“Like I could forget. If it were your mom, we both wouldn’t be here right now.”
She giggles, a sound I haven’t heard in a long time. It’s like the sweetest thunder as the clouds roll in. I can’t get enough. I need to get the fuck out of here.
“Touche.” She pauses. “I need to go home.”
“I’ll drive you.”
“You can’t, you’re over the limit, and so am I. I’ll get an Uber.”
“Or we could walk, it’s four blocks.”
She turns her piercing eyes on me. “Weren’t stalking me, huh?”
Now it’s my turn to roll my eyes. “You live downtown, it’s not like there aren’t bars nearby, sweet cakes.”
“Fine. You can walk me, but only because if I say no, you’ll just do it, anyway.”
Clearly, she knows me too well.
“I’m not gonna let an intoxicated woman walk home, especially one who is still my wife.” I place a hand over my heart. “Not in good conscience.”
“You like saying that, don’t you? My wife,” she muses as she slides off the stool, albeit a little wobbly.
I don’t bother answering, fixing up the tab as she slides her arm through mine. Man, I’ve missed how little she is next to me. How warm she is. The protective surge inside of me raises its ugly head, but I’m not drunk. I can be civil… as long as nobody looks at her.
She’s chatty on the way home, telling me about the department and how if she were in charge she’d make corruption a number one priority. I love how she gets like this and wants to save the world, it’s not only brave, it’s just like her. Always wanting to do good. Always trying to better herself.
I tell her about the building we’re renting and how Brew has big plans. I’m kinda along for the ride. I’ve never been one to take life too seriously, but I’d rather be doing that than shit kicking for someone else. I’ve worked for the MC on and off, in between helping my brother track down his ex-girlfriend’s killers. Not something I’m going to share with Willow, but let’s just say it’s a passion project, and she’s on a need to know basis.
Willow has always been a good listener, and I’m surprised when she asks me questions about where we plan to start and getting new business. I don’t wanna really talk shop, but hey, if it means spending more time with her, then I’ll talk about the goddamn man on the moon.
When we get to her apartment building, the doorman greets her by name, frowning when he sees me. If only he knew the fucking truth of who I am.
I open my mouth to say goodnight when Willow says, “It’s okay, Ricky, he’s with me.”
His frown deepens as I give him a chin lift. “She’s my wife,” I add with a smile.
I get the same reaction I always get — shock. Yep, I know. Imagine a police officer, attractive and smart, falling for a man like me. Unfathomable. Still, I hide all of my insecurities as she tugs on my cut, heading to the elevator. I’ve never seen the inside of her condo.
“Willow?” I start, as she turns to look up at me. “I should go.”
She shakes her head. “Come on, Hazey, you know you’ve wanted to see the view from my room ever since I moved to New Orleans.”
That may be true, but I’m not taking advantage of her. Yet, my feet betray me as I step inside the elevator with her. She swipes the fob and then hits the button with her floor number and I stare at her in the reflection of the mirrored doors.
“Hazey?”
She snorts. “Jesus, lighten up, you’d think I’ve never asked you to come up to my condo before.”
“You haven’t,” I remind her.
“Duh. I meant when we were together.”
Ah, yes. When my beautiful Willow would be in our bed every single night and I couldn’t get enough of her.
“When we were together, you didn’t have to ask. I guess being married does have its perks after all.” Well, it’s only the truth. She turns, and then all of a sudden, she’s standing right in front of me. I glance down. “You okay?”
“Do you ever think about us?”
