“Okay, what is it?”
“You didn’t know I was here in Stillwater.”
He nods.
“A few months ago, there was a dispute with the town about what to do with the kids’ playground by the church.”
“The one near the kitchen?”
“Yeah. We got the community together to clean it all up to convince the town that the playground shouldn’t be sold and made into a parking lot. The day we had everyone together to finish it, the mayor came looking for me. He said the playground had been purchased and put in my name in trust to the local community.”
He smiles. “That’s great, right? The playground is safe.”
I purse my lips together. “The signature on the deed was your dad’s.”
Mik laughs.
“I can show you.”
“Baby, my dad has been dead a long time.”
“Then how is it possible?”
He thinks for a moment. “My mom? When I spoke to her, she was so regretful about everything. She’s as shocked as I am that my dad would have done this to you. Maybe she forged my dad’s signature as a way to give something back to you?”
“How do you feel about that?”
He cradles my face between his hands. “I think it’s the best use of my family’s money. I don’t need it. God knows, my mom doesn’t need it. I’m glad it’s helping people here.”
“How about what Levi said?”
“The concert?”
I nod.
“The guys are never good at staying still for long. They’ll love to be part of this.”
He leans forward and kisses me. As with every other kiss, it ignites something inside me, something that’s been dormant for a long time.
His sinful tongue demands entry into my mouth, and the sucker I am, I let it in. I let him take everything.
“God, I love kissing you,” he says, pulling back, his eyes still closed.
“The paps.”
“Let them take all the photos. Let them see how much I need you, Ty. I’m not keeping you a secret. I already have too many of those.”
“Fuck, Mik. When you say stuff like that…”
“Don’t be afraid, Ty. I’m not leaving you behind again. I promise.”
I shake my head. He can’t make a promise like that, but I don’t say it. I take his hand and walk back to the table.
“Come on, let’s get back to the guys. Knowing them, Ellis has already been tasked with putting a list together and half a dozen people have already been contacted. I hope you understand what you’re getting yourself into.”
29
MIK
