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Emmanuel couldn’t help himself. He wanted to ignore Frank, but he asked, “What do you think happened after someone slipped something into my food?”

“Maybe they followed you back up to your room and waited for you to pass out, then they milked you for a sample.”

Frank snapped his fingers. “Is that any way to greet your oldest friend?

“Aren’t you supposed to be on a cruise?” Emmanuel countered.

“Darren got offered rink-side tickets to the Hockey game. I called the cruise people, and they changed the date. Then I thought I would come over. I’m in the mood to rewatch the last episode of Games of Thornes (GOT).”

Damn those cruise people and Darren’s plans. Emmanuel was hoping Frank would be too preoccupied to stop by.

His first order of business was to address GOT. He wanted it clear that the option wouldn’t be on the table now or ever. “I’ve already sat through that shit once. It bears repeating, I’m not doing it again.”

It was then that Frank took in his appearance. Sweeping his gaze from his head to toe. “You’re going out? Where are you going?”

“Well Dad, I’m taking my wife out. If that’s okay with you?”

“Ivy?”

“She’s the only one I have.”

Excitement morphed his expression. “So, what does that mean? You’re moving back home?”

“No. It means that we are just going to have dinner.”

“I love you two, but it has to be said. You guys are fucking weird.”

“Thank you for your opinion.”

Frank’s assessment irked him.

“Look, I didn’t mean any offence. It is just I still don’t get why you moved out. Especially whenever I see either of you, you guys still look like moon-eyed, love-struck kids.”

“If this is weird for you, imagine what it is like for the both of us. So tonight, we are just going to put all that shit to the side. Sorry, you are going to have to find something else to do tonight.”

They had agreed that Roy would drop Ivy off at the restaurant. The condo wasn’t too far away, so he’d walked over to Fusion. Emmanuel was there waiting to open the door the moment the car came to a stop. He reached inside and as soon as their hands connected, all these years later, he still felt that ever-present spark. A few days apart couldn’t dim their connection. By the time Ivy emerged from the vehicle, his smile was mega-watt. The first thing he noticed was her smile mirrored his own.

“Come here Doc,” Emmanuel instructed as he pulled her into his arms. She sighed as he embraced her.

“Hey, Manny.” Her voice was light and airy.

He wished they could remain this way, but they were on a bustling sidewalk. He pulled her away enough so he could give her a brief, tender kiss. Anything more than that, and their plans for the night would have been thwarted.

“Let’s get you cleared out of the door so Roy can be on his way.”

Once they had waved Roy off, they still stood facing each other, holding hands. Her hair was pulled back in one ponytail, and her makeup was light and flawless. Ivy wore her long wool coat, which probably meant that she was wearing a skirt or dress beneath it. He was looking forward to seeing her outfit. Especially because she wore healed boots.

“Hey Manny, do you mind if we go for a walk before we go in to eat?”

It was a nippy winter night. Despite the temperature being below zero, there was no wind.

“You won’t be too cold?”

“No. The walking with keep me warm.” As Ivy spoke, she let go of his hands and pulled her gloves out of her pocket. “There. I’m all set.”

They didn’t have a reservation, so why not? The couple held hands as they walked the busy streets. She was right, as long as they were moving, the cold wasn’t a bother.

“So, what inspired this walk?”

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