Before I Die

“I just wanted to let you know I’m leaving,” she says softly.

At her words, I wrench my lids open and find Nevaeh sitting on the side of the bed. She’s dressed in a flowy white top and a jean skirt with some fluffy-looking boots—none of which I’ve ever seen on her before. She and Blaire and my mom went shopping and to lunch yesterday, so she must’ve bought it all then.

“Just give me a second to get ready.”

Before I can move, though, she puts her hand on my chest. “Rosco is taking me. I texted him this morning when I saw you got in late.” She runs her fingers through my hair. “I just wanted to say bye.” When she leans over to kiss me, my hand snakes up her smooth thigh and under the material.

“This skirt is short.” I’ve never cared how Nevaeh dresses, but since she started coming out of her shell, shopping and buying the clothes she wants as opposed to the outfits her mother would approve of, she dresses a hell of a lot sexier—showing a lot more skin—and in turn, leaving me with a perpetual hard-on in my pants. Too many times I’ve considered selling everything I own and moving us to the mountains, so I can spend every waking hour in bed with my wife naked and under me.

Nevaeh giggles, smacks my hand, and stands. “Go back to sleep. Rosco is waiting for me downstairs.” My phone vibrates on the nightstand, but I ignore it. Whoever it is can wait.

“How about you stay here and cuddle with me instead?” I waggle my eyebrows.

Nevaeh smiles down at me and shakes her head, and fuck if her face doesn’t light up my entire world. She has less than a week until her surgery and I’m trying to share her with others, but all I want is to lock her in our room and make love to her. When I’m not monopolizing her time, she’s been spending time with Blaire and my mom, shopping and having girl time at the spa. I think they’re trying to keep her spirits high and distract her from what’s to come. Today, she’s finally meeting her dad for breakfast. I offered to go with her, but she said she’d like to talk to him alone.

“Wait…” I grab the backs of her legs and pull her into my lap. “I need one more kiss.” Our mouths unite and I get lost in the softness of her lips—of the way her tongue moves with mine. She tastes like the peppermint tea she bought the other day and has been drinking every morning. She says it helps with the headaches and dizziness.

My fingers tangle in her hair and my other hand glides up the side of her leg.

“Ethan,” she moans. “I’m going to be late.”

“But it will definitely be worth it.” I pull her back to me for a kiss.

“Goodbye,” she says against my lips.

“Hello,” I murmur, not wanting to let her go.

“Go back to sleep and when I get back I’ll make it worth the wait.” She pecks my lips and climbs off me. But before she can get away, I pull her back and give her one last kiss.

“I love you, Angel.”

“I love you more.”

I keep my eyes open long enough to watch her leave, and then I roll over and fall back asleep, looking forward to when my wife gets home so she can make good on her promise.

Nevaeh

“I’m not sure how long I’m going to be,” I tell Rosco when we pull up in front of my dad’s office. “If you want to take off, I can call you when I’m ready to go.”

He steps out of the SUV and opens my door for me, then looks around. “I’ll hang out here.” He points to the coffee shop next door. “Grab a coffee and catch up on some reading.” He pulls a rolled up magazine out from his back pocket.

“Okay, cool. Thank you again for driving me.”

“No worries,” he says with a smile. “Go on up.” He nods toward the building. “I’ll be here when you’re done.”

After waving goodbye to him, I enter the building and go to the elevator. It takes a few minutes after pressing the button for the elevator to arrive. When I get in, I hit the tenth floor and watch the numbers rise until I get to my dad’s floor.

The doors open and I walk down the hall to his office. His secretary, Glenda, greets me when I walk in.

“How are you, Nevaeh?”

“I’m good. You?”

“Busy as usual. Your dad said you can go straight back.”

“Thank you.” On my way back to his office, I pop my head into a few of his employees’ offices to say a quick hello. My dad has had this insurance agency since before I was born, and for the most part, his employees have been here just as long.