When I get downstairs, Ethan, Blaire, Raquel, Andrew, and Victor are all sitting in the living room talking. I wasn’t expecting Ethan’s parents to be here, but it’s a pleasant surprise. I stop at the foot of the stairs for a minute and watch everyone. Blaire says something about buying half the store and Victor beams at her. Ethan’s face splits into a gorgeous grin, and Raquel laughs loudly. Andrew chuckles and nods. These people in this room are my world. I hate that my parents aren’t here, but my goal before my surgery is to speak to my father and then hopefully get through to my mother. It shouldn’t be like this. We already lost Stephen. Life is too short, too uncertain to hold grudges and be mad at each other. My mother needs to understand my life is just that—my life. And while I want her to be a part of it, I’m not going to live it for her ever again. Hopefully the next time we’re all having dinner together, two more people will be here.
“There she is,” Ethan says, breaking me out of my thoughts. “How’re you feeling?” he asks softly, when he gets over to me.
“I’m okay.”
“I hope you don’t mind, but my mom was chomping at the bit to see us, so I invited them over as well.”
“I don’t mind at all.” I kiss his cheek. “More the merrier.”
The evening is spent with the six of us eating and conversing and laughing. We don’t end up watching a movie, instead opting to take the get-together outside to the back patio, where the mensmoke cigars and talk shop and the women plan our shopping trip.
The evening is perfect, and after everyone says their goodbyes, Ethan and I spend what’s left of our night wrapped up in each other. I never imagined my heart could feel so full and content as it does now. I used to think there was something wrong with me, why Gerald didn’t want me anymore, but now I know it was just part of God’s plan. I had to go through what I did to get to where I am. In Ethan’s arms, with him stroking my hair and telling me how much he loves me as he lulls me to sleep.
TWENTY-EIGHT
ETHAN
“Baby…”Nevaeh coos into my ear. I groan in exhaustion, but roll onto my side to face her. I was at the club until early this morning dealing with the books. Because I haven’t been as hands-on lately, everything’s piled up and I had no choice but to spend hours catching up on everything I’ve been neglecting. My parents helped out a great deal while we were away, but there are certain parts of the business only I can handle.
“I just wanted to let you know I’m leaving,” she says softly.
At her words, I wrench my lids open and find Nevaeh sitting on the side of the bed. She’s dressed in a flowy white top and a jean skirt with some fluffy-looking boots—none of which I’ve ever seen on her before. She and Blaire and my mom went shopping and to lunch yesterday, so she must’ve bought it all then.
“Just give me a second to get ready.”
Before I can move, though, she puts her hand on my chest. “Rosco is taking me. I texted him this morning when I saw you got in late.” She runs her fingers through my hair. “I just wanted to say bye.” When she leans over to kiss me, my hand snakes up her smooth thigh and under the material.
“This skirt is short.” I’ve never cared how Nevaeh dresses, but since she started coming out of her shell, shopping and buying the clothes she wants as opposed to the outfits her mother would approve of, she dresses a hell of a lot sexier—showing a lot more skin—and in turn, leaving me with a perpetual hard-on in my pants. Too many times I’ve considered selling everything I own and moving us to the mountains, so I can spend every waking hour in bed with my wife naked and under me.
Nevaeh giggles, smacks my hand, and stands. “Go back to sleep. Rosco is waiting for me downstairs.” My phone vibrates on the nightstand, but I ignore it. Whoever it is can wait.
“How about you stay here and cuddle with me instead?” I waggle my eyebrows.
Nevaeh smiles down at me and shakes her head, and fuck if her face doesn’t light up my entire world. She has less than a week until her surgery and I’m trying to share her with others, but all I want is to lock her in our room and make love to her. When I’m not monopolizing her time, she’s been spending time with Blaire and my mom, shopping and having girl time at the spa. I think they’re trying to keep her spirits high and distract her from what’s to come. Today, she’s finally meeting her dad for breakfast. I offered to go with her, but she said she’d like to talk to him alone.
“Wait…” I grab the backs of her legs and pull her into my lap. “I need one more kiss.” Our mouths unite and I get lost in the softness ofher lips—of the way her tongue moves with mine. She tastes like the peppermint tea she bought the other day and has been drinking every morning. She says it helps with the headaches and dizziness.
My fingers tangle in her hair and my other hand glides up the side of her leg.
“Ethan,” she moans. “I’m going to be late.”
“But it will definitely be worth it.” I pull her back to me for a kiss.
“Goodbye,” she says against my lips.
“Hello,” I murmur, not wanting to let her go.
“Go back to sleep and when I get back I’ll make it worth the wait.” She pecks my lips and climbs off me. But before she can get away, I pull her back and give her one last kiss.
“I love you, Angel.”
“I love you more.”
I keep my eyes open long enough to watch her leave, and then I roll over and fall back asleep, looking forward to when my wife gets home so she can make good on her promise.
TWENTY-NINE
NEVAEH
