“What is it?”
“I was thinking about how far we’ve come. From that holding cell to here.”
“Best arrest of my career,” he replied with a smile that crinkled the corners of his eyes. His hand left mine to cup my face, thumb brushing along my cheekbone with such tenderness I nearly came undone right there on the dance floor.
The song was winding toward its conclusion, Etta’s voice soaring on the final notes. As the last chord hung in the air, Ronan’s lips found mine, and I drank the sweetness of his kiss. Aroused now, I drew myself closer to him.
When we finally broke apart, both breathing harder, the band had already moved on to another song.
“We should probably . . .” I gestured vaguely toward our table.
“Pay the bill and get out of here? I was thinking the same thing.”
As we made our way back to the table, Vincent approached us with our bill. Ronan placed several bills in the leather folder without even looking at the total, his attention still fixed entirely on me.
“Ready?” he asked.
I nodded, gathering my purse. As we stood, Ronan leaned close, his breath warm against my ear.
“Remember the spend the night bag you told me to bring? It’s in the car.”
Heat rushed through me, memories of his cabin flooding back.
“Say less. Your place or mine?” I told him, already moving toward the exit.
“Closest,” he replied without hesitation, his stride lengthening as we reached the door.
The night air didn’t cool the fire building between us. Ronan’s hand found mine as we half-walked, half-jogged toward the parking lot, both of us laughing like teenagers.
“Can’t believe I’m running to a car in these heels.” I gasped between laughs as we reached his vehicle.
Ronan’s smile was pure sin as he pressed me gently against the passenger door, his body caging mine. “Trust me, it’ll be worth it.”
EPILOGUE
RONAN
Mayor McLeod climbed the courthouse steps with confidence. I’d known Carter McLeod since our time at Birmingham State. He studied political science, and I was in criminal justice on an ROTC scholarship. Now, as the second Black mayor, he wore his power like an expensive suit, comfortable with it but aware of who had paid for it.
“Ronan, welcome back,” he said, extending his hand. I assumed he used my first name as a reminder of our history.
“Thank you, sir. Good to be back in a different capacity,” I replied, matching his grip with my own.
He clapped my shoulder, satisfied with my diplomatic response.
“We’re ready when you are, sir,” the mayor’s assistant noted.
McLeod adjusted the microphone. “On behalf of Birmingham, in only six months, his work has brought law enforcement and the community closer together, sparking reforms now expanding throughout the country. Ronan’s commitment to fairness and integrity has set a new standard for public service here. I want to announce Ronan as this year’s DOJ Community Impact Award winner. We’re grateful for thefoundation he’s laid here, and his leadership will bring about meaningful progress at the national level. Birmingham will always be proud to call you one of our own, Ronan,” the mayor commented, words smooth as butter.
I stepped up to the microphone, adjusting my tie with my left hand deliberately, making sure the gold band on my ring finger caught the sunlight, a small gesture but an unmistakable one. Ronan Banks was a married man now, and anyone who knew anything about Birmingham politics knew exactly who my wife was.
“Thank you, Mayor McLeod, and thank you to the review board for selecting me to receive this award,” I responded, my voice carrying across the courthouse plaza.
“Mr. Banks! I see you’re wearing a wedding band. It seems your eligibility status has officially changed. You’re no longer the most eligible bachelor in Birmingham?” a reporter from the Montgomery Gazette questioned.
A ripple of laughter spread through the audience, and I couldn’t help but chuckle along, the light-heartedness easing some of the tension. I glanced toward the mayor and shot back with a smirk, “I’m passing the torch to Mayor McLeod. He’ll have to take on that title now.”
The crowd laughed again, and the mayor threw his head back, laughing. “I appreciate the endorsement, but you know how it is.”
