That realization doesn’t scare me as much as I thought it would. Neither does her confession. No, that doesn’t scare me, thinking about what she did. The alternative of how that night could have ended scares me a hell of a lot more. What scares me is trying to make sure she doesn’t go to jail. Now that our relationship has morphed into something so special, I can’t imagine a life without her in it. I don’t want to be alone anymore I want her by my side. I’ve spent too many years fighting for everyone else. But now, with Lily, I want to be selfish. I want to fight for her because that is a fight for myself and what I want. I just have to figure out how to keep what I want.
Arms wrap around my waist as I take another sip ofbourbon, pulling a hint of a smile from me. Lily rests her cheek against my back as she hugs me tight. The smell of her body wash fills my nostrils since she’s fresh from the shower.
Spinning in her arms, I pull her into me, burying my fingers in her wet hair and holding her head to my chest. I kiss the top of her head, letting my lips linger and enjoying this moment with her.
Making a decision, I ask, “Is there any way you can take a long lunch tomorrow? I have somewhere I want to take you.”
She pulls her head away from me and looks up at my face, a small smile playing on the lips I love to taste. “Yeah, I think I could do that. Where are we going?”
Gripping her chin, I tilt her head up more. “It’s a surprise.”
Then I take her lips in a kiss that I hope conveys every emotion I want to say out loud, but can’t bring myself to quite yet.
Lily eyesthe building cautiously as I pull into the parking spot. “Is this about to be one of those reality TV show episodes where they lock someone inside a jail so they turn their life around and make better choices?”
I chuckle and turn off the engine. “No, Lily. That’s not what this is.”
She doesn’t look convinced as she unbuckles her seatbelt. “Whatever you say.”
Smiling, I get out of the car, and Lily follows suit. We meet at the front of my car, and I intertwine our fingers, herwarm palm soothing me. I didn’t think I’d be this nervous, but my stomach is in knots.
What if Tom doesn’t like her? Or vice versa?
I don’t even know what I’d do in that situation, so with each step closer to the door, I try to push that out of my mind. It doesn’t work, but I try.
Once we’re signed in and seated at the table, waiting for Tom to be brought out, I turn to her and say, “I wanted to introduce you to Tom.”
She gives me a nervous smile, and it makes me feel better that I’m not alone in that sentiment. “I was thinking that might be the case when the guards knew you by name. I figured you probably wouldn’t be bringing me to see some random client of yours.”
Placing an elbow on the table, I run my fingers over my mouth. I feel like I should say something more. But I’m unsure how to tell her that I want her to meet the man who changed my life in more ways than I can count.
It all sounds like too much and not enough at the same time. I’m saved by the door across the room opening, and the guard waves Tom through. Surprise flickers across Tom’s face when he sees I’m not alone at the table.
As he gets closer, I steal a glance at Lily. She’s watching him approach with a cautious smile on her face and her hands clasped in her lap. I rub a hand up and down her back as Tom takes his seat.
His eyes shine as he takes in my gesture and throws a knowing smile my way before looking back at Lily.
“Lily, this is Tom. Tom, this is Lily, my…girlfriend?” I wince as I finish the introduction. For all my stressing, I never thought about how to explain what she is to me. I probably should’ve just left it as her name, but here we are.
Lily pats my leg with a laugh. Extending her hand to Tom, she gestures between us with her other hand. “This is still pretty new, so labels are hard. Hi, Tom. It’s nice to meet you.”
Tom’s grin widens. “It’s nice to meet you, too, Lily.”
He shakes my hand next, his grip a little tighter than normal. I hope he’s trying to convey something positive. If the look on his face is any indication, I would guess it is.
“So Lily, tell me about yourself.”
Lily tells Tom about her job and how she moved to Nashville. And the things she misses about Seattle. His questions help me learn even more about her, and I just sit there reveling in the moment. The two of them chatting away, laughing and teasing me, is just the way I’d always want it to be between the woman I love and the man who helped make me who I am.
The disappointed look on both of their faces when the guard informs us that our time is up confirms that I made the right decision—helping Lily all those weeks ago and bringing her here today.
As soon as we’re outside the doors, I spin Lily into my chest, and my lips take hers in a hard kiss. She doesn’t hesitate to kiss me back, spurring me to deepen the connection. I grip her head so I can angle her face perfectly, our lips and tongues doing all the talking. It isn’t until I hear someone clear their throat that I remember we’re in the parking lot of a prison.
I break the kiss and stare down at her flushed face. We’re both breathless as I take her hand and we make our way back to my car.
She stops before getting in and turns to me. “Thank you for letting me meet Tom. I can see why he’s important to you.”
Swallowing down my emotions, I peck her lips. “I have no doubt he feels the same about you.”
