The Marriage Rival

Presley

The wind blows against my unruly hair as I laugh into the cool winter air.

The tour guide is te

lling jokes while tourists listen eagerly, and beside me, I curl my arm into Haden’s.

We have done so many things in this city while we lived here but never something so simple.

“I can’t say I’ve ever ridden on this bus,” Haden says, unsure. “It’s such a different way to view the city, and do you think they recycle these headphones?”

Laughing, I lean in and kiss his cheek. “That’s what the old Presley would have asked.”

“Wait, so no more matching socks and color-coded rows in my drawer?”

“Maybe I’ll mix it up,” I tease him. “Zig when you think I’m going to zag.”

His brows lift with curiosity as the corner of his mouth quirks up. “You’re such a tease. I give you one day before you’re reorganizing the new house and start labeling my underwear or something.”

In all this mess, I completely forgot about the new house. We have another week left in our bungalow, and although it pains me to say goodbye, the excitement of a fresh start is exactly what I need.

I shake my head. “No, I need to relax. Some things are out of my control.”

Taking a deep breath, I watch the city pass us by, my chest radiating with happiness as I experience this moment with the man I want to spend the rest of my life with. Beside him, I realize I can do anything I set my heart out to do. Haden always supports me, and when we argue, it is warranted. He wants us to achieve the best and pushing my mindset out of my comfort zone is not a bad thing. He challenges me like no other person has. And yes, on more than one occasion, he makes jerk-like decisions, but on reflection, it is with good intentions.

“I feel as though I’m seeing it all for the very first time.”

Haden grins, kissing my hand. “I miss seeing you this happy.”

I turn to stare into his hazel eyes, savoring the way he gazes at me as if I am the air he breathes. “I miss seeing us this happy.”

Leaning in, he places his warm lips against mine. Unable to contain myself, I hold his head in my hands, pulling him into a fiery and passionate kiss until we pull apart, our breathing shaky and uneven.

My eyes glance sideways as the tour guide watches with an annoyed gaze.

“I don’t think he’s too happy we’re making out on his bus.” I giggle, pulling myself away.

Haden cocks his head to the side. “He doesn’t know the hell we’ve been through, but I’ll behave for now.”

The sightseeing tour gives you the flexibility to see famous New York attractions at your own pace. We drive past the Empire State Building and One World Trade Center. We stop off at Brooklyn, had lunch by the water before hopping back on the bus and back to Manhattan. As we take in all the sights and architecture, we reach our final destination of Central Park and hop off.

“Where is all your stuff?” I ask him.

“I didn’t bring anything.”

“Nothing?”

“Nada.”

“Not even a toothbrush?”

“Well,” he says, scratching his beard which looks unkempt. “I figured it was the least of my problems, and the city would have supplies.”

“Well, my fancy hotel has toothbrushes.”

“Oh yeah?” Haden smirks with just a small pouting of his lips, a narrowing of the eyes, then tilts his head, his gaze fixated on me. “What else does it have?”

“Those big robes with the initials engraved on the pocket.”