She heard a snort of laughter from behind her. She had to fight hard to hold back her grin.
The Fox strikes again.
“Go away, Greg. You’re not getting anything from me. You still have a job, right?” A job he was well-paid for.
“Yes, but I’ve got an image to keep up. I’ve got a trip to the Bahamas I can’t even pay for. I’ll lose the deposit.”
“Our heart bleeds for you man, now beat it,” Duke rumbled.
Greg stared at them all. “I’ll take you back, Sunny.”
“What?” She gaped at him in disbelief.
“I’ll take you back. Move back in. We can be together. You can ditch this loser.”
She burst into laughter. She laughed until she was out of breath and had to lean against Duke to steady herself.
“You’ll have me back? Have me back?”
“Well, yes. You’d have to get rid of those clothes and your hair needs work and we’d have to move to get away from these unsavory characters.”
She linked her arm through Duke’s and turned him away.
“Wait. . .so. . .is that no?”
“Greg, I wouldn’t take you back if you were the last man on Earth. Duke is my dream man and I thank God every day that I met him. And that I no longer have to put up with you. Goodbye, you douche.”
Duke grinned down at her.
They left him standing there as they made their way back home.
“Razor,” Duke called out, loud enough for Greg to hear. “Call the cops if he’s not gone in the next three minutes. Don’t want him bringing down property prices since we’re selling Sunny’s place and she’s moving in here.”
Several hours later, she wandered into her playroom and pulled out first edition, Alice in Wonderland book. She opened it up and stared at the card inside. She thought about calling him to say thank you. But she figured she didn’t need to. He’d know how she felt.
She carefully put the book back and left to go find Duke. He was in the kitchen, putting away the left-over food. When she walked in, he drew her close to him.
“I’ve changed my mind; I’m going to let the Fox live. So long as he doesn’t make any unwanted appearances in your life.”
“I’m pretty sure you’re safe there.”
He lifted her onto the counter before cupping her face with his hands. “I know I’m being painfully overprotective at the moment. I want to tell you that I’ll ease up, but I don’t know when that will happen.”
“I understand. But just so you know, I’m going nowhere.” She placed her hands over his. “I’m right where I want to be. For the rest of my long, awesome life.”
“Fuck. Yes.”
Epilogue
“Come on, Daddy, let’s go for a ride!”
Sunny bounced around Duke as he wiped his rag over his motorcycle. They were in his small garage with the door open.
“Weather ain’t looking good today, baby girl.”
“But it’s not raining right now,” she wheedled. “And you promised.” She widened her eyes pleadingly, clasping her hands together and bringing them up to her chest.
Classic cute begging face.