Page 73 of Extra Witchy

“Now, if you tell me somebody was trying to get your number, then I might have to investigate and pull some hair,” Leanne added, mostly to revel in how he perked up.

“I did get a few looks that night,” Trev said. “Not near as many as Dante, to be candid. But once they noticed the ring, they moved on.”

Smiling, she traced a fingertip around the simple silver ring he’d chosen in Vegas. “It is clearly part of a wedding set.”

“I know. I love that.”

“Wearing half of a wedding ring set?”

Smiling slightly, he clarified, “Being married to you.”

“It’s working out great for me too.”

He pulled her with him onto the couch and settled into a snuggle. “This is the life. Let’s not move for the rest of the day.”

“But—”

“Must you crush my modest dreams?”

“We’ll need to eat. And pee. Eventually.”

Trev laughed. “There you go again with your relentless logic.”

“Are you misquotingFuturamain my vicinity?”

“Actually, yes, but I’m surprised that you know that.”

“That’s from Fry’s ex, right?” Leanne asked.

“Got it in one. Let’s watch cartoons all day, like real functional adults,” he suggested.

She considered the offer then made a strong counter. “Only if I’m allowed to eat ice cream out of the carton.”

“You drive a hard bargain. I’ll get the spoons.”

The sheer easy joy of being with him buoyed her up like she was full of helium. Trev delivered her favorite gourmet ice cream from the freezer and cuddled up to her, feeding her bites as they queued up a cartoon marathon for the afternoon. She’d never been with anyone like him, who didn’t ask for anything or make demands, as if just breathing the same air was enough.

And she feared down to her bones that such precious, simple happiness couldn’t last.

***

A ringing phone dragged Trev awake a few days later.

It’s mine.

He answered with a groggy, “What?” without looking at the screen.

Junie spoke so fast that it was a little hard to follow. “Sorry to bother you so early, but I thought Leanne should know. Her dad is in the hospital, and it looks like he doesn’t have long. If she wants to meet him…”

Suddenly, he was wide awake, gazing at his sleeping wife, wishing he didn’t have to dump this on her like a bucket of icy water. But she’d said that if the old man made it until after the election, she’d decide then. It was time. So he whispered, “I’ll let her know. Text me the information about where he is.”

Almost as soon as they hung up, his cell vibrated with the name and address of the hospital, along with the room number. Bracing himself, he went to wake her, but her eyes opened on their own, and she lay staring up at him, her eyes too bright. She reached up to touch his cheek as if he was the one who needed comforting.

“Looks like I’m destined to do this, huh?”

“Do what?”

“Play out the sad goodbye scene for a father I don’t even know.”

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