Her father just wasn’t the kind of man who kept his word. Sure, there was a first time for everything, but would this be it? She hoped so very much it was.

Van was, so she smiled and nodded. “I’d love to be here for the change of seasons. It would be fun to go on a picnic. You, me, and Grom.”

“Then that is what we will do. But right now, we need to make a plan.”

“For Vegas, right?”

He nodded. “Also, I could eat. Shifting gives me an appetite. You wanted to go out for dinner, so let’s go. We can talk over the meal.”

“You have a place in mind?”

“There is a nice bistro in town. It’s quiet and romantic. What do you think?”

“I think that would be great.” It was what she’d wanted anyway, and now it sounded like a perfect date. What could be better than quiet and romantic? “I’ll go change.”

“Me too. After I feed Grom.”

They went inside, and she headed upstairs to pick through the clothing she’d brought. She’d already worn the fancy dress her mother had slipped into her suitcase, so she didn’t want to trot it out again. Plus, that might be too dressy for a bistro dinner. But Van had said quiet and romantic.

She opted for a black skirt, her knee-high black boots, and a marine-blue silk blouse that, with the top two buttons left undone, looked less officey and more professional sexy. Didn’t hurt that the color reminded her of Van’s gorgeous scales.

A little more makeup, a quick brush of her hair, and she was ready. She went downstairs just as he was walking out of his bedroom.

Except his bedroom was really the one she was leaving. He should have it back now. “You won’t have any trouble with the stairs now.”

“I will not.” He was in charcoal dress pants and a black V-neck sweater that clung to his sculpted chest and arms. It was a good look.

“I can move my stuff into the little bedroom when we get back.”

He gave her a curious look. “Why?”

“So you can have your real bedroom back.”

He glanced toward the upstairs before answering her. “That room is yours until you have a place of your own. I am fine down here.”

“But it’s your house.”

“Which means it’s also my decision. I stay where I am.”

She smiled as she walked over to him. “You’re very sweet for a guy who makes his living beating the crap out of other guys.”

He laughed. “My opponents do not think I’m sweet.”

She slipped her arms around his neck, leaned up, and kissed him. Whatever the outcome of the rematch, she doubted she’d be back here any time soon, so she wanted to make as many happy memories with Van as she could. These last few days might be enough to get through a few more years of misery.

He kissed her back, his hands coming to rest on her ribs. Something about him was different. Maybe it was the fact that he was no longer in pain, maybe it was being able to shift again, but he’d changed. He seemed more relaxed, for one thing. His kiss was slow and easy, like they had all the time in the world.

More than anything, she wished that was true. After a few long seconds, she broke the kiss, happy despite what lay ahead.

He held on to her. “You look very nice, by the way.”

“Thanks. So do you.”

“Ready to go? I called a Ryde before I changed, and he’s only one minute away.”

“Just need my coat and purse.” Both were by the door.

Van helped her into her coat, then slipped into his own. He put his hand on the doorknob, turning to give Grom a little talking-to before they left. “Be a good boy.”

Grom whined.

“Okay,” Van said. “I will try to bring you a doggy bag.”

She giggled. “You can understand what he says that well?”

He opened the door for her. “He is male, and men are simple creatures. Love us, appreciate us, feed us, we are happy.”

“Good to know.” She patted his chest as she walked past, mostly because she liked touching him. And she could.

A black SUV waited in the driveway. As Van locked the door, she said, “Hey, I thought you were going to drive. Do you not like to? Or are you just used to being driven around? I guess you must get chauffeured everywhere when you’re on tour.”

“I could have driven. And I do like to drive.” He took her hand and looked into her eyes. “But then I would not be able to pay as much attention to you as I would like.”

She grinned, unable to stop herself. “Like I said, very sweet.”

“And deadly,” he reminded her.

“Yes,” she said. “Very deadly.”

And, she hoped, very much hers.

Besides calling the Ryde, Van had phoned ahead to Café Claude to see if they needed a reservation. They hadn’t, but the man who’d answered the phone asked if they were coming in for a special occasion.

Van had told him it was their official first date. Saying those words had felt good. Like he was making a formal proclamation that he intended to woo Monalisa into becoming his woman. It was a serious undertaking, but he knew what that meant. Keeping her happy, providing for her, listening to her, being there for her in whatever way she needed. All things he was more than willing to do. And very happy to do. Because doing them meant sharing his life with her. And that thought never failed to bring him the most surprising joy.

Before her, he’d never really seen his future with anyone in it besides himself. Did that make him selfish? He wasn’t sure. He hoped not. Certainly with Monalisa around, he could learn not to be. There was no doubt in his mind that she made him a better man. And he’d definitely never felt this content.