half-block, so that I can pass the crawling taxi.
I make it just as the car pulls up to the curb.
The driver doesn’t move, so I take a step forward and reach for the door handle. I swing it open.
Holy shit.
Fucking hell.
My thoughts alone should indebt me to the swearing fund by at least a few thousand dollars.
Goddammit, Maren Weber is beautiful. It’s not just the dress, and her hair and makeup. Hell, all of that pales in comparison to her smile and that light that shines around her.
Is this what goodness looks like? Is this my heaven on earth?
“Keats,” she says my name softly. “You’re here.”
I reach out a hand to help her exit the taxi. She does it carefully, keeping hold of the hem of the dress.
Once she’s beside me, I reach for my wallet.
Her hand lands on mine again. “It’s taken care of.”
We stay in place like that, with our hands touching until the driver clears his throat. “I’m hoping to get another fare tonight, folks.”
“Sorry,” I mutter as I bow down to wave at him. “Have a good night, sir.”
“You too, bud.” He smiles.
Slamming the door, I suck in a deep breath. I can do this. I need to do this. I want Fletcher on my roster, so tonight it’s all about showing his parents that I’m the only man for the job.
I look at Maren. “Are you ready?”
Her eyes rake me from head-to-toe. “I’m as ready as I’ll ever be, boss.”
I point at the steps that lead up to the building before I offer her my arm. “I’m honored to be your date tonight, Maren.”
She curls her hand around my bicep. “Let’s get you a new client.”
“Us,” I remind her as we climb the stairs. “Let’s get us a new client.”
Us.
I could get used to the sound of that word.
Chapter 33
Maren
My breath catches as I survey the venue for the Newmans’ anniversary party. The lights of Manhattan pale in comparison to the strings of white lights that hang from the wooden beams above the terrace.
Fragrant red and white flowers border the edge of the space, and a large three-tiered cake sits on a round table surrounded by framed pictures.
I take a step toward them, pulling Keats with me. I’m still holding tightly to his arm.
He reassured me as we rode the elevator up to the terrace that everything would be fine.
I’m starting to believe him.
Skimming my gaze over the pictures, I smile at what I see. There are two pictures of the Newmans at their wedding twenty-five-years ago. They’re smiling brightly at the camera as they cut a cake similar to the one on the table. The other picture is of the two of them dancing.
Several photographs of Fletcher are there as well.
I sigh when I notice that he’s dressed in a baseball uniform in every picture. In one, he’s missing his two front teeth as he holds a small baseball bat at the ready. In another, braces cover all of his teeth. He’s taller in that one. I’d guess he’s ten or eleven years old. The last photo of him must have been taken recently. There’s a determined look on his face as he stands with his hands on his hip, dressed in a baseball uniform with a cap slightly askew on his head.
Keats calls out when he sees Fletcher approaching us. “Hey, Fletcher. How are you?”
“Keats.” He lifts a hand in greeting. “It’s good to see you. Maren, you too. I can’t thank you enough for this getup.”
“You look fantastic.” I round Keats to go to Fletcher. “They did a great job with the fit.”
“Woah.” Keats steps in place next to me. ‘Tell me what I’m missing.”
I give the floor to Fletcher because I can see he wants to say something.
“A couple of days ago, I was looking for you at your office.” His gaze drops to the polished black shoes on his feet. “I thought it would be good to rent a tux for tonight. Maren took care of all of it. She even paid for it.”
Keats looks at me. “She’s amazing.”
I can’t hold back a smile. “I knew a guy who knew a guy.”
Both men laugh.
Fletcher points his finger to the left. “My folks are here. It’s time for a beer.”
I glance at the bar. “Keats, you should join him.”
Keats nods at me knowingly. “I’ll bring you back a glass of wine.”
“I’d like that.” I turn back to Fletcher. “Enjoy that beer, Fletcher.”
“You know I will.” He chuckles. “I’ll savor every last