“I hope it all goes well.” The guard clapped him on the back. “He’s a good kid.”
“The best,” Cash said with one final glance at the Golden Egg to ensure it still sat on its display, and as the guard returned to work, he jogged downstairs. He knew the older guard’s route. He would catch up with them and then take Clover for his promised donuts.
Cash burst onto the main floor, but a quick survey of the room told him his son wasn’t with the guard. Panic clawed at his throat until he saw him standing before the goddess of love sculptures with a woman… a brunette woman with elegant bunny ears growing from her head.
“That’s the legend at least,” the woman’s voice reached his ears as he jogged across the floor. “If you take their hands, they’ll bless you with love.”
“Have you ever taken their hands?” Clover asked.
“No,” the woman said. “I should have, though. I got into a lot of trouble because I didn’t.”
“Well, shouldn’t you do it now?”
“I don’t know. What do you think?”
“I think you should.”
“Okay. I will.” The brunette reached out and slipped her soft hand into Aphrodite’s stone one, and Cash had to fight back the tears as Clover stared at the woman’s free hand. For a long moment, his boy fixated on her dangling fingers, and then with hesitant movements, he gripped her hand instead of the statue’s.
“What do you think?” the woman asked as her fist folded around Clover’s small fingers. “Are we blessed now?”
“Yes,” Clover said as if he were the topmost authority on romantic blessings. “Oh, Dad! Look.”
Clover gazed up at him with a grin wide enough to swallow his face, and the woman twisted to meet his gaze. Cash almost tripped when he saw her. He hadn’t had the chance to admire her true form last night, but seeing her as nature intended was a spiritual experience.
“Hi, you must be Clover’s father,” the brunette said as if they were strangers. “This is one great kid you have. He’s been kind enough to show me around while he waited for you. I hope you don’t mind.”
“No…” Cash tripped over his words. “No, not at all.”
“I’m Sable, by the way.” The woman stepped forward and released Clover’s hand to extend it to him. “I’m new in town.”
“My name’s Cash.” He shook it, the exchange so simple yet so profound. She’d come back in her true form. She hadn’t run, but what’s more, she’d broken into the museum to return the egg, saving his job. She didn’t need to explain her intentions. She wanted to start fresh and begin again. The only question was, should he let her back into his life?
“Well, it was lovely to meet you. Maybe I’ll see you guys around?” Sable stared at him with both hope and acceptance. She wished to be welcome in their lives, but her expression told him she would respect his decision. He’d experienced so many emotions with her over the past twenty-four hours. Her loveconfession. Her betrayals. Her help to save Clover. Her stealing and then un-stealing the egg. It had been a roller-coaster, but she’d sworn to prove her devotion. She’d rescued his son. She’d returned the egg when she could’ve sold it to the highest bidder. They were soulmates. Even Clover sensed it.
“Yeah, perhaps I’ll see you around,” Cash said, and his soul felt lighter at her smile. “I work here,” he added. “So if you enjoy museums, we’ll run into each other.”
“I do like museums.” Her smile grew, and Cash didn’t miss how Clover’s grin was seconds away from eclipsing the sun. “I live close by too, so I’m sure I’ll see you soon. Anyway, I don’t want to hold you up. It was so nice to meet you both. Have a good day.”
“Thanks, you too.” Cash smiled at her little wave, and he captured Clover’s hand as they watched Sable walk toward the exit, her adorable ears bouncing with every step she took.
Clover cleared his throat and tugged on his arm, jerking Cash out of his trance. He looked down at his son in confusion, and the boy stared at him with a pointed glare. Cash shook his head, but Clover raised his eyebrows, and Cash felt like a kid being admonished by a parent.
“Actually, wait.” He jogged after Sable because his boy was right. There was a tugging in his chest. She was the one, his other half. He’d been so angry with her, but seeing the egg back in the exhibit changed everything. She’d done what she promised. She’d proved her love.
“We’re going to get donuts and then go to a ball game,” he said. “Would you like to come?”
Sable leaned sideways and stared behind him. Cash followed her line of sight to find Clover nodding vigorously.
“I would love to,” she said. “I’m starving.”
“Perfect.” Cash extended his hand, and she slid her fingers through his. Peace filled his soul at her touch, and her smile wasthe most magical vision in the world. They were starting over. They would go slow and get to know the true versions of each other, but Cash had no doubt in his mind. Sable was his future, and he wasn’t letting her go.
“Clover, come on.” Cash extended his other hand to his son, but the boy sauntered over and grabbed Sable’s instead. Cash rolled his eyes at the kid, but he had to agree with him. Holding Sable’s hand promised everything would be all right.
“Are we ready?” Cash asked.
“Yes, sir.” Sable winked.
