I take the bounce in her steps as a positive sign, but then she turns around. “This is amazing, Zane.” A wide smile brightens her face, calming my nerves, before she inspects the sunken tub carefully. “Just so you know, I’m going to spend a lot of time here. If you can’t find me anywhere in the house, that means I’m in the bath.”
I chuckle. “I’ll r-remember that. Now get s-some rest, because if I know my family r-right, th-they’ll be here early in the morning to dis-scuss all the plans with-th you.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
“Goodnight, Vienna.”
Her wide smile is the last thing I see before exiting out of the room.
* * *
The next morning at five, I wake up to the familiar sounds of chirping birds. When my feet hit the warm, heated floor, it feels like there are foreign sensations in the ground today, reminding me I’m no longer alone. Shaking my head at the crazy thought, I walk out of my room and find Tassels with his face plastered to the main door. His breath has frosted the glass at several spots. Upon seeing me, he waggles his tail, looking back and forth toward me and the porch, where Mystery is sleeping on the recliner.
“You w-want to s-say good morning to your br-rother?” I whisper, crouching low and petting his soft fur.
A few moments later, when I open the door, Tassels dashes toward Mystery, proving me right. I spend some time outside watching the two interact, sniffing each other, tails wagging in excitement before coming back inside.
My gaze drifts toward Vienna’s closed door. My heart suddenly feels full as anxious thoughts crawl in my head. How did she sleep last night? Is she still okay with this marriage?
My anxiety remains in place all the while I change into my sports gear and go outside. Unlike other days, the deep calming breaths don’t help much.
“Wh-what the fuck am I th-thinking?” I mutter. I remind myself that she’s here for a reason, and that has nothing to do with how much I already like her in my lonely place.
Shaking my head and trying to get rid of the crazy thoughts, I shoot a quick text to Vienna.
Zane: I’m out for a run. Will be back in 40 minutes.
I hope her phone is on silent and I’m not disturbing her.
Unlike other days, where I think about my upcoming tasks, today my mind is filled with images of yesterday. Vienna and me getting the marriage license. Me kissing her in her apartment. Her in Zander’s kitchen. Finally, her dozing off on my couch with Tassels and Mystery beside her.
When I return back, her door is still closed.
With my thoughts intermittently going toward my fiancée, I remove my sweaty T-shirt and decide to jump on the rowing machine.
Before switching the equipment on, I give some food to Mystery and Tassels. Even though I fill two bowls with dog food, they both stick their mouths into one dish. Thankfully, Vienna and I feed our dogs the same food, so I don’t have to worry about their stomach getting upset.
I smile, watching them getting along so well, and take their action as a sign that Vienna and I are doing the right thing.
I’m in my final rep on the bench press when there’s a ping on my cell phone. I finish my count of twenty before grabbing my phone from the center table.
I’ve just read the message about two cars parked outside when the doorbell rings.
Fuck!
12
VIENNA
A faint ringing forces me to hide deeper in the heavenly, nice-smelling covers. I’m about to ignore it when the squealing voices remind me where I am.
Geez! What time is it?
I quickly grab my phone, and a mild irritation hits me as I see it’s only eight.
Who the hell visits someone at eight in the morning on a Saturday?
As I have the mornings on weekends off, I usually stay in bed until late morning. Before I can lament more, I hear Tassels’ soft excited barks. I tiptoe quietly toward the door and peek through the small opening.