Love You Always

“Fine. Dinner,” I relent.

He smirks, thinking he’s won. Knowing that Stella will call if my dollface shows up should hold me over. I’m thinking that her turning up at the bar is a lost cause but it’s the only hope I have to hold on to at the moment.

I head toward the closet, grabbing a shirt to change into for dinner. My cell rings in my pocket. I pull it out and see it’s Kurt. Every time he calls it’s like a punch to the gut. He never has shit for me. I answer it immediately.

“Got her.”

I put my hand on the wall to brace myself, not sure that I’ve heard him right.

“You found her? Where is she?” I fire off the questions. He says the last thing I’ve ever thought he’d say.

“Right now. She’s outside of your building.”

3

Amelia

“Yo, Smith, you’re going to give us away.” Smith stands with his arms crossed over his chest in a black suit looking like someone from Men in Black. “I swear I won’t let aliens steal Mia.” She giggles from beside me. “Don’t laugh! He can wipe our memories if he wants to.” I’m nervous and making jokes is how I try to hide it.

“I know that Max is the only one allowed to probe her.” Mia’s giggles turn into full-on laughter. Smith doesn't even crack a smile but I see the amusement in his eyes. He’s somewhat used to our shenanigans.

“Smith, would you be so kind to wait a little ways down?” Mia says in her soft, sweet voice, giving him one of her smiles. He gives her an almost pleading look. I have a feeling he has to do what Mia asks but I know that Max most definitely gave him instructions to stay close.

“We’re trying to spy here, Smith. No one can kidnap us because they can’t even see us.” I motion toward our all-black outfits. I actually see now that this was a bad idea. We kind of look like we’re up to no good with black pants, boots and oversized hoodies. Everyone that walks by gives us odd looks as we try and hide behind a bench.

“Just a little that way.” Mia motions with her hand for him to move down the block.

“The man in the white SUV has been watching you since you got here.” I look around, having no idea what he’s talking about. “Two o’clock, spy girl.”

“Did you just crack a joke, Smith?” I say in mock shock. This time his lips do twitch. I look to his two o’clock but only see a red car.

“Your two o’clock.” He fights a laugh. I shrug my shoulders at him.

“Can’t you just point?” Mia looks around.

“Okay.” Smith starts to raise his hand but I jump toward him, stopping his arm from going up.

“You’ll blow our cover! You can’t just point at people!” I drop my voice to a whisper. “What do you mean someone is watching us?” I peek over to what would have been my two o’clock to see the SUV in question. The man is staring right at us.

“You’re dressed like bank robbers and standing outside of Ethan King’s building. Of course someone is watching you.”

“Wait. You know Ethan? The baby daddy?” Mia leans forward to look at Smith.

It dawns on me that I do, in fact, have a baby daddy. I never thought about having a child before, really. I’ve only ever been looking for security for myself. Now I have this baby growing inside of me that I will make sure is safe, too. I don’t want a baby daddy, I want a husband. I hope that my baby will have both parents. I didn’t have either of them growing up.

“Hush! You just told my secret.” I glare at her. I'm not really getting mad at her because I know she’s frustrated about all of this. My life is a mess but I wouldn’t change being pregnant. I want this child.

“It’s a secret?” Her eyes go round. I can see the instant guilt on her face.

“I guess not. I don’t know.” I throw my hands up. Then it hits me. If someone is watching us they will most likely tell Ethan if this is his building. “How does a bartender own a building?”

“Ethan King owns King hotels,” Smith informs us. Now it’s my turn for my eyes to go round. What the hell? That’s one of the biggest and nicest hotel chains in the world. He and I went to one that night. No wonder he was given a key to a room so quickly. I hadn’t exactly been paying attention to the minor details that night when I had Ethan to concentrate on.

“Then why would he bartend?” I shake my head. “You must have him mixed up with someone,” I try to reason with Smith.