“Simon! I have good news!” Marlen calls out as I get nearby.
He’s standing out by the barbecue.
“Why are we barbecuing in winter?” I muse.
“Because I felt like it. And don’t be such a little bitch. It’s not that cold. You have a hoodie on and everything,” he teases me.
I lift my beer and laugh. “Fair enough. Tell me that good news,” I say.
“I had another meeting with David Marcas today. Our trial business deal went well. Like it went fucking well. He’s very happy. And now we are shifting the conversation toward a possible alliance. Something permanent and strong. He ismeeting with the other heads of his family on Monday and will get back to me once that’s done, but all in all, it’s looking good. Everything is looking great, actually.” Marlen sounds happy. He sounds excited even.
I smile, relieved that things really are coming together in the most perfect way. I didn’t expect my plans against Jaco to end in an alliance with his family. It literally could not have had a better outcome.
My eyes drift to the grill.
“Everything looks great except for that steak! What are you doing to it, man?” I blurt out in horror.
He scoffs, but I grab the tongs from him and lift the steak off the heat.
“It’s charred black on one side and totally raw on the other,” I tease him, waving it in front of his face.
“Hey man, I got …uh…distracted… by someone,” he grins, stealing a glance at his wife.
“Don’t blame me because you can’t cook,” she calls out, overhearing our conversation.
I laugh at the look on his face as he sheepishly turns to me and shrugs.
“You’d better go grab some fresh steaks, man. Give these to the dogs,” I laugh, shaking my head.
“It’s not my fault, seriously. She’s… she’sdangerous,” he says defensively.
My eyes drift over to my wife, watching Blair, caught in her stare again, and I know exactly what he means.
“Don’t worry, man. I get it,” I laugh. “You don’t have to explain the crazy things love does to a man.”
Marlen returns with fresh steaks, and we resume making dinner. Beers go down easily. Laughter is free and loud. My heart is happy and filled with love.
We all sit outside in his garden as the sun sets, and we eat and talk and share stories to make each other laugh. Even after the food is finished, we stay there, enjoying the sky and the company.
Blair sits close by my side with her hand on my leg and her head on my shoulder.
My life is so complete with her in it.
I wrap my arm tighter around her shoulder and whisper in her ear, “Are you warm enough, my love?”
“I am about to get my hoodie,” she replies. “Thank you for bringing it for me,” she adds.
“Actually, I brought you something better,” I grin. Her eyes narrow. “Something better than my hoodie?” she asks, confused.
Jumping up, I tell her to wait while I jog inside.
When I come out and hand her one ofmyhoodies, she packs up laughing.
“This really is better,” she says happily, pulling the oversized piece of clothing over her head with my help.
“Hey, does your girl also steal your hoodies?” Bardil calls out. “They really are tricky little pixies, aren’t they?” he teases, looking at Nikita.
I grin at Blair. “See, you aren’t the only one,” I laugh.
