Page 122 of Three Pucking Words
She nods. “I’m doing the wedding.”
I press a kiss against the top of her head. “I’m glad to hear that, honey.”
She nibbles her bottom lip. “Maybe I can expand my photography again in Connecticut. Start a business of my own.”
It’s Joe who says, “Connecticut?”
Since I don’t know all the details, it’s not something I plan on announcing anytime soon to people. But Joe and Helen are different. “It looks like we may be moving closer to you.”
Their faces brighten with the news.
I turn back to Honor. “And I really like the sound of that, Honor. I’ll do whatever I can to help you start something. We’ll figure it out.”
Gemma breaks us up with her excited squeal, pulling a very unenthusiastic Sebastian along with her.
Honor covers her mouth to hide her smile.
Joe chuckles.
And I crack the biggest grin. “Oh. That is definitely winding up on the internet, bro.”
He glares at me.
And hours later, we post a picture together that racks up more likes than my last game-day pic taken by Honor herself.
*
Honor’s soft gigglesecho in the empty room that’s lit only by the candles I spent over thirty minutes lighting. Her eyes are closed as I lead her to the table covered in white linen, with plates, cutlery, and food that I spent over an hour ordering, driving to pick up, and trying to keep warm.
“Can I open them yet?” she asks, still holding onto me with one hand and Puck’s leash with the other.
I stop her by her seat and let go. “Yes.”
When she sees the room, empty save the round table and two chairs set up in the middle, she slowly turns to me. “When did you have time to do this?” she asks in awe.
Then she takes another look around the room and sucks in a breath. “Is this the house on Elm?”
The wallpaper accent wall across from us gives it away. “You said it was your favorite.”
She blinks, glancing from the walls to the table, and then at me. “The realtor let you do this?”
My lips pull up at the corners. “Sit down, honey.” I slide her seat out and gesture for her to sit before pushing her in. Then I round the table and take mine across from her. Puck sits beside us, staring longingly at the bowl of food that I put out for him, so I nod and he goes over and begins eating his dinner.
“You said this was your favorite place,” I begin, getting her attention. “None of the other places we looked at compared.And there’s a house out back that can easily be converted into a studio for you to finally start your own business.”
Her throat bobs.
We’ve been looking at different houses in Connecticut since I called Yokav to accept his offer. It wasn’t until the ink was dried on the contract when Honor and I got serious about checking out the real estate. We considered school districts, the amount of acreage for Gemma and Puck to run around on, and extra rooms for a family to grow.
Someday.
“So,” I continue, reaching into my pocket and pulling out a key. When she sees me slide it over to her, her eyes widen. “I put in an offer and the owners accepted.”
The breath she releases is quiet. “But…” She blinks, gaping at the silver key. “You liked the other ones.”
I chuckle. “Honey, I liked them all. You want to know why I lovedthis one,though?”
She slowly nods, as if entranced by the polished metal. “Why?”
