"Well, wife," Kendrick said with a grin, "I guess we're somewhere in between."
She looked up at him, eyes twinkling in the soft light. "Husband."
He laughed. "Took you long enough to say it back."
"You've been annoying about it ever since."
"Because it makes you blush every single time."
"I do not—"
"You're blushing right now."
She groaned, turning away. "I hate you."
"No, you don't."
Zephany grinned despite herself and looked back at him. "Okay, fine. Maybe I don't."
The lake sat still, like it was holding its breath.
They stood at the edge now, where a wooden railing overlooked the water. The lights from the festival faded into the distance, leaving only the soft glimmer of hanging lanterns above them and the occasional distant laugh from someone still wandering the fairgrounds.
Zephany leaned her arms carefully against the railing, plush penguin now squished between her side and the wooden beam.
