Surprise dashes across her expression before she can lock it down.
I manage not to crow about the fact that she really doesn’t want me to leave. I wonder if she realizes that herself.
And that means I should leave for another reason—right now, she’s probably the most open to me coming back tomorrow.
That is of the utmost importance to me.
“I actually do need to go, for curfew reasons,” I say regretfully.
She makes a face, a reaction about her father.
I see that, too, but I lean in and pretend that she’s expressing sympathy. “Don’t feel sorry for me. If I pretend to be good tonight, then I can stay as long as you want me to tomorrow.”
Bright interest gleams in her eye.
“Would that be all right, Francesca? Can I come back tomorrow and woo you a little more?” I take her hand, threading our fingers together.
She lifts her face, and suddenly we’re very, very close. “Yes, you can come back tomorrow.”
I stare down into her eyes. I could get lost like this. I will, soon enough.
But for tonight, I have to find a way to let her go.
I kiss her slowly, thoroughly, putting everything I’m feeling into it. All the want and the need and the absolute certainty that this woman is it for me. All the gratitude I have for having found her, first on my thirtieth birthday, and now again.
When I finally pull away, she’s clinging to my shirt.
I kiss her forehead, then her nose, then her mouth one more time because I can’t help myself. “Good night, secret wife.”
I’m grinning like an idiot as I slide into the back of an Uber. My smile only gets bigger when my phone buzzes with a text a minute later.
Frankie
Good night, secret husband
My heart fucking soars.
Frankie
I can’t believe I just typed that out, you should delete this message
Logan
Never
Frankie
You’re very hard to say no to.
Logan
Do you still want to say no?
Frankie
I don’t think so, but I’m scared
Logan
