16

Carly

One Year Later

It’s a beautiful day in Philadelphia as I walk through the park.

I’m smiling, practically whistling. I feel light as a feather.

Davis is sitting on a bench just ahead. He looks up as I approach and grins.

“Afternoon, wife,” he says.

“Afternoon, husband.” I sit down next to him and stretch my legs. “Fancy meeting you here.”

He grins and puts his arm around me, pulling me against him. We kiss briefly then watch the park as people walk past.

This is our normal afternoon ritual. We get lunch together then sit in the park for a little while, people watching, relaxing, enjoying each other’s company. I take a little stroll around the perimeter while he kept the bench locked down.

He sighs a little and checks his watch. “Avah wants me back soon.”

“I know, I saw.”

“It’s driving me crazy.”

“Don’t be so dramatic.”

“Come on, she’s been on me lately.”

I laugh and kiss him. “Get over it.”

He grumbles. “Fine, fine. But still.”

“But nothing. She’s opening a new branch. It’s a big deal.”

“I know, I know. At least I have you to keep things going in the home office.”

“Exactly. Aren’t you lucky?”

He grins at me. “Of course. I think that every day.”

I laugh and we kiss again, this time slowly, savoring the moment.

After Davis made his deal and immigration went away, we felt our whole world open up. We started slow, getting to know each other more, sleeping in the same bed, going to movies, to dinner, really just acting like a normal couple.

And after a few months, we realized it’s real. It’s not going anywhere.

So I came to work for Bison. I’m technically a product developer, but mostly I work with Davis to keep things moving smoothly.

It was a rocky start at first. People resented the boss’s wife coming in like that, but soon everyone got used to it, and now things are good.

They’re better than good. They’re great.

All that stress, all that worry. It’s all gone.

Because of him.

I know what he did for me. He didn’t want me to find out, but Avah got drunk a couple months back and spilled the beans.

He gave up billions of dollars for me. He gave up an entire market, just to keep me. It’s hard to believe that someone would do something so huge, but he did it.

And I know he’d do more. He’d sacrifice more. Because he loves me.

I trust him. I trust that he loves me, more than I ever thought I could.

It’s like the past is gone now, like it’s missing. It’s like that never happened.

I used to hate him so much, but it’s like I hated a totally different person. This Davis, this man, he’s someone new.

Someone special.

“Come on,” he says, standing up. “Let’s go back to the office.”

“Do we have to?” I ask.

He shrugs. “Not really. I am the boss, after all.”

“Maybe we could just go home. And, you know.”

He raises an eyebrow. “I know?”

“Work on that…. Thing we discussed.”

“Oh, you’re being coy.”

“Come on, stop. You know what I mean.”

He bends down and helps me to my feet. As I get up, he pulls me against him. “You mean, you want to go back to our house and fuck until I get you pregnant?”

I blush a little. “That’s it.”

“Good girl.” He kisses me softly. “Sounds good to me.”

“Come on, idiot.” I grin as I grab his hand and we start walking slowly back home.

My heart’s beating fast, like it always does at the prospect of sleeping with Davis. You’d think I’d get tired of it, but no, not even close. Every day he seems to surprise me.

“Your mom called, by the way,” he says. “She wants to visit next week.”

“Okay,” I say. “That’s fine.”

“Think we’ll have some good news for her soon?”

“I hope so.” I squeeze his hand.

My mother and I made up a few months ago. It wasn’t easy, but she came to terms with what my father did. They’re still together, but I’m not sure that’ll last long.

I haven’t spoken to my father since that night at dinner. I don’t plan on ever speaking to him again.

And I’m okay with that. Sometimes, parents are just bastards. And I don’t have time for bastards.

“You know, I love you,” Davis says to me. “You know that, right?”

“Of course.” I smile at him and glance down at the ring on my finger. “I know it.”

“Good. Once you’re pregnant… maybe we should have another wedding.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Another?”

“Sure. A real one, this time. Family, friends, the whole thing.”

I laugh lightly. “I’d love that.”

“Good.”

I kiss him and lean my head against his shoulder.

My husband, my man. He takes care of me, gives me what I need.

He makes me happier than I ever thought possible.

There’s nothing in this world I want or need. I could go back into acting if I wanted, but I’m too content with him to bother. I don’t need anything more, except for a baby.

And he’ll give me that, too. Sooner or later, he’ll give me that.

I never imagined this would be my life. I never pictured being happy with him like this. I always thought I’d hate him. I was in this for the money.

Now, I’m in this for the joy he gives me every single day.

I couldn’t ask for anything more.

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