Epilogue

“It’s easier to explain your feelings for an abused whore than a man who held you prisoner. Is that about the size and shape of it?” I kept the sound of my balls shriveling from my voice.

Livvie appeared horrified.

“No! James… no. It’s more like… you could be so cold. But when I was at my lowest, when I felt like I was hanging on by a thread… you always knew what to say. You have this ability to hold me and make me believe you. You’re full of warmth and kindness.”

I had to scoff at that, and Livvie slapped my arm.

“You are!” she insisted. “I couldn’t even see you in that room sometimes, but I could still feel it. I didn’t understand where it came from, but when I hear you talk about the past it all makes sense to me.”

Admittedly, I was a little embarrassed. I’m not really accustomed to compliments, especially when they’re intensely personal and genuine. The void almost felt… full. I, on the other hand, felt squirmy.

“Well then. Good. I suppose. It’s good that you think I’m… nice.”

“James, you look like I just farted in your general direction.” She grinned.

“What! That’s disgusting.”

Livvie laughed. It was her incredibly loud cackle that meant she couldn’t control herself. It was not a pretty sight, but I loved it when she laughed like that. I love it when she laughs like that.

“No. It’s Monty Python.”

I was laughing too. Livvie’s laughter is too infectious not to take part in it.

“A what?”

“It’s a movie.” She wiped tears from her eyes.

I pulled her hand toward my mouth and licked her finger. There are so many kinds of tears. I plan to collect them all.

“I’m not sure I want to see it.”

Livvie leaned forward and kissed my lips.

“Well, we have to now. It’s an older movie and over-the-top ridiculous, but I can’t wait to see your face.”

I made a face of the “what the hell is wrong with you?” variety.

“It’s disturbing when you do that. I always know when something big is about to happen because there you are, staring at me with your huge doe eyes.”

Livvie shrugged.

“Not my fault you’re so nice to look at.” Her expression turned ruefully judgmental. “You’re the only person I know who looks sexier with bruises.” She poked the butterfly stitch on my eyebrow and I hissed.

“Dammit, Pet. That hurts.” I’d been visiting the gym a few times a week and sparring. I fought Fernando mostly, but other fighters from time to time. Some of them were even decent conversationalists, so long as the topic didn’t stray from matches, fighting styles, or food intake. I was compelled to try a protein shake… once.

“Oh? And it didn’t hurt when that guy kicked you in the face?” She made a fist and twisted it near the corner of her eye while sticking out her bottom lip.

“Are you calling me a cry baby?” I stood and glared. Livvie’s head was craned all the way back to meet my eyes. “Big talk for such a little girl.”

“I’m not scared of you. I’ll poke your band-aid.” She puffed out her ample chest.

It was difficult to keep a straight face. Had I really been outmatched by her? The answer was a resounding yes.

“You poke my band-aid and you’re going to have a serious problem.”

She sucked in her cheeks to keep from smiling. Slowly her hand reached up toward my eyebrow. Her eyes met mine. She considered. A flicker of excitement caused her to lick her bottom lip. She pressed her fingertip to my cut. I didn’t wince.

“Is this the part where I get angry and threaten to teach you a lesson?” I asked calmly. Livvie practically vibrated with excitement.

“Yes.” She shivered.

“When do you leave for work?”

“I have a few hours.” She sounded breathy.

“Well then.” I caressed her face so I could watch the way she closed her eyes to savor my touch. With my other hand, I grabbed a fistful of hair and pulled. “Let’s go teach you some manners.”

***

“Remind me again. Why are we spending our romantic evening with Claudia and Rubio? If romance is what you’re after, it seems counterproductive to have other people in attendance.” I’d forgotten my shoes in my hotel room and we were forced to go and retrieve them. The clock in my dash display reminded me we were supposed to pick up the other couple in an hour.

