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"I wasn't prepared for you, for what I felt. My entire life and career all I've known is not to get stuck in the endless cycle of broken relationships I see day in and day out. I thought I was smart and honest and real by denying them. But I was stupid and scared instead. I love you. I love you with everything I've got, and I'm not going away. This time, I'm going to fight for you, beg for your forgiveness, prove my worth. I'm not going anywhere ever again, until one day you can look into my face and trust me completely. Know that I'm not running and that I want to spend the rest of my life with you."
The words were too much, and hope shimmered in the distance like a mirage. "What changed your mind now? Why? Are we going to have sex, and then in the morning you decide again you need to protect me and yourself? How can I trust you?"
He tightened his jaw. "Because I'll prove it. Starting tonight. I got you a present."
She covered her eyes with her hands and let out a humorless laugh. "I don't think flowers and candy can fix this, Slade."
"I know. But maybe this can show what I see for us. Robert?"
Robert barked twice and turned. Dragging his legs, she watched him run into the living room and scramble up a ramp, plopping his body on a full recliner. Her mouth dropped open as she gazed at the object. Lower to the ground, the ramp led up to plush cushions that reclined back and supported his rear legs. The bunny lay beside him in tattered remains, his face filled with doggy joy.
"It's a specialized recliner just for him," Slade explained. "It's orthopedic, and has a heat control and his own remote. And this one's yours." He pointed to the brand-new leather chair beside Robert's. Dark chocolate, soft to the touch, Kate stroked her hand over the backrest while her heart thundered. "Fully equipped with all the buttons you need."
"You bought me a recliner." Kate stared at the chair, a symbol of something bigger and deeper than any ring could ever promise. Afraid to break the spell, she noticed the second chair edged up close to the first. "There's another one."
"That's mine." Her head rotated. Jungle-green eyes filled with love and determination gazed back into hers. "Because I'm not going anywhere ever again, Kate. I want to sit next to you and watch movies with Robert. I want to sink between your thighs every day, make you coffee every morning, and cuddle up with you every night, under that ratty afghan with a stocked DVR. I want a life with you, a real life, with the day-to-day shit and a partner to share it all with. I love you, Kate Seymour. I think I loved you the moment you electrocuted me and told me to go away. The only question left is, will you give me a chance?"
Joy broke through and flooded the doubts. She looked at the matching recliners, at Robert's happy face, and knew she was ready to take her own chance.
"Yes. I love you, Slade. I'm not letting you go again."
He pulled her in tight and kissed her. Hungry, deep thrusts claimed her as his. The familiar fire hit and heated their blood, softened their muscles, and they melted into one another, surrendering as soul mates.
"No more trying to match me with other women?" he murmured, kissing her cheeks and burying his fingers in her hair.
"You finally met your match, counselor."
"That I did. Now let's seal the deal."
Kate laughed as he scooped her up and walked to the bedroom.
"YOU LOOK WAY TOO happy. In fact, it's a bit sappy, even for you. And what's up with all the recliners? I feel like I dropped into a man cave."
Kate grinned, stretched out, and turned her head to the left. "You're just jealous David got you a ring and no household furniture. Pop a squat and see why it's worth everything."
"Fine. But my ring is damn gorgeous and--holy hell, this thing should be illegal. Can I adjust the heat?" Kate laughed and tossed her the remote. Gen sighed and stretched luxuriously. "Slade won't get upset I'm in his chair, right?"
Kate snorted. "His hours have been insane since partnership, but I think he's beginning to get a handle on it. He's working a difficult case with a single father and putting in extra hours to make it up to the firm."
"Why?"
Kate beamed. "Because he's not charging him. And I learned not to piss my man off in court. He's a shark and a bear rolled into one."
"I can't believe he gave up his Tribeca apartment. I thought he hated Verily."
Kate snorted. "Are you kidding? I wanted to keep two residences for a while and see how it worked out, but the man never wanted to leave. He knows everyone in town. Gets his fresh bagels from Martha at the bakery, brings his laptop to the cafe and hangs with Jim, and opened up an account with Hector at the bookstore. Verily worked its magic, so we decided to keep this place until we get something a little bigger."
"I'm so happy for you, Kate." Gen blinked furiously. "You deserve this."
"Please, no tears. We'll never get through two weddings. Dual maids of honor, right? You first, of course. I'd never steal your August date."
"David was stuck on August, but I couldn't care less." A shadow crossed over her face and she eased her way out of the chair. "Back to the hospital. Can I borrow that book on stuttering? One of my patients is having trouble and it would be good to get some solid information and tips. Hard to build a good relationship when she's always nervous about opening her mouth."
"Sure. Over there on the shelf."
Gen walked over, scanned the titles, and plucked it from the shelf. "Got it. Hey, what's this?" She pulled out a small purple book and studied it with curiosity. "A book of love spells? You holding out on me, Kate?"
Kate slid off her chair and crossed the room. "I forgot about that. I got it at the secondhand store, thinking maybe it would be fun for
one of my clients."
Gen stroked her hand over the violet fabric. "You didn't do the spell, did you?"
Kate winced. "No. Yes. Well, after Slade and I split for the first time, or second, I can't remember, I was lonely and thought, what the hell?"
Gen shook her head. "You are too cool. You own a magical gift and have the guts to create a spell. Guess it worked, huh?"
Kate paused. How odd. Of course, it was a complete coincidence that the casting of the spell led to love and an engagement. Right?
The list.
"Wait a minute, let me check something." She raced to her bedroom, stuck her hand under the mattress, and pulled out the crinkled paper. Unfolding it, she read through the qualities she requested in a soul mate.
1. A sense of humor
2. Intelligence
3. Loyalty
4. Trustworthiness
5. Protective of family
6. Character
7. Fights for what he believes in
8. Loves dogs (Robert)
9. Loves TV and movies (comedies)
10. A man I experience the touch with
11. Great lover
12. A man willing to believe in love
Kate gasped. The list encompassed all the qualities her future husband exhibited. She shoved the paper back under the mattress and walked back to Gen.
"What's the matter? You look like you've seen a ghost."
"Think I did. Let's just say I think the spell worked, which is impossible because I don't believe in Earth Mother or burning lists in fires or coincidence."
Gen stared, then looked down at the book. "Can I have it?"
Kate laughed. "You already found Mr. Right."
"I know. But maybe Izzy would get a kick out of it. She's been so difficult to talk to lately, I thought we'd get a laugh. Maybe talk about the old days. Boys usually help the bonding experience."
Kate hurt for her friend, who missed her twin deeply. "Of course, take it."
"Thanks."
A strange premonition misted her vision as Gen's fingers closed around the book. Almost as if she sensed something big was going to happen, and the path would not be easy. A shiver worked down her spine. Gen was happily ignorant of her worry, patting Robert's head and drifting out the door with a hearty good-bye.
Kate prayed David would give Gen everything beautiful. Her friend deserved a lifetime of happiness.
