Page 65 of Senior

I covered my mouth to stifle a laugh. “I was starving. That boy would not let me enjoy half the food he had me craving my entire pregnancy. Once he was out, I just wanted a good meal. I slept so good after that.”

“Oh, I know you did. You were in there snoring like a full-grown man.”

“Shut up, Stanley.”

He chuckled. “I’m just saying. You ate that same meal at least once a week for the first six months of that boy’s life.” He grabbed my hand and kissed it. “You’d never been more beautiful to me in that moment, Steph. Titty out, grease around your mouth, hair all over your damn hair, and I was insanely attracted to you all because you gave me my namesake.”

I blushed. “You were so sickening about that boy when he first came home. Always holding him and buying him shit he couldn’t even use as a baby. You were obsessed.”

“I was a first-time father with my first son. I just knew I was gonna be that boy’s best friend.”

“You were. Still are. Just not when it comes to me.”

He sighed. “I get his dislike of the thought of us being together. We don’t have a good track record. He doesn’t want me to hurt you or see you cry over me. He’s explained that and I respect it. I’m just not allowing it to be the reason we don’t have the happy ending we deserve. Now…” He kissed my fingers. “No more talk about Stanely Jr. Tonight is about me and you.” Turning my hand over, he kissed my palm. “I need your attention, my love. All of it for as long as I have you. Can you give me that?”

I smiled and nodded. “I can do that.”

“Good.”

He stood to his feet as the live band began to serenade us with a beautiful rendition of “If This World Were Mine”.

“Dance with me,” he said, reaching for my hand.

I pushed my chair back and allowed him to help me to my feet. He led me over to the dance floor and pulled me flush against him. I closed my eyes as he swayed us from side to side. Every so often, he placed kisses to my temple and whispered how much he loved me. My head was gone over this man.

He wasn’t perfect, but he was and had always been a good man. I could see that he was a better man these days. Not everyone would agree with us giving things another try, but I didn’t give a damn. I loved him. My heart wanted him. My soul craved him.

Life was too damn short to be miserable anyway.

Dinner and the live band were great.

Steph and I laughed, talked, and really enjoyed each other’s company. We’d been dancing the night away and the smile on her face was infectious. She loved dancing, and I loved dancing with her. By the time we got ready to leave, her feet were hurting in those heels.

“I need a foot massage,” she complained as we walked toward the elevator after I paid the bill. “My feet are on fire.”

I chuckled as we came to a stop. Stooping down, I lifted each of my pants legs and pulled out the slippers I had tucked into my socks.

“I got you, baby.”

She gasped as I kneeled in front of her. “You brought me shoes to change into?”

“I did. While I knew you would strut like the bad muthafucka you are, I also knew we’d be dancing and we’re getting older. We gotta be realistic, my love.”

She giggled as I slipped the heels off and placed the slippers on.

“I appreciate you being so thoughtful, Stanley.”

As I rose to my feet with her heels in my hand, she stood on her toes and pressed a kiss to my lips.

“I love you.”

“I love you too, mama.”

She linked our fingers and rested her head against my shoulder as we waited for the elevator. She stayed at my side as we took the long ride down. Valet already had my car pulled up since the restaurant took the liberty of calling down for us. Steph turned and kissed me once again before climbing into her open door. I closed it and tipped the valet before rounding the driver’s side to get in myself.

“I want you to come home with me,” I said as I pulled off from the curb.

“Senior.”