Page 62 of Anything For This Love

“He said I’m doing great and don’t need to hold back from doing anything I did before my heart attack. I can drive, go anywhere I want to, and take care of my grandbaby. I’m not an invalid.”

My eyes soften. “I know you’re not, Enisi. I understand you’re capable, but I worry about you.”

“I know you do, sweetheart, but I know the signs now and I know better than to ignore them. If I start having those symptoms, I’ll call you. I just want you two to have a good time. You’re young and in love. Go live your life.”

“Thank you, Enisi.” I wrap her in my arms and hold her tight. I don’t know what I would do without her.

An hour later, I’m dressed in a red, long sleeved cocktail dress adorned with sequins. Another clearance rack find from an after Christmas sale. I pair it with black pumps and a simple black clutch, pinning one side of my hair away from my face, the soft curls flowing over one shoulder.

“You look beautiful, sweetheart,” my grandmother praises, taking me in from head to toe.

“Pwetty mommy,” Chloe croons. I bend down and rub my nose against hers. She scrunches up her face, letting out a burst of giggles. I hug and kiss her goodbye before grabbing my coat and letting Jacob lead me out to his Range Rover.

We pull up to the local arts center and I glance at the bright marquee sign outlined with giant white light bulbs. Beneath a name I don’t recognize readsComedy showand I instantly perk up. I’ve never been to a comedy show, but I love watching stand-up comedians on TV.

I turn to Jacob, beaming. “This looks like fun!” I gush, grabbing my clutch and preparing to open my door.

“Hold on a sec.” He rests his hand on my forearm to stop me, and when I look back, he reaches for me, sliding his cool palm against my cheek and pulling me to him. His lips meet mine in a fiery kiss, one that promises more when he finally gets me completely alone. I succumb to it, opening my mouth and sliding my tongue against his. A moment later he releases me and wipes his mouth.

“Good thing I didn’t wear that red lipstick you requested,” I tease.

“Either way, your lips are irresistible. I can’t wait to feel them again later.”

A shiver moves through me, anticipation tingling along my pebbled skin.

We brave the chilly night air and stride up to the box office, handing the clerk our tickets. The lights begin to dim as we take our seats and a moment later, the comedian comes on the stage. He dives right in, his jokes relatable and frequently raunchy. He even pokes fun at the presidential candidates, a common theme during election time. Even his jokes about Arthur are funny and not too harsh. By the time his set is over, my stomach hurts from laughing so hard.

I’d grown accustomed to the heat of the theater and the minute we step outside, my body shivers from the February cold. A large portion of my legs are bare, and the neckline of my dress is cut rather low. I pull my coat tighter around myself, trying to stave off the frigid wind.

“It’s too cold for you to walk that far. Go back inside and I’ll pull around.”

“Are you sure?” I ask, bouncing around to increase my body temperature.

“Of course.”

“Thank you.” I dash back inside, soaking in the inviting warmth of the theater. A few minutes later, Jacob’s SUV comes into view and I make a beeline for it, quickly opening the door and slipping inside. Warm air blasts from the heater and I sigh in relief as the heated air hits my icy skin.

“Are you ready for dinner?”

“Yes,” I affirm, trying not to sound whiny. My stomach was rumbling with hunger the whole time we were at the theatre.

“Good. I’ve got something special planned.” We head toward the river, passing by a few restaurants with packed parking lots. I hope wherever we’re going isn’t that busy. As we near the entrance to the luxury resort, I realize where we’re headed and anxious knots form in my stomach. We pull up to the valet booth outside Wolf’s Den Lodge and I straighten my spine. I’m not the nervous, insecure girl I was the first time Jacob brought me here. I’m the mother of his child and the woman he’s in love with. I won’t let this place or the people who dine here intimidate me.

We’re taken immediately to a small, private table tucked into a corner with two candles lit in the center. Our waiter arrives shortly after and recites the specials for us before taking our orders, returning with a bottle of champagne that Jacob requested. The sharply dressed waiter pours us each a glass before leaving to give the chef our order.

“What should we toast to?” Jacob asks, lifting his glass in the air. I think on it a moment, tapping my chin with my forefinger. His lips curve into a smile at my silly gesture.

“To our future and always loving each other, even when it’s not easy.” His expression turns serious as he stares into my eyes.

“I’ll toast to that.”

His gaze feels hot on my skin, as though he can see deep into my soul. I want a future with him more than anything, but I have no clue about how we’ll make it work. I’ve tried to avoid thinking about it, always focused on overcoming the next hurdle, but we finally have a chance to focus on us. Setting aside any apprehension I feel, I ask the question that’s been swirling around in my head.

“What exactly does our future look like, Jacob?”

He studies me a moment before answering. Leaning forward, he folds his hands together in front of him. “Our future looks like a house we pick out together. You’ll want a big backyard and I’ll want a gourmet kitchen, so we’ll have to look at twice as many houses as we want to.” I can’t fight the grin that spreads across my face, knowing that’s exactly how house hunting would go for us. “It looks like you in a white dress walking toward me down an aisle covered with rose petals that Chloe sprinkled along the runner.” My breath hitches, the sincerity in his words causing my chest to constrict. “It looks like us one day giving Chloe a little brother or sister. That is, if you’re up for having more children.”

“I am,” I rush to assure him.

---