Page 92 of Afterglow
“I have a knack for it. Special nerve-detection powers.” I wrinkle my nose, teasing. “But why’s that?” My thumb rubs the spot at the base of her left hand’s ring finger, like I’ve done since she first let me hold her hand. But this time, the space is occupied with dark blue sapphires circling the Nishapur turquoise set on a rose gold band.
“Oh, no reason in particular!” Bea throws her free arm up in exasperation within our business class suite. “It’s not like we secretly eloped in Spain this summer or anything.”
My grin goes devilish. “We did do that, didn’t we?”
It was perfect. Simple, private. So many of my dreams came true within the span of just a few hours.
Behraz fakes a whiny sob. “What if they get mad? Indi and Gabe are scary older sister-types. I’m a younger sister. I’m not built for that kinda scrutiny?—”
“Hey, listen,” I cut in. “They won’t be anything but happy for us.”
The worry line splitting her brow persists. “Yeah?”
I nod. “Especially after they see the pictures.”
The afterglow of the setting sun from the top of El Tajo De Ronda in Málaga bathed Bea in soft light, making everything a deeper shade than it already was: her flower crown of bougainvillea and pale pink hibiscus, her salmon-colored gown, the shade of her lips. The stone arches of the bridge over the gorge, the surging waterfall below; it was nothing short of a fairy tale, a fantasy world coming to life from beyond the pages of my imagination.
“You’re right,” my wife concedes. “But just this once.”
I lose myself in the stunning memory, cherishing the best day of my life for a few moments until she interrupts.
“We’re not gonna make it to Gabe’s baby shower, are we?”
“Sorry, my love.” I tut. “Looks like the hand squeezing didn’t work.”
Her head hangs in disappointment, and I take the opportunity to leave a kiss on her hair. “We’ll head over first thing tomorrow, after a decent night’s rest at home.”
“Okay.”
Visits to Ottawa had been few since we moved abroad, alternating holidays between Prince Edward Island and meeting her family in Dubai, but we kept the apartment. I couldn’t get myself to sell the place where we first fell in love. Everything else could be temporary, but this way, it’d always be ours.
“I have an idea.” My elbow nudges her arm. “Might not work, but maybe it’ll make you feel better.”
Her gaze slides to mine, open to yet wary of the suggestion. She continues to pout. It doesn’t make her lips any less tempting.
“What if I kiss you until you can’t stop smiling?”
The plush pink bow of her mouth turns up at the edges. “That might be nice. Will there be tongue?”
“If you want.”
“Oh, good.” Her mouth closes into mine as we lean towards each other. “I’ve been meaning to cross ‘make out with the love of my life on an airplane’ off my bucket list.”
“What a coincidence,” I tease. “Me too.”
The elevator up to Wade and Gabe’s penthouse dings at every floor. I’d sent a message in the group chat when we landed, and a last-minute brunch got thrown together.
I’ve ridden this thing a hundred times, but it feels different today. I’m married. To Behraz Irani. A woman I fantasized about for most of my twenties.
“You’re staring,” Bea clips.
Am I not supposed to be? She’s gorgeous, and right when I think I can’t possibly love her any more, I surprise myself. It’s nothing short of miraculous that I find myself loving her more every day.
“It’s the dress, isn’t it?” she asks, pulling her coat panels over her chest. “It’s too tight.”
I deny the ridiculous claim. “It’s perfect.”
Behraz rolls her eyes to me, not wanting to believe it.
