scorching me, but in a painless way. It’s overwhelmingly perfect in every single way possible. Our kiss hasn’t broken, but I think I’ve finally learned to live without air, because the burn in my lungs is now gone, replaced with euphoric tingles that take over my whole body.
As her muscles tighten around me and her whimpers and moans grow louder, I lose myself in her storm as it rains down on me so heavily that I can’t see anything past her. But that’s okay. As long as I have her, I don’t need to see anything else anyway.
We make it back home, but that doesn’t change anything between us. We’re a newly engaged couple who can’t keep their hands to themselves. The moment we walk in, she’s back in my arms and I’m carrying her over to the piano. Time to break it in properly.
Minutes turn into hours, and hours into days. Neither of us has escaped our own little world to go back out into society. Our time is spent making love, sleeping, and repeating the process. We’ve been home for two days but haven’t even left the house. In here, we’re perfect. In here, nothing can get to us. But tomorrow we’ll finally have to return to work, and I hate the thought of venturing out into the real world. I much prefer the one we’ve created. Despite it all, we dress to go over to my grandmother’s for our rescheduled dinner, since we missed Friday night due to our vacation.
Even though I don’t want to leave the apartment, I’m excited to see the look on Gran’s face when she sees that Poppy has accepted the ring.
We walk into her house and we’re told to go out to the patio rather than the lounge, which I find odd, but I lead Poppy out with a smile. I stop when I walk out and find not only my Gran, but my father too, along with a young woman who looks like she’s paid by the hour, if you know what I mean. She has long, blonde hair—the unnatural kind—overdone makeup, and a tight dress I’m sure has my grandmother in a tizzy.
“Oh, hello,” I say, looking at my father and ignoring the escort who’s clearly being paid to be here. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here,” I say, pulling Poppy up to my side.
He unfolds his hands and gestures for us to sit down. “I know. I wasn’t sure if I could make it, but here I am.”
Gran looks up at Poppy and smiles. “It’s nice to see you again, dear.”
Poppy gives her a quick hug before taking a seat.
“I see that you’ve accepted my ring.” She smiles. “That’s wonderful.”
Poppy looks down at the ring on her finger with a smile and nods. “It really is. I love it, but are you sure you don’t want to hang on to it? It’s so beautiful and has so much history.”
“Nonsense. That’s been passed down for generations, and right there on your hand is where it belongs now. I have high hopes for the two of you.”
“I do too, Gran,” I agree, wrapping my arm around Poppy while I take the drink the maid is offering.
I hand Poppy the glass and take another for myself.
“Matthew, son, I’d like to introduce you to Bethany. Bethany is the daughter of Roger Steinbeck. You remember him, don’t you?”
I think back, trying to figure out who Roger Steinbeck is. “Should I?” I ask, raising my glass to my lips but freezing.
He almost rolls his eyes but refrains. “Roger is in line to take over the company. I’m retiring soon. He’s taking the spot that was meant for you.”
“That’s nice, Dad,” I reply, looking over at my grandmother. “So, how’ve you been, Gran?”
She smiles but she knows my father isn’t done, so she doesn’t reply.
“Matthew,” my father says, leaning forward slightly.
Resentfully, I look back at him.
“I brought Bethany here to meet you. To show you that you have so many more options than what you think you have.”
Poppy’s mouth drops. She know this is clearly about her, and after that file he sent me, I should have expected something like this.
“I know my options, Dad, and I’m more than happy with the choice I’ve made.” I reach over, placing my hand on Poppy’s knee.
His dark, beady eyes watch as my hand moves to rest on her leg. His back straightens and his eyes narrow. Finally, he looks over at Gran. “How could you give her