Page 29 of Give It a Day
Chuckling bitterly, I look away, letting a few tears fall. I shake my head, having such a hard time finding an answer that isn’t drinking and hooking up. So I go for honesty again. What else do I have to lose at this point? “I’ve only known crime and violence. So I don’t know, Dae. I really don’t.”
“We’ll find it together,” he says, his voice filled with determination. I close my eyes, letting the rest of my tears spill down my heated face. I didn’t expect him to say anything remotely as sweet as that. I was prepared for him to gloat, to boast, to boss me around. But not this. Not Dae still being tender.
“Why…?” I ask, shuddering. “Why would you settle for a life just helping me, when I’m pretty much a stranger to you?”
“It’s not settling. You’re my wife.”
He looks at me, eyes as adamant as the rest of him. His shoulders are straight, his head bent down to my eye level. He looks like he means business, but my heart hums, happy to see him so hell-bent on me.
“You’re astonishing, Kaye. You’re a free spirit in a gilded cage.”
“Hey…” I scold him halfheartedly, feeling the heat grow so much worse at his unexpected praise, so I shift the focus. “That gilded cage was the only place I called home.”
He smiles, this time with warmth in it, which I could admire all day, because it feels like it’s too rare to pass on. “Is it though?” he counters, standing up and offering his hand to help me up. Without hesitation,I take it. “Or is it just metal bars you call home because it’s all you’ve ever known?”
I huff out a little laugh as he flattens the skirt of my dress. “What are you,my therapist?”
“Maybe I should be. You’ve definitely given me plenty to analyze.” He kneels, helping me put my heels on while I rest my hand on his shoulder to stay steady.
“Oh, great, I’m an A-plus psychiatric patient. A total nut job.”
He stands, sliding his hand on the small of my back. “You’re not any of that. You’re perfect—everything I could ever want in a wife. Beautiful, unafraid, never backs down.”
“I’m pretty sure if you’re pretending to be my therapist, talking to me like this is breaking some sort of regulation,” I joke, smiling up at him and reaching for his lips when I raise myself on my toes. I guess I can’t help myself. He’s saying all the right things to me again, even the parts when he tells me he wants to take rein. Because I did like letting go, oddly enough.
He tilts his head down, smiling as our eyes meet. “Maybe I’m not the ideal therapist then.”
“I’d imagine hardened criminals makeawfulhelping professionals. We’re too busy helping ourselves.”
That look of tenderness washes over his face. “Then as your husband, let me help you. And for me to do so, be honest with me.”
“I’ll try. But what will you work on?” I raise my brow, while fixing my hair. He helps me with the parts I can’t see. “I’m working on myself. So how about you, Dae?”
He raises a brow right back at me. “I’m already perfect.”
“Try again,” I say with a scoff.
He adjusts his cuffs. “Fine. I’ll work on being patient and not aspushy. Is that how you’d phrase it?”
“You push and push, and I might fall off the cliff. So be careful, Dae.”I snort out a little laugh as he holds my hand and takes us back to the reception.
“I caught you before you fell, didn’t I, little bird?” He smirks, looking so satisfied with himself. “And besides, it’s more fun when you push back against my push, isn’t it?”
I laugh lightly, not openly agreeing. Can’t keep letting him think he’s winning. Then I wonder out loud, asking, “Why do you call me that?Little bird?”
“You know how you said my appearance screamsmust spank a girl?”
“Yeah.” I laugh again and, for whatever reason, my cheeks feel warm.Definitely notfrom the way he’s being so funny, nice, and caring. Nope, I’m feeling warm probably from how breathtaking this sunset is. I mean, the sun is right on me!
Dae continues, “Since I saw you, your body language screamedready to take flight. That’s why you’re my little bird.”
He looks my way as we walk, and I glance back at him. My heart does this little dance. Is it dancing to the music that’s louder now that we reach the musicians? Or is it because of Dae? The sunset makes him look like he stepped out of a portrait.
“I’m not letting you fly away, Kaye. You’re staying by my side.You’re mine.”
I can’t believe it but my warm cheeks hurt because I’m beaming up at him. How is him saying I’mhisa good thing?Stupid heart. But would you look at that? He’s smiling right back.
The reception’s thankfully winded down by the time we return. The evening air’s nice and crisp, carrying some of that salty tang of the sea.
