I would certainly be looking over my shoulder a lot less now, for sure.
“What are you going to do now that you’ve quit?” I asked as I dug around in my handbag for my keys.
The corners of his lips twitched before he smiled fully. “I’m planning to invest in a health tech company, and to transition to a leadership role there soon.”
I smiled up at him. “Thank you,” I whispered. “Thank you for doing this for me. For taking the hit for our workplace relationship.”
He pressed his lips to my cheek. “I refuse to be held back by company rules about who I can or can’t date. So, it was no effort at all.”
I leaned up on my tiptoes to brush my lips against his. “So, you’ll hold hands with me in public whenever we’re out? And pick me up from work every night?”
He nodded. “Every night. Then, I’ll drive you home and make crazy, infatuated love to you.”
“After dinner?” I asked.
“Definitely after dinner, which I will not burn, char, or scorch to death when I attempt to cook for you. And I will repeat this silly routine for eternity or, of course, until I lose my driver’s license due to old age and such—in which case, I’ll still have someone drive me over to pick you up and then take you back home to make crazy love.”
“You’d lose your driver’s license, but not your libido?”
He kissed me for a long minute before breaking off. “I’m never losing that with you.”
I grinned. “Someone is strangely confident about that, I see.”
He took the keys from my handbag and pushed the door open, pulling me in with him. “Maybe it’s time for a demo.”
44
AVA
The spring air was chill against my back as I left the tennis club with Des. He turned to wave at Sean, who was holding his tennis bag and heading over to the club café for a quick dinner alone.
“Did you invite Sean over to our party next weekend?” I asked as we walked out of the club lobby and waited for Stan, Desmond’s driver.
We were both warm and happily exhausted from running on the court.
“That’s the third time you’ve asked me this question. Is there a chance you’re trying to set him up with someone there?” Des asked me, turning a surprised look at me.
I grinned. “I don’t reveal my secrets,” I said as we approached a black Bentley.
Des opened the door for me.
“If you are, I ought to warn you, he’s a stubborn one,” Des said, taking a seat by my side. “Ever since his divorce, he’s been fiercely protective of his son and his time. And I don’t blame him.”
Our hands found each other’s, and for the rest of the journey, we leaned against one another, comfortable as we watched the trees, buildings, and traffic pass by.
It had been a wonderful three months with Des. Surprisingly, I fit into his life better than either of us had expected. Brody was a delight, and we had a standing Thursday night dinner with him that I always looked forward to. I’d always learn something unexpected about Des during these dinners, and that was enough fodder to tease Des with all week long.
When Stan dropped us off outside my apartment, Desmond waved him good night, and then we made our way up to my studio. He stayed over with me roughly half the time, and my tiny apartment seemed cozier and more welcoming with his presence.
I opened the door, and we walked in, turning the lights on.
I’d had to make some changes to my studio apartment. A bigger bed—even though it meant my shabby couch had had to go to make room—and more pictures on the wall. There was one of Mom on her fortieth birthday, happy and beaming, and pics of Desmond and me—old ones, including the football picture and the one at the fireworks, and a new one of me and Desmond that I’d only put up last week from our overnight stay at San Francisco to see the opera.
Being immersed in music that way had been beautiful, and six months ago, I couldn’t have imagined I would ever get a chance to go there, let alone that I’d be going with Desmond.
That night, Desmond set up a delightful candlelight dinner by the wall, and we ate quickly, giving us a little timefor cuddles and spooning in bed while we fell asleep, tired from our game.
When I woke up in the morning, Desmond was curled up on his side, his face a picture of peace while he slept on my new mattress.
