_OceanofPDF

“I have no idea,” Ella said.
“The tingle,” Ted said. “It came late.”
Arm around Ella, I pulled her closer.
We had the final approval. I picked up my drink and lifted it. “To the
tingle!”
We all toasted, and I kissed my wife.
“About damn time,” Colton said. “I live with you guys and I’m always
thinking you’re half broken up.” He took a swig of beer, and Ella’s hand
tightened around my waist.
I needed to change the subject. Whatever he thought he’d observed, I
didn’t want him revealing it in front of my parents.
“So, Dad—” I said, trying to change the subject without knowing what I
was changing it to.
“Fighting’s healthy,” Mom said.
“Nah, nah, they don’t fight. This guy—” Colton punched me
affectionately. “He’s so old-timey he had them like… what’s that show? I
Love Lucy? With the separate beds.” He pointed between Ella and me.
“They were in separate rooms until, like, what? A month ago?”
“No,” Ella said, but didn’t elaborate.
Mom seemed unmoved—as happy as ever—but Dad looked deeply into
his drink.
“It’s cool, El, you wore him down.” He tipped his beer toward my wife
in respect.
“What were you doing upstairs?” I growled, missing the point.
“Checking it out. I was bored. Then I went to look for my buddy’s ball
—up on my roof? I told you?”
“I knew it,” Ted said, looking at me. “It was too easy.”
“Dad—” I started, but he held up his hand.
“This is disappointing.” He put his drink on the bar. “But not
surprising.”
“What?” Colton asked.
I could explain. Maybe Ella had had a cold when he went up there, or
maybe I snored. I had to say something, anything, but no excuse looked
strong enough to get through my father’s newfound disbelief. For the first
time since Colton started running his mouth, I looked at Ella.
The color had drained from her face and her expression was frozen.