I glance down at the rectangular jewelry box in my hands. I was supposed to pick this up from Whispers of Grace, a jewelry store in SoHo, the morning of Athena’s birthday but I was on my way to the operating room.
I got Sebastian to swing by there yesterday to grab it for me.
Tilly stopped by with a small chocolate cake earlier.
I’m all set for the small belated birthday celebration for the woman I love.
I turn from where I’m sitting on the couch when I hear her key in the lock.
She hasn’t officially moved in yet, but she brought some of her clothing here and there are three flower bouquets brightening the space.
The door swings open with a kick of her boot against it.
I heave up to my feet to rush over to help her with the paper grocery bags in her arms and the bouquet of white roses she’s balancing in one hand.
“Lilac.” I plant a kiss on her forehead. “What the fuck is all this?”
“I’m cooking.” She laughs. “One of the cardiac nurses pointed me to a website filled with heart healthy recipes.”
We’ve been eating our way through the food my mom has prepared and dropped off since I was released from the hospital.
I peer inside the bags and mostly see green.
“There’s some protein in here, right?” I scoop up both bags.
“Salmon.” She kicks off one boot and then the other. “We’ll have a kale salad with it and then a fruit tart for dessert.”
“Chocolate cake for dessert.”
“Yeah, no.” She shakes her head as she takes off toward the kitchen. “There’s too much sugar in cake.”
I fall in step behind her. It’s impossible not to stare at her ass in the faded jeans she’s wearing or at her shoulder. It’s peeking out from beneath the pink sweater that’s sliding down her arm.
“It’s your birthday cake.”
She turns to face me. “What?”
I point at the coffee table and the cake. “It’s over there.”
“You went out?” Her voice trembles. “I thought we agreed that I’d go with you if you want to step out.”
She’s been hovering and I fucking love it. I know she’s worried but I’m getting stronger by the day.
We’re not that far out from the day I can take her to bed and ravish her.
I’m counting the goddamn hours until that happens.
Her eyes skim my face.
I took the step to rid myself of the beard and long hair the night I met Gareth. I’ve always known that the face under the beard didn’t look like my parents or siblings.
I walked into the barbershop across the street from Wild Lilac and requested a shave and a haircut. By the time I stepped out of the chair, I felt like a new man.
The face I see in the mirror finally is familiar to me.
“Tilly brought the cake.” I sigh. “Sebastian picked up your gift.”
“There’s a gift?” Her gaze drifts back to the table. “You didn’t have to get me a gift, Liam. The surgery was the gift.”