“Because, Best Boyfriend in the World, it’ll be fun. Also, Rubi really wanted to take Claudia somewhere nice. He’s been saving up since Christmas. Can Fabes is supposed to have amazing food. I still don’t know how you managed to make reservations. How did you get reservations anyway? It was pretty short notice.” Livvie checked her lipstick in the visor mirror for the third time. I think she just liked the way her lips looked in red. So did I.

“It was short notice because you didn’t tell me I was supposed to plan something. Valentine’s Day? I’ve heard of it, but I had no idea people actually participated in such… sentimentality. Don’t they get enough of that during Thanksgiving and Christmas?” I put my blinker on and moved to the passing lane to get around someone in what appeared to be a golf cart. Fuel-efficient cars. Bleh!

“Changing the subject, James. I’m on to your tactics.” Livvie glared. A smile played on her lips.

“I went down to the restaurant in person and charmed the hostess. She was very amenable.” I grinned. Livvie’s smile turned sour. “You asked.” I shrugged.

“I didn’t ask you to flirt with another girl.”

“I didn’t say I flirted. I said I was charming. I simply explained that I was a cad who’d made the grievous mistake of not acquiring reservations to take my beautiful girlfriend and her entourage to dinner on the most romantic day of the year. I told her I’d be lost without you and that anything she could do to help me keep your favor would be worthy of my deepest gratitude. Then I tipped her a day’s wages.” I kept my eyes forward, though I knew my expression remained smug.

“Asshole,” Livvie said. She grabbed my hand and put it in both of hers, squeezing.

“Idiot,” I countered. “As if anyone else could hold my attention.” I squeezed her hand in return.

“I got you a present,” she said.

“Kitten,” I admonished. “We already exchanged gifts.” I’d given her pearls. She’d gifted me with the sight of her in a red cape and heels high enough to nearly put us at eye level. It had been a very short but enjoyable chase. No one could run in those things. I forbid her to wear them outside the house.

“Relax. It’s no big deal.” She opened her purse and took out a box of candy. I laughed.

“It looks open.”

“I ate most of them,” she said.

“You are so strange sometimes, Pet.”

“Method to my madness, Sexy. Open your hand.” I complied and she put the heart-shaped candies in my palm. When I looked at them, I felt as though someone had squeezed my heart. All the candies read “Be Mine.”

“I’m already yours, Pet. And you’re mine.” Stuffing my mouth full of candy hearts may have lessened the romance of the moment, but Livvie didn’t seem to mind.

“Yes, yours,” she said. She kissed my cheek.

I felt in my heart the affirmation of what I had come to suspect was true for some time. What she really meant was: I love you.

After retrieving my shoes and picking up Claudia and Rubio (I have never been comfortable with calling that man Rubi), we arrived at the restaurant with ten minutes to spare. I felt the slightest bit awkward as we approached the hostess. She was the same woman from the week before and she smiled warmly. However, I didn’t miss the way her eyebrow lifted as she saw the young crowd I’d brought with me. I could never be ashamed of Livvie, but traveling with three younger people made me feel… old. There had been a time when it wouldn’t have bothered me because I had no idea of my age. Regardless, the hostess greeted us warmly.

“Señor Cole.” She pointed us in the direction of our waiter, who greeted us with a smile and asked us to follow him.

“Your last name is Cole? Like Sophia’s?” Claudia sounded incredulous.

“Strange coincidence,” I said.

Claudia shrugged and it made her look younger, despite the very adult cocktail dress she was wearing.

“I guess if you ever get married you won’t argue about whether or not Sophia will change her name.”

“Claudia,” Livvie hissed.

The waiter averted his gaze with a tight-lipped smile as he ushered us into our seats. I helped Livvie out of her coat and pulled out her chair (six months prior I couldn’t open a door). Rubio, upon witnessing my impeccable boyfriend skills, assisted Claudia. The ladies seemed to appreciate it very much.

“I will give you a moment to go over the menu while I check your coats.” The waiter walked away with the coats. I watched him speak to the hostess and surmised she was supposed to check our coats when we arrived. I hoped I didn’t get her into any trouble. Then again, she should have done her job.