Plus, we’ve put the issue of Simon Marzakian to rest. The Feds had been looking for him for months for some parole infraction, and the entire time, he was living out in the open right under their noses. But after my escape, Simon was locked up for good, and last I heard, that idiot is being visited three times a night by the kinds of inmates who enjoy the company of a handsome man.
But back to the good stuff. We’re hosting a dinner party at the apartment tonight, blessed that we are. My cousin Paul is here and Marley invited her friends Rose and Lucy to come by, in addition to their husbands Damon and Shane. The kids play in the other room, the older ones supervising the younger children. Lucy’s little boy took an instant liking to Missy and is lying on the floor playing peek-a-boo with her. Our daughter laughs and giggles, delighted on all fronts.
As my girlfriend pours the wine, she winks at my cousin.
“Paul, you should let me set you up on a blind date,” she says in a teasing tone. “I think you’d be pleasantly surprised.” His response is immediate.
“No, absolutely not.” Everyone laughs at his categorical rejection. “I don’t do blind dates. I just know it won’t turn out well.”
But Rose jumps in then.
“Come on, I know just the girl. I worked with her at City Girls. You’ll love the woman I have in mind because she’s so sassy. It’ll be fun.”
Lucy perks up in her seat.
“Oh, is it Nella?” she chimes in. “I love that girl!”
“Oh my god, yes! Why didn’t I think of Nella?” Marley giggles. “She and Paul will get along like a house on fire if they don’t burn down the building first.”
Everyone at the table laughs easily because all three of our girls used to work as escorts. We’re good with it though, me especially since City Girls helped me when I was in a bind.
“Say yes,” directs Marley. “You can’t say no.”
Paul holds up his finds, totally beat.
“Okay, okay,” he agrees with a smile. “But if she has two heads, then I’m not buying her a drink!”
Lucy smiles wickedly.
“Oh she’s got something even better than two heads…”
Everyone dissolves into laughter then, and soon the party ends with lots of good cheer, good spirits, and all-around camaraderie.
After our guests have left, Marley and I put Missy to bed. Our little girl is so sleepy that she passes out instantly, and finally, I have my curvy woman to myself. But even though it’s been a long day, I have one more surprise up my sleeve. As she does the dishes, I drop to one knee at Marley’s side.
“What are you doing?” she asks, giggling. “The floor must be so cold!”
But I won’t be dissuaded. Instead, I smile naughtily and reaching into my pocket, I pull out a small velvet box before popping it open to reveal a stunning diamond ring.
“Oh my gosh,” Marley gasps, her hands still buried in soap suds. Slowly, a tear has began to make its way down her pretty cheek.
“Marley,” I start, my own voice choked. I blink back tears. “You have made me so happy. You literally saved me from the clutches of an evil man, and rescued me from a golden cage. All that, in addition to giving me a daughter and making me the luckiest man on earth. Marley, sweetheart, what would I do without you? Will you marry me?”
“Eeee!!!” she squeals.
I laugh throatily.
“Is that a yes, babe?”
“Yes! Yes! Of course I will marry you Justin!” With that, I get up and slide the ring on her finger before pulling her into a long, lingering kiss.
“Thank you, sweetheart. You’ve just made my dreams come true,” I growl, pressing more kisses down her swan-like neck. Marley stretches luxuriously but then turns to face me, drying her hands on a small hand towel.
“By the way, I have a surprise for you too,” she says.
“What is it?” I growl. “What could top getting married?”
A naughty look comes into her eye.
“Well, when we found out that Simon Marzakian was going back to jail, we made love immediately to celebrate. Remember, Justin? How you had me on my hands and knees within a second, and how you kept coming in me for almost twenty-four hours?”