He was so confused. “What?”
“Dinner. Your mom didn’t feed you. You’re too smart to eat at that bar. So what do you want to eat? You’re going to need your strength because when I get off my shift, we’ve got to pick up the pets, and Daisy will definitely need a walk.”
He stopped when he hit the gravel and refused to move any farther. “Roxanne, what are you saying?”
She tilted her head to look up at him, and the sweetest smile curled her lips up. “I’m saying I’m staying in Papillon and I’m not doing it because I love you. If I wanted to move back to New York, we would go. I wouldn’t leave you behind because I love you, but I’m not staying because I do. Do you understand?”
He thought he did. “You’re making this decision and it’s yours and you’re going to own it. You won’t blame me.”
“Good. You can learn. Now, what do you want for dinner?”
He wasn’t interested in dinner. He needed to make things plain. “I am madly in love with you, Roxanne King, and I had already made the decision to come after you no matter what your father said. I should never have made the decision for the both of us. If we’re in this together, then we decide everything together. And your father better understand that I’m not leaving, because no matter what he says, I’m good for you. I love you, and if you’ll forgive me, I promise I will do my best to never let you down again.”
She went up on her toes and brushed her lips against his briefly. “See that you don’t. And your mom packed some clothes for you, but she told me that she’s already got a renter interested in your apartment and she needs you out by the end of the week.”
“My momma’s kicking me out?” It appeared a lot had changed since he’d decided to go get a beer.
“I explained to her that you were moving in with me.” She winced. “Though now that we’ve agreed to make decisions together, I see I probably should have talked to you about that.”
“Nope. I’m good with that one.” She was here and she wasn’t leaving, and he was going to get every chance he needed to show her they belonged together forever. “Say it again, Rox.”
The sweetest smile curled up her lips. “I love you.”
“I love you, too, baby.” He kissed her again and really wished he had use of his hands. “Now let me out of these cuffs and we’ll grab some dinner.”
She shook her head with a smirk. “I’ve decided this is really the best way to keep you out of trouble.”
He allowed her to steer him toward her SUV. “But how can I get my hands on you if they’re cuffed behind my back?”
She opened the rear door. “Get creative, babe. I know you can do it.”
“At least let me ride in the front with you,” he said even as she was pushing him into the back.
“Can’t do that. But I will do something I don’t do for any other person I put in the back of my car.” She kissed him. “Now be a good boy and I’ll put you in the comfy cell.”
He would only be comfortable if she was in there with him, but he might be able to make that happen. “Drive fast then.”
As she pulled out of the parking lot and flashed her lights, he knew he was finally heading into his future.epilogueOne year later
“I’ve made a monster,” Roxanne said as she watched her brand-new husband arguing with the mayor about funding for the first phase of his shelter plans.
Did he have to do it at their wedding?
“I like how passionate he is,” her mother said with a happy sigh. “He’s eager for life, and that’s a beautiful thing. Your father thinks so, too.”
Her parents had come down three days before, though it hadn’t been their only meeting. Pamela had come down a couple of times to help with the wedding plans, and now she was thick as thieves with Delphine and Miss Marcelle. They were planning a girls’ trip to the city, where Pamela intended to introduce them to all the best psychics.
It was weird, but like everything in life, now it seemed perfect.
“I think Dad’s just happy to get all the weddings over with,” Roxie said as she saw her father sitting at a table with Armie and Lila and their two kids. Noelle was back home after her first semester in college, and she seemed fascinated with her tiny baby brother.
“He’s particularly happy that you’re settling down.” Her mother sipped on the champagne she’d nabbed from a passing waiter. “I know he was upset at first, but he’s had time to reflect. He won’t ever tell you this but you remind him so much of his father. Your grandpa would have loved this place.”