Page 79 of Dangerous Encore

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6

Joel

Vincent is surprisingly welcoming.It can't just be that I'm now an expert on jazz. Bella must have saidsomethingto him while I was out picking up tacos, but it couldn't have been her potentialpregnancy.

He'd be decking merightnow.

Or maybe not. This is how it goes for most people. You get married. Then you have kids. Only most people date, get engaged, and plan a wedding before they getmarried.

Most people don't marry a stranger inVegas.

Vincent looks out of place dining on street tacos in his fancy outfit, but he pulls it off. The guy has class. Andstyle.

He's not so bad, really. Even if he still looks at me like he's not sure I'm good enough forBella.

I get that he wants toprotecther.

We both want the bestforher.

After lunch, we talk with another round of tea/coffee. We watch one of Bella's mom's favorite movies, then we help Bella fixdinner.

I study every single expression that flickers in my wife's eyes, but I don't call her on anyofthem.

It's a nice afternoon. A nice dinner. A nice night after we walk Vincent back to his hotel then walk back home on thebeach.

The only sound around us is the waves crashing into thebeach.

The stars are bright. The air isbrisk.

I pull Bella closer to keepherwarm.

And I stare back intohereyes.

I'm still not sure what she'sthinking.

And I'm still desperate tofindout.

But I can tell she needs thebreak.

When we get back home, I put aside my demand that she take the testrightaway.

I boot up the firstHarry Pottermovie, I pitch a marathon, I collapse onto the couch next to her, and I hold her until she falls asleep inmyarms.

* * *

Iwake beforeBella.

I fix my coffee.Hertea.

I make eggs and keep them warming inthepan.

I stare out the window, letting my thoughts float along thebreeze.

My entire life, the only thing I've really wanted to do isentertain.

I love making peoplelaugh.

I love makingmusic.

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