Larissa Judson and Haskell Palmer novel Chapter 455

Haskell coughed.

“That’s quite a leap in topic, Larissa. When you say things like that and you’re not here with me, it makes the nights very long.”

Larissa laughed again. “My apologies. I suppose you’ll just have to take matters into your own hands.”

“I’ve waited twenty-six years. I can wait two more months.”

Larissa snuggled under the covers. “Haskell, can you sing?”

“I suppose so.”

“Sing me to sleep.”

“Alright.”

There was a pause, and then he began to sing, softly and a little off-key. “Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream…”

...

At ten o’clock on Saturday morning, after a surprisingly restful night’s sleep thanks to Haskell’s endearingly tone-deaf lullaby, Larissa climbed into his car, her spirits high. She slid across the leather seat until she was right next to him, then tilted her head and simply looked at him.

He was, without a doubt, a work of art. The high bridge of his nose, his deep-set eyes, the subtle curve of his lips—every feature was perfectly sculpted.

Haskell was looking at her too, his gaze warm. “Larissa, you look especially beautiful today.”

She trailed a finger in slow circles on his shirt. “What a shame,” she purred. “I suddenly wish I had a superpower, so I could heal your legs instantly and we wouldn’t have to wait.”

He caught her mischievous hand in his.

“It’s alright, Larissa,” he said, his voice a low thrum of amusement. “The best things in life are worth waiting for.”

In the driver’s seat, Crispin stared straight ahead, a stoic expression on his face, but inside, he was dying. “For the love of God”, he thought, “get a room. Have some mercy on the single guy.”

...

Paddy’s Home was buzzing with activity. All the private dining rooms had been booked by the city’s elite, and the ground floor had been transformed into a conference hall. Reporters from every major media outlet in Regal City were already there, all vying for the exclusive story of Field of Lari’s first public appearance.