Page 100 of Out of the Shadow

“Thanks, Marlene. You saved the day.”

My cousin’s cheeks flush.

When they don’t explain any further, I ask, “What’s going on?”

King rubs his beard—he didn’t touch a razor in the hospital. I like his stubble, but this looks good on him, too. What doesn’t? Finally, he clears his throat. “My client. The ones I texted you about.”

I bite my lower lip. I didn’t read his texts, purposefully, but I couldn’t bring myself to block his number. So each time I got a text alert from him, I saw a few words, enough to get the gist. That’s how I was able to ignore those stupid photos fromThe Gossip, before Marlene even spoke to me about them. And I vaguely remember seeing something about new clients. “Oh. Well, you can bring me up to speed later.”

When the phone rings, Marlene jumps up to answer it. Putting aside the news about King’s clients, I place my right hand on top of his. “Do you feel up to going upstairs?”

His amber eyes shine, and he jumps to his feet. He makes a sweeping motion with his hands. “After you.”

I point to the apartment door as we walk by Marlene, who is busy taking down a message. It’s time to find more agents. As happy as I am about the agency’s blossoming success, all I can think about is what I’m about to show King. Maybe now’s not the right time to talk with him about this? He just got out of the hospital after all.

Except I know those are just excuses. I go up the stairs on rickety legs, then open my door and wait for King to walk through it.

“How are you feeling? Can I get you anything to drink?”

He rubs his hands on his thighs. “I’m fine, Angie. What did you want to show me?”

I pull on the ends of my hair. He might be fine, but I’m a bundle of nerves. “I’m going to make myself a cup of tea. Are you sure I can’t interest you in any?”

He shakes his head and walks over to the living room. I pour water into my mug and place it in the microwave to heat while I take out a bag of white tea. When I turn around, King’s standing in front of my wedding picture.

“I know I said this before, but you looked beautiful.”

“Thanks.” The microwave beeps and I leap to fix my tea, leaving it to steep on the peninsula. “Take a seat,” I say to him. “I’ll be right back.”

It’s now or never. Without waiting to see if King follows my directions, I head into my bedroom and open the side table. I pull out the old piece of notebook paper and straighten it on my leg. All except for the folded part. Inhaling a sob, I return to the living room.

King’s moved my tea to the tray on the oversized- ottoman. Placing the paper down next to the mug, I take a seat next to him. We’re not touching, but we’re close. So close his heat warms my leg.

I swallow. “King, I have to talk with you. Please let me get this out and don’t stop me.”

His hand lands on top of my thigh. Instead of turning me on, it gives me the reassurance to move forward.

“I need to confess something. I love Dante with all my heart. I still do. When I married him—our anniversary just passed—our vows meant the world to me. As you know, Dante was my soul mate. His disease didn’t lessen how we felt about each other.”

“Angie, you don’t have to continue. I know how you feel about him. You wear your heart on your wrist. Literally.”

Involuntarily, I twist my left hand so it shows my tattoo. I trace his name and the heart that surrounds it. Without looking up, I continue, “See this tattoo? It’s the most appropriate design I could have gotten to honor his life, although I wouldn’t have guessed the reason at the time. Dante is inside my heart, but he isn’t my entire heart. There’s room in here”—I move my hand to cover my real heart—“for someone else.”

I suck in air. King stares at me, a single tear rolling down his cheek.

“I want you to see this.” I pick up our Bucket List and hand it to him. The care with which he handles it makes my throat clog with emotion.

He reads all of the items. “You’ve done all but this last one. And you’re well on your way to making the agency Number One.”

“With your help.” I want to kiss him, but instead I place my left hand on top of the paper. It’s naked except for a tan line where my rings used to be.

He traces my empty ring finger. He doesn’t say a word, simply bows his head and kisses my bare knuckle.

Knowing I’ve made the right decision, I lick my lips. On an inhale, I unfold the bottom of the Bucket List, revealing Dante’s handwriting.

King’s eyes travel down to the last item on the list. “Angie gets married again, has babies and lives a full life of adventure for the both of us, with my blessing.”

As he reads, my eyes fill with tears. “I want that, King.” He looks at me. “With you.”

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