks so fucking cute when she’s mad. Instead, I cover my mouth and watch as she fails again.
“Want me to try?” I offer.
“No, I can get one,” she snaps, her face twisted in determination as she glares at the game. When she fails again, she looks at me with so much rage, I have to bite back my laugh. “It’s rigged.”
“Okay, baby.” Kissing her head, I gently move her out of the way and add more coins. After watching her, I think I have it down. Jerking the lever up, I wait until the last second then turn it right and hit the button. It descends slowly and grips the bear. I grin as it lifts it, and when it drops the plushie in the slot, we both cheer.
I grab it and hand it to her. Alice clutches it to her chest with loving eyes. “You are so amazing.”
“I’m good with my hands,” I remind her, and a deep blush stains her cheeks.
A commotion catches our attention, and we turn to see a guy in a gaming jacket winning bear after bear farther down. Girls and guys surround him, collecting the plushies as they cheer him on and take pictures, but he seems oblivious.
“Oh, I wonder who he is,” Alice whispers.
“Looks like he’s from Solar. He’s wearing their jacket. Come on, before we’re swarmed.” I lead her away, and we explore therest of the floor. Alice finds some coin machines and pays for a ball. When she opens it, she shows me a spiked heart sticker.
“It’s a temporary tattoo,” she says. “Get one.”
I put my coin in and open my ball as she starts to apply hers to the back of her hand with a wet wipe from her bag. Mine is a bird, so I put in a few more coins until I get the matching heart, then I discard the others on the side for someone else to use as I hold out my hand. “Here, put mine on me.”
She glances up and smiles when she sees it’s the same. “It matches mine!”
“Lucky me, I guess,” I tease as she delicately presses it onto my hand and blows on it, her warm breath making me shiver. When she’s done, she looks at mine and then hers. “Cute.”
“Just like you. Come on, I better feed you before you get hangry.” I loop my arm through hers and steer her away.
“I won’t,” she mutters.
I nod. “Sure thing, baby.”
She’s happy after eating, and we change into comfy pajamas and get under my duvet. I put on her latest show as she cuddles into my side and pay attention as much as I can, knowing she enjoys this episode and likes to talk about it. I’ve even tried to watch her old favorites, but I haven’t had much time.
Contentment rolls through me as I look down at her smiling. This is where she always belonged—in my arms, my bed, and my life. I was an idiot to push her away. No matter what happens, we are together now, and I won’t let her go, but what I promised her is true—I’ll keep her safe no matter what it takes.
She’d be mad if she knew what I planned, but I can handle her anger.
I soak up this hard-won peace we have. I know it won’t last, not after everything that will happen, so I make the most of it while I can. This is what I would miss most, not the crazy dates or even the sex—her just at my side, making me feel complete.
I just hope I’m around long enough to experience it again.
CHAPTER THIRTY
Bones looks flabbergasted as he sits down with Lally at the table I scored outside. She slides my drink and sandwich over and places a whole cake in front of her.
“What?” I ask Bones as he glares at Lally.
“She stabbed me with a fork for that cake,” he mutters.
