Page 59 of Harbinger

“Yeah, we just got married two days ago, right, big guy?”

Ronan’s eyes flicker to mine for a moment at the nickname before he nods. “Best day of my life,”

“I was so lucky to have him when they died. Really. The support was really appreciated.” I nod, pulling him in tighter to me.

“I’m so glad you’re doing great, sweetie,” his wife tells me, and I smile at her. I don’t know if she’s an innocent party to any of this, and frankly, I don’t really care much. No one can live with a monster and not be even a little suspicious. But she’s always been nice to me.

“Thank you so much, Rebecca, you look so great.” She looks at me appreciatively. I’m sure Jeffrey barely tells her good morning.

“How long have you two been together?” Jeffrey quizzes, biting his cheek. He’s gone completely grey in his old age, his teeth yellowing, his beard patchy.

“About a year and a half, right, love?” I ask, looking up at Ronan.

“I think so. It feels like just yesterday, doesn’t it? Time flies when you’re with the right person.”

“You’re Emmerson’s aid, aren’t you, kid?” Jeffrey asks Ronan, his back straighter as he tucks his hands into his pockets.

“Yes, sir, I love working with him.”

For a moment, I wonder if we’re overdoing it. We may be. But the point is we just need to get Jeffrey’s wheels turning, that’s about it. That’s the goal. If we overdo it, what’s he going to do? We’re legally married; that much is true.

Jeffrey grunts, not saying a word as he grabs his wife and turns away from us, heading to the dining room.

“That was weird, right?” I whisper to Ronan.

“As weird as any of this. You may have overdone it a little bit there.”

I scoff. “What do you mean I overdid it, Mr.time flies when you’re with the right person.”

Ronan rolls his eyes, grabbing my hand with a smile and pulling me in the direction of the dining room as well. We find the table we’re supposed to sit out, standing around it as we speak to other couples here.

“I feel like I’ve seen you around. Did you have black hair at some point?” a woman asks me as Ronan wraps his arm around me.

The question catches me off guard, and I sputter for a moment, trying to figure out the right answer. It should be simple, but as an over thinker my brain is muddled with questions. Did she see Ronan with her? If so, would she find my answer suspicious if I say no? What if I say yes and she’s spoken to Jerry?

“She did!” Ronan tells her, pulling me into him.

“I love the natural color so much better, dear; you keep it that way.” The woman smiles, turning to her husband and heading to their chair as the lights go down, and a tall man with a goatee wearing a three-piece suit makes his way to the microphone.

Ronan pushes me slightly, pulling out my chair for me.

“You doing okay?” he asks, catching my chin between his fingers as I sit down.

I look up at him, noticing the concern lacing his eyes. If we were just pretending, that wouldn’t be there, would it? He wouldn’t care how I was doing as long as I was doing a good job.

“Why? Am I doing something wrong?”

His face twists with confusion before the realization dawns on him. His lips thin as he runs his palm over my cheek. Bringing his lips to mine, he whispers, “you’re doing perfect,” against them.

The tension leaves my shoulders, and I sink into his touch. About to pull away, I open my eyes, catching Jeffery’s eyes across the room. I quickly avert my attention, grabbing Ronan’s neck as he stands back up, pulling him back down to me.

And I kiss him.

A real kiss.

A passionate, intense kiss that makes my thighs clench and my heart race. For a moment, I lose sight of where we are. Of who we are and what this is. All I can think about is this, right here.

It’s dizzying. Exciting, warm. It feels like coming home after work and getting into bed. It feels like a promise.

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