Liv is silent.
Deathly silent.
Worry begins to weaken me. Doubt begins to devastate me.
“Damn it.” She stomps her foot adorably and huffs. “Damon La Rue, you are my biggest mistake, and I just can’t seem to learn my lesson.”
“Is that your roundabout way of telling me you forgive me?”
“Maybe.” She’s coy.
“You’re not going to make this easy, are you?”
“Never. You better get used to it.”
“That sounds more like forgiveness than not.” Liv smiles invitingly and I’m overcome with a potent mix of relief, joy and happiness. Without even thinking, I crush my mouth to hers, delivering a kiss bound with devotion and fortified with reverence. “Liv,” I tear myself open, exposing my biggest insecurity. “I don't have anything to give you except my heart. I hope it’s enough.”
“It’s more than enough. It’s all I need.”
Her reassurance erases all my fears and eliminates all my doubts.
“I love you.” I kiss her one more time for good measure. And maybe because I just can’t get enough of her.
“I love you, too.”
Hearing that puts all my anxiety at ease. It fills the holes in my heart and seals all the cracks in my soul.
“C’mon.” I skate my hand down her arm and entwine our fingers. “I think I’ve kept you away long enough. This is supposed to be your big night. Sorry I’m not dressed appropriately.”
“I’ll let it slide this time. But the next event, I want you in a full, three-piece suit.”
“Won’t that be a sight? Dapper Dan with an eyepatch.” I laugh.
“I hope the saying’s true.” Liv glares.
“What saying?”
“An eye for an eye. I hope Lev and Dima get everything that’s coming to them for doing that to you.” She’s like a feisty little lion cub.
I pause, realizing she doesn’t know. “Lev and Dima didn’t do this.”
“What?” She’s utterly confused.
“It happened in the desert with a vulture.” I explain, leaving out all the gory details.
Liv turns from a putrid shade of green to a ghostly shade of white all within the span of seconds. “Oh, Damon . . . I’m . . . oh, God.” She covers her mouth in horror.
“Stop.” I hug her. “It’s alright. I’m alright. I have you back, and right now, that’s all that matters.” I kiss her head and hold her close until the shock wears off. “You’re just going to have to get used to your boyfriend wearing an eyepatch. It’s going to make for great wedding pictures someday.”
I’m actually able to make Liv laugh. “I’m kinda digging the pirate look.” She discloses. “It’s hot.”
“Oh, yeah?” I’m intrigued.
“Yeah, you kind of have thisSons of Anarchy/Jack Sparrow thing going on.”
“You love the bad boys, huh?”
“Maybe just a little,” she flirts.
