Page 73 of Otto: The Hawthornes

“I’m nervous,” I confessed. I thought about reaching out to touch him but couldn’t make myself do it.

“Me too,” he replied, glancing at me as we pulled out onto the road.

“Really?”

“Really,” he confirmed. “Haven’t ever been married before.” He shot me a look. “And I don’t think either of us planned on rushin’ to the altar with someone we barely knew.”

“Actually,” I replied, settling more comfortably into my seat. “I hadn’t really planned on knowing my future husband very well before I got married.”

Otto’s chuckle broke off when he glanced at me and realized I was serious.

“For real?” he asked incredulously.

I shrugged. “That’s not really how it works for us,” I explained carefully. “My dad—” I choked a little on the word and cleared my throat. “My dad would’ve chosen someone for me. We would’ve spent some time together beforehand, but not a lot.”

“That’s wild,” Otto replied, shaking his head. “At least know Ilikeyou.”

“You barely know me,” I countered.

“I’ve seen you around,” he said, glancing at me. “I know that you don’t like milk.” My mouth dropped open in surprise. “And you do this little shimmy thing with your shoulders when you’re excited about somethin’, but only when you’re comfortable with the person you’re talkin’ to. And I know that you’re always nice to everyone, even when they’re assholes. You’re smart—I bet you got good grades in school. And you suck at volleyball.”

“How in the world?” I breathed, staring at him.

“I noticed you in school,” he said easily, shrugging one shoulder.

“I don’t know why.”

“Because you’re pretty.” A smile played on his lips. “And I was dyin’ to see your hair down.”

I coughed hard at the reminder, and he laughed.

“I don’t remember you from school,” I replied apologetically.

He brushed that off with a wave of his fingers on the steering wheel.

“I know that you’re kind,” I said tentatively after a moment, making him look at me sharply. “I know that you love your parents and your family. You’re protective of them. You’re handsome—probably too handsome.”

“Can you be too handsome?”

“Yes,” I replied firmly, making him huff out a laugh. “You’re a hard worker. You like riding motorcycles?”

“Love it,” he confirmed.

“You’ll be a good dad.”

“What makes you think that?”

“You’re a good uncle,” I replied, remembering the way he’d lifted his nephew over his head again and again the night before so Rhett could touch the ceiling. He hadn’t once gotten annoyed or brushed off the little boy’s cries todo it again.

“And we have chemistry,” I added before I could talk myself out of it.

Otto grinned at me. “That’s like saying that a wildfire puts off a bit of heat.”

I blushed.

“I won’t ever hurt you,” he said, holding out his hand between us so I’d grasp it. “I won’t lie to you. Won’t cheat on you. I’ve got no idea how to be a husband, but promise I’ll do my best.”

I smiled at him and laced my fingers with his. It was a start.

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