As if the details of the crimes aren’t juicy enough.
I’m just happy to have my house free of trapped spirits and their crazy hijinks.
Tonight, I refuse to think about any of that. I’m moving forward with my life and this date is just the start.
I took special care getting ready for tonight, blowing out my hair and working some light curls into the mix. My makeup took some time, choosing colors that complement my green eyes. Shaky hands, a symptom of nerves, made it difficult to line my eyes with charcoal liner, but I managed. A simple shiny gloss over my lips finishes the look. Makeup isn’t something I typically care to perfect, but tonight I hope to knock Nick’s socks off.
Stepping up to the floor-length mirror I take a look at the end result and smile. Lanie helped me pick out my outfit yesterday. When she first offered her assistance, I was nervous. My style typically differs from hers, greatly, but I must admit, she nailed it.
She chose an off-white sweater that she suggested I tuck a portion of into my light skinny jeans. It’s accessorized with nude pumps and gold jewelry.
I glance down at my hand, staring at the ring I’ve worn for almost seventeen years. There will never come a day that I don’t cherish the memories associated with this token of Garrett’s love, and no part of me that believes Nick would mind if I kept it on my finger.
A tapping noise sounds on my window, but I ignore it, snapping a picture and sending it off to my friends and Ava for validation that I look as good as I feel.
The sound continues and I grow curious. Making my way to the window, I peek around the curtain to find a small cardinal tapping its beak against the glass. I recall Garrett’s mom’s insistence that cardinals are a sign of your loved ones who’ve died being present. I bend down, eye level with the bird, who’s perched on the small ledge. It doesn’t fly away, and I have to wonder if there’s some truth in the myth.
“Hi, Garrett,” I whisper, holding on to the hope that maybe this little guy is the spirit of my late husband, coming to give his blessing.
He taps his beak against the window once more before flying off into the night. A sense of peace washes over me and I close my eyes to bask in it.
I find myself slipping off my wedding ring and placing it on the opposite hand. I’m not sure what possesses me to do it other than a deep knowing I’ve learned to trust.
I doubt a day will come when it’s permanently removed, because my love for Garrett I’ll carry until my last breath. Nick or whomever else I decide to give my heart to in the future will have to understand that for us to work.
My phone pings, and I look down to see a text from Lanie.
LANIE
Holy Hotness! I did good...
ALYSSA
I think so! Thanks for your help!
LANIE
Have fun tonight! Wear protection.
I gasp at the audacity of my friend. Not that I’m surprised. The girl wouldn’t consider it a date if it didn’t end with sex.
The thought of being with Nick makes my stomach flutter and tingles spread across my body.
I’ve never been so nervous in my life. Well... maybe one night, under the stars with a man who changed my life. But I know this will be different. Not better or worse, just... different.
Nick and Garrett are two entirely different men.
Nick is gruff and alpha, things I never thought I’d want, but it turns out, it’s exactly what I need. The way he stares at me turns my belly to molten lava and my legs to mush.
I don’t usually rush into things, but a man like Nick West has been hard to resist. Tonight, I might not. To hell with waiting. Life’s too short and I want to be wrapped around Nick until the sun rises.
Hopefully he won’t take much convincing.
I grab my long, camel coat and head downstairs just in time to hear a knock on my door.
My entire body burns, knowing who’s on the other side.
Here goes nothing.
