One to Chase - Tia Louise Page 0,82
her chin to kiss me again. I don’t hesitate to return it.
“What will we do this morning?” Her fingers cover her lips, and I drop my nose to touch hers.
“I’ve got to go to work, and I know you want to see your mother.” I kiss her nose now. “But first, I want to take you to breakfast, and then I want you to meet me for dinner tonight.”
Another little laugh, and I can’t get over how changed she is. I want to ask why, but I don’t want to do anything that might change her mind.
“Sounds like you’ve got my whole day planned out.”
I kiss her once more and take my glasses back before releasing her and sitting up. “I’ll get dressed, then I’ll drive you to the condo so you can change.”
She blinks down before looking up at me through thick lashes. She doesn’t have to say what she’s thinking. I remember everything she’s told me, and what she needs to understand is I’d never let her do a walk of shame. She’ll never be ashamed as long as we’re together.
“Come on.” I hold out my hand, and she takes it.
It feels like another giant leap in the right direction.
* * *
Amy
Marcus is all around me. He’s strong and determined. He’s comforting and kind. He’s gentle, and this morning he’s so happy, I can’t help smiling. Sometime yesterday—at the hospital or last night, when we made love—I decided without even realizing a decision was made.
He’s all I want. My heart moved to his, knit with his, and now I’m sitting here trying to figure out what comes next. I’m in uncharted waters, but the scariest part is I don’t want to run.
We drive to the condo. He’s dressed for work in slacks, a white oxford, and a light blazer. I change into a thin wrap-top romper and heels. On the way out the door, I scoop up the Tiffany’s box containing Sylvia’s ring. I plan to spend the day with her at the hospital.
“Where are we going?” He doesn’t get the car. Instead, he leads me down a few blocks west, away from the lake.
“The Market.” Pulling my hand into the bend of his arm, he covers it with his. “You’ll like it. Lots of French things.”
My nose wrinkles, and I lean my head against his shoulder. “I’m falling in love with Chicago things.” Or a Chicago person.
Lowering his arm, he clasps my hand as we arrive at the open-air shops. “Here.” He stops at the first vendor and orders breakfast crepes and coffee.
I take a bite of scrambled eggs and cheese with caramelized onions and earthy mushrooms wrapped in a thin crepe.
“Mm!” I groan. “This is delicious!”
It’s meaty and lightly salty with a velvety tang from the cheese. He grins and sips his coffee. Passing the lady cash, he picks up a tiny breakfast bagel.
“Why is mine so much bigger?” I laugh, pushing his arm as we lean against the standing bar.
“You don’t have to finish it.” He lifts a fresh strawberry from his cup of fruit and holds it near my mouth.
I lean forward to bite it, and a bit of juice covers my bottom lip. Heat flickers in his eyes, and he wipes it with his thumb before pressing his mouth to mine, sending shimmers of joy through my insides.
My voice is thick when I speak again. “We could’ve shared.”
“No.” Smokey hazel moves from my mouth to my gaze. “It’s for you. It’s my favorite.”
Pulling the wrapper down, I hold it to him. “Take a bite. Go on!”
He follows orders then playfully groans. “So good.”
“Yes. We could’ve split it.”
“But I’ve got this little guy,” he says, waving the tiny ham, egg, and cheese sandwich.
“Not enough for a growing boy.”
Leaning into my ear he whispers. “I’m fully grown.”
And I’m on fire. “Yes you are,” I whisper back.
A quick kiss and he polishes off his meal. “Come with me.”
I take my last bite and toss the rest, catching his outstretched hand. We head deeper into the market until we reach a flower stand. The scent of assorted floral arrangements fills the air. Enormous bunches of white and lavender hydrangeas overflow shiny silver buckets. He leads me past lilacs and tulips to a bin holding tissue-pink peonies. Quickly he scoops out a bouquet and steps to the register. Minutes later, they’re in my arms.
“Beautiful!” I sigh, sniffing their delicate, sweet scent.
“We can stop and grab a vase.” My hand is in his again, and we’re walking back toward