Chapter 37
Perfect and Exquisite
TEDDY
I’m Sophie’s date for Pru and Vreeland’s wedding, and tonight is the rehearsal dinner.
I’ve met the vampire couple twice now, and I really like them.
I can see Vreeland and myself becoming friends, something I never would’ve expected before moving to a supernatural village where werewolves and vampires freely intermingle.
Although I’m not part of the bridal party, I plan to drive Sophie to the chapel for the rehearsal and later to the dinner afterward.
I’m not letting her out of my sight for two reasons; today is her birthday, and I’m still uneasy about Rafe.
Despite the fact no one has heard from him since the vandalism episode, I don’t think Rafe has suddenly grown a conscience.
I’m planning a proper birthday celebration for Sophie on Sunday, but I want to give her the ring before we leave.
I keep patting my jacket pocket to make sure the little black box is still tucked inside; after dealing with Catbeam and Talo’s nutso negotiations—we had to return to his shop two more times to secure the deal—I’m anxious to see the ring on Sophie’s finger.
I’m sitting on the brown sofa beside Zosia, giving the white fuzzball a belly rub, when Sophie’s bedroom door opens. Rising nervously from the couch, my fingers graze the box in my pocket as I wait for her to enter the living room. But when she does, I simply stand there and forget to breathe.
Sophie is wearing a short, sparkly, copper-colored dress that hugs her figure in all the right places.
Her hair is down, which is rare these days given the long hours she spends baking, and her gorgeous chestnut waves cascade over shoulders and down her back.
Her pillowy lips are a glossy shade of deep coral, and her gray eyes twinkle as I stare at her; I’m awestruck.
At some point I manage to croak, “Wow!”
“What’s the matter, wolf-boy… fox got your tongue?”
“I’m okay now,” I murmur, grinning. “I just forgot to breathe for a minute back there.”
Sophie chuckles as she breezes past me to the door. “I guess we better get going; as the maid of honor I need to be on time.”
“Wait… please. I have your birthday gift.”
Sophie turns around, her brow puckered. “But we’re celebrating on Sunday.”
“This is burning a hole in my pocket," I say, withdrawing the velvet box from my jacket and handing it to her. “And today is your birthday, and well, I want you to have this now.”
Sophie stares up at me and then down at the box in her hand, which I notice is quivering slightly. “Go on and open it,” I say, suddenly unsure of myself. “And if you don’t like it… we can…”
“Oh, Teddy!” Sophie squeals as she opens the box. “This is exquisite… it’s absolutely perfect!”
“Exquisite and perfect are words I reserve only for you,” I rasp low in my throat.
Sophie starts fanning her face with her free hand, her eyes glistening. “Oh no—I think I’m going to cry! Now I’m really going to be late.”
“Please don’t cry.” Taking her perfect, exquisite face in my hands, I plant a butter-soft kiss on her lush lips, careful not to muss her hair.
Sophie smiles, but a single tear manages to escape, which I quickly swipe with my thumb. Then I release her and nod at the box in her hand. “Would you like me to slip that on for you?”
“Yes, please,” she whispers.
I remove the band from the box and place it on her finger. Sophie holds up her left hand, waggling the emerald ring, which winks and sparkles. “It’s beautiful, a perfect fit.”
“Do you really like the ring?” I’m still insecure when it comes to Sophie, probably because I need her so much more than she needs me. She has the power to complete me in ways I never believed possible.
“I love it,” she says. “And I love you more.”
“Well if you’re really sure…”
“About you or the ring?” Sophie teases, taking my hand and leading me out to the car.
I pause, my hand on the car door. “Both.”
Sophie’s eyes lock on mine. “I’ve never been surer of anything in my life.” And then she adds with a mischievous grin, “Wolf-boy.”
Snorting at her silly nickname for me, I close her car door and step around to the driver’s side. As I’m starting the old Caddy, Sophie holds up her hand again to gaze at her ring. “Where did you find this?”
“It’s kind of a long story.”
“Tell me on the way to the chapel.”
“Alright.” I give her a sly wink. “This story begins, as all the best stories do, with a faerie bargain, a beady-eyed troll, and a wolf-boy in love with a faerie princess...”
Sophie’s brilliant giggles fill the car. “Not Granny Catbeam and Talo the pawnbroker!”
“The very same.”
“Now I know you love me,” she quips.
“My dearest Sophie.” I pick up her left hand and plant tender kisses along the inside of her wrist and all the way up to her elbow, smiling as she trembles at my touch. “I’m yours for as long as life endures.”