Page 259 of Micah
She's got a smudge of barbecue sauce on one cheek.
I kiss it.
“Definitely you.”
She wrinkles her nose.
“I've been tending that brisket for ten hours.”
“I know.”
“I smell like hickory smoke.”
“You do.”
“That's probably not attractive.”
I stare at her.
Really stare.
At the freckles scattered across her nose.
The warm brown eyes smiling back at me. The soft curves she's finally stopped trying to hide. The confidence that's slowly replacing years of doubt.
She catches me looking.
“What?”
“You're beautiful. And brisket is my favorite meal. So to me, you’re an eleven out of ten tonight, Princess.”
She giggles and blushes.
Just like I want her to.
After all these months, she still blushes for me.
“I love you,” she whispers.
The words hit me just as hard now as they did the first time.
“I love you too.”
She rests her forehead against mine.
“Dinner's almost ready.”
“Good.”
“You sound nervous.”
“I am.”
She pulls back just enough to study my face.
“Everything okay?”
I smile.
