Chapter Forty-Six
MARRIED LIFE, BUT MAKE IT ICELANDIC
Cole
ONE YEAR LATER
The sky outside is still bright even though it’s almost midnight. Iceland’s weird like that—it’s messing with my internal clock, but I don’t care—because my wife is naked in a hot spring and keeps making dolphin noises every time she kicks her foot through the steam.
The air smells faintly of sulfur and wild moss. Somewhere nearby, the sound of water trickles over stone, and the sky casts everything in silver-blue light. It feels like we’re at the end of the world—with nothing but time and each other.
“You know this is probably sacred Viking water or something,” I say, sinking deeper beside her, arms spread along the stone edge. “We’re probably breaking like ten different laws.”
“Please. If Vikings had access to a natural spa like this, they’d be in it naked too.” She raises her brows, daring me to argue.
It doesn’t get much better than this. So far, our week has been spent in steaming saunas, leisurely hikes, and a private cabin tucked so far into the middle of nowhere I’m not convinced we aren’t technically squatters. We picked Iceland because it was weird and wild and beautiful—kind of like her.
I reach over and flick water at her.
“How you doing over there, big guy?” she asks, eyeing me.
“I’m fan-freaking-tastic.” And it’s true. This is the happiest I’ve ever been.
She tips her head back against the rock, steam curling around her shoulders. “This is the best honeymoon spot. Ten out of ten. Hot, quiet, isolated. Minimal murder vibes.”
“Yeah,” I say, trailing my fingers through the water. “All we’re missing is a commemorative plaque. Here lies The Situation, fully appreciated Iceland, July 3rd, 9:42 p.m.”
She snorts. “Dude, you’re still calling it that?”
“You named it!”
“And I regret it every day.”
I lean in, voice low and mock-serious. “Which is why I think it’s only fair I name yours.”
She blinks. “Nope.”
“Come on. Equal opportunity.”
She lifts her chin, considering it. “Fine. But I get full veto power.”
“Obviously.”
I rub my hands together like a cartoon villain. “Alright. First suggestion: The Chamber of Secrets.”
She gags. “Immediate no.”
“Why? Mysterious. Magical. Very... restricted access.”
“You are so lucky you’re hot.”
I grin. “Okay, okay. What about Mount Pleasuremore?”
She squints. “That one’s so bad I think I got a cramp just hearing it.”
“You’re a tough crowd.”
She slides closer, wrapping her legs around my waist under the water like she’s planning to drown me if I keep going. “Try again before I revoke naming privileges permanently.”
I press my lips together, dramatically thoughtful. “Hmm... Andi’s Inferno?”
She stares at me. “That’s the best you got?”
“No, but it’s currently leading the pack.”
I’m quiet for a minute, just watching her. The way the light hits her collarbone, her flushed skin, the damp tendrils of lavender hair escaping her braid… She’s beautiful. And somehow mine.
I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of that word.
“Don’t tell me you’re out of ideas already,” she says, goading me.
“What about... Snuggles McDangerZone?”
She side-eyes me. “Absolutely not.”
“AndiLand. Population: Very lucky me.”
She bursts into laughter. “You’re insane.”
She kisses me, and I get momentarily distracted.
Then I pull back with a smug grin. “Okay, I’ve got it. The Situation’s Nemesis. Because she’s the only one who can destroy him.”
She sighs and leans her head on my shoulder. “You are the dumbest man I’ve ever loved.”
“I’ll take that as confirmation that you do, in fact, love me.”
“Unfortunately, yes. Very much.”
We sit like that for a while, the water hot and the air cool, steam curling around us. In the distance, there’s a strange bird sound that Andi claims is a puffin but could honestly be a malfunctioning goat for all I know.
The steam rises in lazy coils. Her fingers draw soft patterns on my chest, and for a second, I forget the rest of the world exists. It’s just us. And warmth. And a weird bird.
I shift slightly, burying my nose in her damp hair. “This is the best thing I’ve ever done, by the way.”
“Name my vajayjay?”
“Marry you.”
She goes quiet, fingers tracing lazy patterns on my chest. “Yeah. Same.”
Did I picture myself getting married at twenty-six?
No. But I never imagined meeting someone like Andi.
She stormed her way into my life, and everything finally made sense.
Actually, that’s not true; she didn’t storm her way in.
In fact, she tried to flee from me every chance she got.
Good thing I’m stubborn and finally wore her down.
I press a kiss to her temple. “But also yes, I will eventually find the perfect nickname.”
“I swear to you, Cole—”
“Andi’s Arc?”
She dunks me.