I subdued my laughter while Jared washed the paint from his hair in the kitchen sink. He’d just finished rendering the bullet hole above the stove invisible; it was the last item on his list of things to remove, replace or repair since Shax’s visit just two months before.

Jared was covered in ivory specks, and I found it amusing that he was so graceful and agile; yet he couldn’t seem to pick up a paint brush without half the bucket inexplicably appearing all over him.

“What?” he asked, smiling as he scrubbed his hair with a towel.

“You look good in Honeysuckle Beige. I think it’s your color,” I giggled.

Jared tossed the towel onto the counter and walked to the couch where I rested. “How’s the leg? Need anything for the pain?” he asked, crouching beside me.

“It’s okay. How’s the shoulder?”

Jared grinned at me for a moment and then intertwined his fingers in mine. “Did something happen to my shoulder?”

“Is that like the tree falling in the woods making a sound question?” I asked, watching the large diamond glitter on my finger.

Jared’s bellowing laughter filled the room. “Yeah, something like that. Claire will be here soon with Mom. They’re bringing over some magazines, catalogs, things like that.”

I smiled and ran my fingers through his wet hair. “You keep me fairly entertained.”

“They’re bringing wedding stuff. Lillian has resorted to harassment to get me to let her come here. I made her wait until you were a little stronger before she ascended the loft with swaths and centerpiece options. I’m afraid it’s just given her time to collect more supplies.”

“You didn’t tell them about the island, did you?” I accused.

Jared squint one eye. “I think I’m going to need back up for that.”

“You’re letting them come over here thinking we’re planning a big wedding? Jared!”

He cringed at my reaction. “It’s okay! We’ll explain it together.”

I rolled my eyes and nervously twisted my engagement ring around my finger. “If I can tell Cynthia I’m getting married before I graduate college, you can tell your mom we’re going simple.”

Jared looked down and smiled. “You used to do that with Jack’s ring. It’s funny to think this time last year I would smile when I’d see you fidgeting with the Peridot. Now you’re twisting your engagement ring around when you’re nervous. It’s very….surreal,” he mused.

“Tell me about it,” I grumbled.

Jared nodded once. “Cranky when planning weddings...check.”

I pressed my lips together, trying not to smile.

Jared pulled my hand to his lips and kissed my fingers tenderly. “It will be fine. I promise.”