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“Baby, I would have never done anything to hurt you,” she mewls. “I don’t know why I didn’t tell you before we left for Italy. I just thought we could sweep it under the rug. I never wanted to remember him ever again.”
“Lacy, oh my beautiful girl,” I murmur. I run my hand over her beautiful leg. “You didn’t have to be afraid of telling me the truth.”
But Lacy’s inconsolable.
“I lied to you,” she whispers, unable to meet my eyes. “I should have told you about Charlie when we did that first session, but I don’t know what came over me. I’m sorry for not telling you right away.”
I frown for a moment.
“That was wrong,” I say smoothly. “I would have appreciated knowing but it’s no big deal, darling. Even Charlie told me that nothing’s happened between you two.”
“He did?” she raises her head, eyes wide and blinking. “He said that?”
I nod.
“Why, did you expect him to say something different?”
Slowly, Lacey nods.
“Yes. I thought that he’d make something up because back when we dated, Charlie was a different person. He used to make me feel worthless by saying things like “You need to lose weight,” or “You need to sex it up.” It was a bad time.”
My mouth immediately frowns when I hear any other man making comments about my woman’s looks, even if it was years ago. But I take a deep breath and get my bearings.
“It’s fine,” I say in a calm voice. “It was a long time ago, and I know you don’t feel anything for him now.”
“I don’t!” Lacy cries, flying into my arms now and burrowing her head against my chest. “Because I love you, Howard Bates. You’re the only man for me, and I was so afraid of losing you.”
Suddenly, I realize what a tough life Lacy has had. She’s had no real rock to depend on. Although her Aunt Margaret provides emotional support, the woman’s also somewhat ditzy, even in her old age. So Lacy’s never had anyone, and she was afraid that I was going to take off at the first sign of trouble as well.
But I’m not that man. Once you’ve been in a foxhole as a firefight rages up above, it takes more than a slovenly ex to scare me away. So I hold her tight, pressing my lips against that blonde head.
“I love you too Lacy. And I’ll never let you go, I promise.”
With those words, the blonde turns my way and smiles tremulously.
“Do you promise, Mr. Bates? Forever and ever?”
I nod solemnly.
“Absolutely sweetheart, because you’re my one and only.”
Because with that, our vows are said. The most meaningful words that we’ll ever speak take place while we’re crouched on the floor of her aunt’s apartment, and not in some fancy restaurant or ballroom. Instead, I know the value of the girl before me … because Lacy started as my maid, but now she’s the my world, my life, and my heart.
EPILOGUE
LACY
When we come back to the penthouse, I confess everything.
“I couldn’t tell you it was him because I knew you’d fire him. He just needs the money so he can start a new life as a painter and finally let me go.”
“You respect him Lacy. That’s good.”
“But I don’t want him to touch me, or love me at all.”
“I understand Lacy. Look. We’re going to pay him what we would have if he did the paintings. But he’s not going to be around anymore.”
“Oh really Howie? Thank you!”
