AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“We’re still in this together, right?”
Feeling overwhelmed with gratitude, relief, and so much love for this woman, I nod and take her lips with mine. I pull her close and kiss her, knowing we’re not alone but still needing her close to me. We make out in the back seat of the FBI’s ride the entire way back to the condo complex. Slow but deep kisses, treasuring the woman I almost lost today. Tonight, I’ll show her how much I appreciate her when I worship her body. For now, I’ll take care of her by getting her home, fed, and rested.
We pull up to the complex, and once we walk through the door leading to the pool area, we’re greeted with roaring cheers from all our friends.
Fitzy comes up to us with open arms as everyone around us yells, congratulations. She hugs us and when she pulls back, pats me on the cheek.
“You did it, honey.”
I shake my head confused.
“I didn’t do anything. Blair saved herself, and I didn’t even stay behind to hear the verdict if the guy was convicted or not. His fancy lawyer has him pleading innocent. There has to be a reason for that.” I know I sound discouraged, and it’s not that I’m not grateful Blair is ok, and the guy is at least on trial, but part of me is terrified he’ll be freed.
“So, you didn’t hear. Joseph Moretti was sentenced to life in prison with no option for bail. New evidence surfaced from crimes in California,” Fitzy says with pride in her eyes.
“And that redhead from hell is sitting in a cell with frozen assets. Needless to say, she won’t be making bail,” Alayna chirps, coming in to hug Blair.
It seems like the entire community of Fitzpatrick Place has come to congratulate us. It’s a relief to hear the Moretti’s are facing real-time behind bars, and for the first time, I let hope sneak into my heart. Maybe I’ll get to live that best life ever Blair was talking about. I’ll be a lucky man to live it with her.
Our neighbors break off into groups, drinking, laughing, and celebrating our freedom. Fitzy hands Blair a cocktail. She looks over to me with the look. You know the one. The ‘Honey, I’m ready to go’ look. I make a mental note to never forget this moment and take the drink from her. I drink it down quickly, enjoying the burn of the gin.
“Thank you, Fitz, but I think we’re going to head home. It’s been a long day.”
“Oh, of course. I’ll send everyone home,” she says, clapping her hands, but Blair takes the old lady’s small hands in hers, effectively stopping her.
“No, let them stay. It’s worth celebrating.” When she looks over at me, my heart clenches. The world seems to start spinning again, and I have never been happier. The weight of my fear and guilt finally lifts.
I take her hand in mine, and we head to her place.
“Time for comfy clothes and food?” I ask once we’re inside.
“Yes, please, and a movie?” she asks as we climb the stairs up to her room. I’ve got a few things here, and if I’m lucky, they might actually be clean.
“Lebowski?” I joke, but she nods with a smile.
“Sounds perfect.”
“Do I have that pair of sweats over here still?”
“Yep. Fresh out of the dryer yesterday,” she says with a light laugh and hands them to me along with a white t-shirt. She takes a quick shower and changes into my favorite Christmas pajamas, and I grab the takeout menus and meet her on the couch. We decide on where to order dinner and turn on the movie, ready to relax when there’s a knock on the door.
“That can’t be our food already?” She says, looking at me nervously.
“I’ll go see.”
I get up and make my way to the door, and when I open it I’m relieved to see it’s Lumi, one of Blair’s good friends that lives in the complex. Every day I’m surprised at what a great community Fitzpatrick Place is, full of genuinely caring people always happy to help one another.
“Hey guys, sorry I missed the big party but I wanted to swing by and give you my congrats,” Lumi says, walkingpast me. Honestly, I’m surprised she knocked at all.
“Thank you, Lumi. Did you get off work early?” Blair says, as Lumi takes my seat on the couch next to her.
“Yeah, no work but I had some things I needed to do,” she says looking down at her hands. Lumi is not a girl with secrets from her friends but it’s clear there’s something she’s not sharing. Blair gives me a look that conveys her same suspicion.
“Why don’t I go take a shower and let you ladies catch up.”
“Oh no, you don’t have to do that. It’s nothing, really,” Lumi says, but Blair winks.
“Thank you, babe.”
