Page 124 of First Comes Forever

“I saw it while I was at the store. The green reminded me of your eyes. I was being playful.”

A little lost for words, I slide my tongue between my lips, wetting them. “What the fuck kind of office supply store were you shopping at?”

He lets out a breathy laugh. “No, I’ve had that for a while.”

“Well, now I’m embarrassed for assuming,” I grumble, touching my hot cheeks with the back of my hand.

He pulls me back into his body and runs his thumb across my cheeks. “These freckles,” he murmurs. “Amani, when I propose to you, it’s going to be in a place as beautiful as you are. I’ll fly you to Paris, Bora Bora, or Milan, and treat you to the most romantic night of your life. I’m going to earn your ‘yes.’ I’m not going to casually throw a ring at you in Chase Ford’s guest house, okay?”

I nod. “Good call. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” He nuzzles the top of my head before planting a kiss. I enjoy his arms for as long as I can until a different stirring kicks up below my navel.

“Hey, Adam?”

“Yes, baby?”

I wriggle the box in front of him, the little green gem clanking against the piercing. “Come on. Let’s go try it on.”

epilogue

two years later

Ihope she’s okay.

She’s going to be okay.Or at least I try to convince myself so. Amani’s feeling much better lately.

Her pregnancy has been miserable, to say the least. She spent the first five months cradling the toilet. She barely started eating again when the doctor put her on bedrest after she had some spotting. That was a really fucking scary night.

But now, she’s even back to work for Rychess Media, working happily from bed, cozy under the sheets. With my wife as comfortable as she can be, and my baby healthy and safe, I have to get some work done. I need to visit LMC Talent Agency in person because I am less than pleased with the requirements of Chase’s new offer. Dynasty Man was a major success. One movie turned into a trilogy, with cameos in all the other franchise movies.

While it means a lot of money for Chase, his travel schedule is ridiculous. He has a two-year-old daughter, and he’s trying to expand his family with Noa. Being away for ten months out of the year is not an option. A husband should be with his wife, and apparently, I’m going to need to spell this out for his agents in person.

With my suitcase in hand, rolling behind me, I’m almost out the door of my building when my phone rings. I assume it’s Amani, so I halt in place and scramble for my phone.

“Hello?” I answer without checking the caller ID.

But it’s not Amani. “Hey, Son.”

“Dad,” I exclaim. “Hey. How are you? Wait—” Pulling the phone from my ear, I press the video button. Instantly, my dad’s face fills the screen. He’s wearing a wide grin.

“Good morning. There you are, kid. Good to see you.”

His face is full and round. Dad has put on nearly twenty pounds since I left California two years ago. All thanks to Mom’s peanut butter and lemon meringue pies.

“You look like you’re headed somewhere,” he says.

“Actually, I’m headed your way. I’m in Denver right now. I have some business in California, though. Maybe I can swing by Piermont after my meetings tonight?”

Dad’s been doing so well lately that Mom, Alex, and I have been debating moving him out of Piermont and into a house with Mom. It’s more convenient, especially because Mom visits him every day. Even on the bad days. It doesn’t matter if he remembers her or knows where they are in the timeline in their relationship, she faithfully visits him every day.

“Ah, no,” he says, waving me off. “Don’t dawdle for me. You need to hurry back home and take care of your pregnant wife. How is she feeling these days?”

I sigh, knowing he’s talking about Liv. I just play along because I’m not breaking the news to him about his condition over the phone. Let him have a few moments of peace. I’m sure Mom and Alex will be by soon. I don’t want to upset him over a call.

“She’s good, but she’s on bedrest.” I lean against the nearest wall in the building lobby.

“Any cravings?” Dad asks with a smile.

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