As for why I’m here, you should understand it’s not for you. I’m here because I want to make this place my home. I don’t want the job in New York, and I’ve informed Armie that I will be staying for the foreseeable future. Now, I came out to this bar because I heard there was trouble. I know this is technically not parish land, but I can still handle my business.”
He needed to make her understand. “Roxie, baby, I made a mistake.”
A brow rose over her eyes. “I would say you did. You’re parked in a fire zone.”
“We have a fire zone?” Cain asked. “I didn’t think we had any of those. Our parking lot is made of gravel and there are no actual spots. People just kind of park.”
Roxie shook her head. “His truck is blocking what would obviously be used as a fire escape should the building catch on fire. So I’m going to have to take him in. Mr. Guidry, put your hands behind your back. You know the routine.”
He was being arrested? He stared at her, bewildered, as she touched his arm, turning him around gently. “Baby, just look at your phone.”
“I don’t look at my phone while I’m on duty,” she replied, and he felt the cold cuffs snap around his wrists. “Cain, I’m taking him down to the station. He’ll come by in the morning and get his truck.”
“But what if we have a fire?” Cain yelled the question over the thump of the music.
“Don’t,” she called back as she guided him toward the door.
What the hell was happening? “I made a mistake. Can’t we please talk about this?”
She pressed him through the door and out into the parking lot, where his truck was parked in a perfectly respectable place. “I’ve decided you’re a dumbass. But you’re my dumbass, and if this is the only way I can keep you safe from your own dumbassery, then this is how it’s going to be. What do you want for dinner? I’ll call it in on our way.”
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.”