Page 123 of Three Pucking Words
“Because of how your face lit up as soon as you stepped inside,” I explain, locking eyes with her as they lift to meet mine. “I could tell that you felt like this was home. And I felt it too. What really sealed the deal was when you stepped into the first bedroom and said Gemma would love the mural on the wall. No hesitation. No question. That’s when I knew this was the one.”
Her eyes become glassy, but I know the tears aren’t because she’s sad. “I knew you were being weird this week” is what she says, making a laugh bubble out of me.
I lift a shoulder. “It killed me not to tell you, but I figured you wouldn’t mind if I went ahead and did this. I showed Gem, Joe, and Helen the pictures. They all love it. And the realtor gave me a number for a contractor who can help us with the studio renovation when we’re ready.”
Honor is quiet for a long time, and I wonder if maybe I fucked up. Should I have told her? Did she not love this house as much as I thought she did?
All of that worry goes away when she reaches over and cups her hand over mine. “I love you.”
Three fucking words.
Three words that change my life.
I’ve heard them before. From Gemma. From friends. From my parents. But hearing them from Honor is an entirely different feeling.
“Say it again,” I tell her, swallowing past the lump in my throat.
Honor smiles. “I love you, Bodhi.”
I close my eyes and take a deep breath. “How badly do you want food right now? I ordered all of this from Red’s, which your dad said was your favorite diner as a kid. But I can warm it up later.”
She knows exactly why I’m asking. “I could wait a little while longer…”
That’s all it takes for me to come over to her, bend down, and kiss her.
I claim her mouth.
Her cunt.
And everything in between.
Right before I come, before I dive into the sea of bliss with her wrapped around me, I lean forward and brush my lips against her ear to whisper, “I love you too, honey.”
She breaks apart the same time I do, riding the wave of pleasure that crashes into both of us.
Because three words…
Three words have changed everything.
EPILOGUE
Bodhi
Two Years Later
The kitchen islandis covered in flour when I walk in, and a collection of dirty bowls, pans, and measuring cups litter the countertop.
As soon as Gemma sees me, she squeals and tries hiding the container of cookies that Honor is filling. “Close your eyes, Daddy! It’s a surprise!”
I immediately do as she asks, stopping at the open archway. “Is it my birthday?”
A little giggle comes from the nine-year-old, who’s grown way too much. It’s a sound I’ve missed while traveling for work. “I can’t tell you what it’s for. It’s a surprise, silly.”
“Yeah, silly,” Honor chides in amusement.
The last time they surprised me with baked goods, it’d been a plate full of double chocolate cookies that were so hard I hurt my tooth on them. To this day, I still don’t know how they did that. “Are these anything like the hockey pucks you made me last Easter?”
A soft snort escapes Honor. I know without looking that she’s probably smiling at the reminder of their first baking adventure. I’d forced myself to eat two of them before Honor told me I didn’t have to pretend I liked them. It wasn’t until Gemma went to bed that she threw them out. “Okay,” she says, clicking the container closed. “You can open your eyes.”
