“OK. So, I know we already did a quiz, but I might have looked up first date questions.”
I shoot her an amused look. “You like your quizzes. Have at it, you can ask me anythin’.”
She reaches into her purse and pulls out a piece of paper. “I printed it off, but if it’s terrible, we don’t have to?—”
“Ask me, Em.”
Her eyes light up. “Really?”
I lean in, loving the happiness that’s written all over her face. “Hit me with your best shot, wifey.”
“OK… just remember, you agreed. Yeah?”
“C’mon, already,” I tease as I lean back in my chair.
“I might skip some of these because they’re a bit lame.”
“Been known to be lame a time or two in my life. I might like them even more now.”
She lifts her hand to her chest and gasps. “You too? Look, we’ve got somethin’elsein common.” Her lips twitch up into a smile that has my heart skipping a beat.Seems to happen a lot around her.
“I’ve heard it’s good to have things in common with your spouse.”
Em’s eyes shine bright. “Let’s see if we can find some more then.” She looks down at the list. “OK. What’s your favorite color?”
“Blue,” I say.The color your eyes shine in the light.“What’s yours?”
“Green but not lime or anythin’. More like a deep forest green. Warm and earthy, you know?”
I grin. “Note to self, warm and cozy colors for my wife.” Nodding to the paper, I wait for her next question, already enjoying myself.
“OK. Favorite place you’ve ever been to?”
Biting my lip, the answer sitting on the tip of my tongue. “You’re goin’ to roll your eyes at this one,” I say preemptively.
“Let me guess. Timber Falls?”
I shake my head. “Nope.”
She leans forward in her seat. “Now I’m curious.”
“What if it’s not a place, but a person?”
Em’s lips part and she shakes her head. “There’s no way you’re about to say me.” One of my shoulders bounce as I focus on the label on my beer bottle. “Jude?
I slowly lift my eyes to meet her gentle ones. “Are you bein’ serious?”
“I feel better when I’m with you. I can’t explain it, and yeah—it’s fast and we’re still gettin’ to know each other but…” I shrug again, looking out the restaurant’s window to gather my thoughts before turning back. “For most of my life, I’ve felt the need to act orbea certain way. As I got older, I realized that it’san exhaustin’ way to live, and considerin’ my ADHD is already exhaustin’ enough when it wants to be, I just… I like bein’ around people where I know I can just beme. Gramps got it, my brothers know it too.”
“Jude…” she says, her voice as smooth as butter.
“With you, I don’t even have to think. I can just be Jude. The man who was offered a miracle and hasn’t regretted takin’ it for a single second since.”
She holds my gaze, the intensity in her eyes holding me captive. “I like that what you are to me is what I am to you, hubby. You’re my safe space. Everythin’ with you is easy, even when it should be hard. Just bein’ with you, talkin’ to you?—”
“Askin’ me the hard-hittin’ questions?” I say, arching a brow and hoping to steer the conversation back to light and easy for my own sake. It’s too early to scare my wife away with promises of forever—even if that is the only thing I want.
“Hmm. Nice save, hubby. But yes. Let’s get back to those questions before you turn me into a melted puddle on the floor of this nice restaurant.”