Page 18 of Timeless: Encore

“Like where?” The thought of the three of us going on vacation excites me. We had the best time last year traveling with LTZ throughout Asia. At least until Corey renewed the custody shit and we had to cut the trip short.

He pulls away and paces. “Well. New York, of course. But, I was thinking. If we plan ahead enough, we can go to the cities with Michelin Star restaurants and you can eat the menus instead of reading about them.”

“Wow.” Now, I’m intrigued. “That would be incredible. Most of them book out months in advance, though.”

He cocks a brow. It takes me a minute and then I clue in. I sometimes still forget that my Zane is also famous guitar player Zane Rocks, who can get into any place, anywhere, at any time.

“When would we leave?” I shut my laptop and focus on the conversation at hand.

He walks over to the fridge where Mia’s school schedule is posted. He taps the calendar. “Maybe aim for the weekend after school ends?”

“I promised Alex I’d bring Mia over to meet Lena this summer.” I join him and peer at the dates. “I was also planning on hiring some staff in a month or two, now that I have a handle on the food vibe I want. Once they’re on board, I’ll be buried in training, menu development. Hiring a PR firm. All the things I’ll need to do to get open and then provide the type of service that will get Gus noticed.”

His arm loops around my neck. “You can do all that stuff and we’d still have time to take a few weeks off to just chill. Wouldn’t it be fun to have some adventure time with our daughter?”

“Yeah. It would.” I press my lips to his. “OMG. This is so exciting.”

“Should we take Olga?” He’s giddy. Olga is our new nanny. A fifty-something badass whose kids are all grown. We hired her thinking I’d be at the restaurant this summer. When the construction delays overwhelmed us, she agreed to be on call. I get where he’s going with this. It could be the perfect opportunity to integrate her into our routine.

I nod vigorously. “That’s a great idea. Hell yeah.”

“Good. I’ll get it all arranged.” He kisses me. Savors my lips. Nuzzles my neck.

I pull up his shirt. “Take this off, I want to show my appreciation.”

“I don’t have a problem with that.” He grins and flings his tee to the floor.

“I made the appointment.” I lick his neck and suck on his earlobe. “We’ll go in next week, okay?”

His relief is palpable. Zane grips my shoulders and touches his forehead to mine. “Thank you, Fee.”

“I’ll never do anything to hurt you, babe. To hurt us.” I hope he can see how sincere I am.

He nods. Breathes out a final sigh he’d obviously been holding in. “I know.”

“I want to figure it all out. Having your support is everything.” I close my eyes and breathe in deeply as we melt into each other.

Zane rests his hands on my waist, which is thicker than I want it to be, but I don’t flinch. He strokes around to my round ass and grips. I allow myself to enjoy his touch. Push thoughts of my weight and size out of my mind. Zane loves me as I am. With the help of Xanax quelling my negative thoughts, I settle into the feeling. Accept it. Enjoy it.

He takes my hand and leads me upstairs to our bedroom where he strips me naked.

When we make love, it feels incredible.

Transcendent.

Like we’re back on track.

I’m going to make certain it stays this way.

Chapter six

ZANE

A Few Weeks Later

Nearlythirtythousandfansat Leader Bank Pavilion in Boston chant and scream for an encore. I’m standing stage left, waiting for my queue. I glance over at Knox Gallagher, the guitarist for Wycked Obsession. He tips his chin at me. I nod back.

Adrenaline courses through my body. It’s been months since I’ve been on stage and I’m so fucking stoked. I glance behind me where Fee stands with the significant others of the band. Her arms are wrapped protectively around Mia, who wears full rock-chick regalia including an LTZ T-shirt. Hot-pink headphones. Both waive and smile. I make a kissy face back to them and then turn back toward the stage.

---