Page 142 of F*ckboys

It's the truth. To see her this happy, I would move mountains. And if a bouncy castle is what it takes, so be it. I tighten my arms around Fallon, unwilling to let go of this perfect moment. Some things are worth any cost.

We stumble out of the bouncy castle, dizzy and breathless. I pull her close, the solid warmth of my body chasing away the chill. My fingers lace with hers, a familiarity that still has the power to make my heart stutter.

Fallon smooths her dress, cheeks flushed. "I can't believe you did this for me."

"Believe it." I tuck a stray curl behind her ear. "Because I'd do anything for you."

Her eyes soften, and she blinks back tears. "I know you would."

Her words settle over me, a promise I cling to. We've weathered betrayal and heartbreak to find our way back here, to a place of understanding. I will be here for her, and I will do anything she wants or needs.

I take Fallon's hand and lead her to the car. Our next stop is one of my hidden secrets—a hole-in-the-wall, family-run Italian restaurant that not many people know about. I made a call earlier to ensure we have their most private table, candlelit and ready.

As we walk through the door, a cheer goes up from the workers bustling around the kitchen and dining room. Fallon blinks in surprise as the older couple who own the restaurant hurry over, enveloping me in warm, familiar hugs.

"You're back, Aksel darling! And with a beautiful woman, no less." The older woman pinches my cheek, her eyes twinkling. "You'll do," she grins. She leans in to expect Fallon more closely. "Sì, sì. You really are very pretty." I look on with alarm, but thankfully Nonna Giulia leaves Fallon's cheeks unscathed.

Heat rises on the back of my neck at their warm welcome. I've been coming here for years, but never with a woman on my arm. Fallon is the first, and if I have any say, the last.

Our table in the corner is just as I requested. Fallon sits across from me, curiosity in her gaze. "You've obviously been here before, everyone knows you." A statement, not a question. "You're like the restaurant's celebrity or something."

I nod, pouring champagne into her glass. "I've been here many times. The food is amazing. But tonight's company is even better."

A soft flush stains her cheeks at the compliment. She opens her mouth to speak, but is interrupted by the young grandson of the owners who toddles over to our table carrying an ornate black box which he solemnly presents to Fallon.

"A gift from the gentleman." He says in toddler voice, stumbling endearingly over the word gentleman, his chubby finger pointing in my direction before he dashes off.

Fallon stares at the box in disbelief, glancing between it and me. I lift one shoulder, unable to keep the smile from my lips. "Aren't you going to open it?"

With trembling fingers, Fallon lifts the lid. Her breath catches at the sight of the sparkling diamond tennis bracelet nestled inside.

"Aksel, it's too much." Eyes shining, she looks up at me, lifting the bracelet out of its box and turning it over in her hands, admiring it.

"Nothing is too much for you." I take the bracelet and fasten it around her wrist, the diamonds winking in the candlelight. "Perfect."

Just like this moment. Just like us.

The conversation flows easily, like the wine, and servers shuffle back and forth with complimentary tastings from the chef and his team. Every bite is more delicious than the last.

Amidst the accordion music and clattering of a busy Italian kitchen, cheeks flushed from the wine, Fallon leans back with a contented sigh. "I can't remember the last time I laughed like I have today."

"Too long." I capture her hand, brushing my lips over her knuckles. "You deserve to be happy, Fallon. To have someone who puts a smile on your face every damn day."

"And you think you're that someone?" Fallon arches a brow but doesn't pull away.

"I know I am." I lace our fingers together, staring into eyes that hold a lifetime of memories. "We have a history, you and I. One that transcends all the bullshit we went through. What we had—it was real. And it's still there, waiting for us to claim it."

Fallon looks away, but not before I glimpse the sheen of tears in her eyes. "I'm afraid, Aksel. Afraid to believe that this time will be different."

"I know." I lift her hand to my lips again, grazing her skin with feather-light kisses. "But I'm here to catch you if you fall. I'm here, and I'm never leaving you again. My role is to protect your heart now."

Against all odds, it feels like we might have just found our way back to each other. Back to love.

Fallon

"You saved the restaurant." I say in a hushed whisper. I glance around at the cozy interior, the tables filled with chatting customers. "All of these people, their jobs..."

Over the course of the seriously exquisite Italian meal, it emerged that a couple of years back the restaurant was days away from going out of business. Rising property prices were making it unprofitable and driving it out of the neighborhood. But Aksel heard about the owners' plight, and invested to ensure it could stay open. Another revelation about this complex man.

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