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When Daniel and Angel disappeared down the corridor toward what I assume is her studio, I lost track of time. I answered a few emails from potential sponsors before I finally opened the email from Daniel and downloaded the speech.
Pushing to stand, I tuck my phone back in my purse.
Since a few of the tears ran down my cheeks, I want to fix my makeup. I doubt that Daniel will care what I look like, but unfortunately, I’m a recognizable face in our social media ready world, so I need to tidy myself up before we leave this place.
I look into my clutch purse but don’t spot the small mirror I almost always have with me. I must have left it back in my hotel room on the bathroom counter. I was in a rush when I headed down to the casino to touch base with Bella before my ill-fated meeting with Carl.
Even though Daniel told me he didn’t want me to sneak a peek at his tattoo before the grand reveal, I make my way to the corridor, thinking that I can bypass the room he’s in, and head straight for the washroom.
I slow as I near an open doorway because the sound that greets me takes my breath away.
“My boy, listen carefully to me,” says a voice that I haven’t heard in years.
Tears form again, but I can’t stop the flow this time.
The deep but frail voice filters out of the doorway toward where I’m leaning against the wall of the corridor. “Make enough money when you’re young, so you don’t have to work forever. Learn how to swim for once and for all. You kept quitting the lessons when you were a kid, and my son is not a quitter. Sell the bar to someone who will give it the love it needs, get a goddamn tattoo, and for the last time, Daniel, marry Gina Calvetti. I’ve seen the way you look at her. Grab hold of her before she slips away. Don’t waste another day because you never know when it will be your last one.”
Shaking, I press my hand against my chest in a failed effort to slow my racing heart.
“I wish all of these things for you, Daniel,” Marlin continues. “I wish I were going to be around to witness it all, but most of all, I would have given anything to see you marry Gina. You belong together. A father knows these things. I love you, my son. Never forget.”
I hold back a sob as I hear Daniel’s voice. “I saved that voicemail because it was the last one he ever left me. He died four days later from pancreatic cancer.”
“It’s beautiful,” Angel whispers with a tremor in her voice. “I get why you wanted the tattoo, Daniel. What a wonderful way to honor him.”
“I’ve never played that for anyone before,” he confesses.
“Really?” Angel doesn’t try to mask the surprise in her tone. “Not even Gina? I don’t understand. You don’t want her to know that your dad gave his blessing for the two of you?”
A deep chuckle fills the air. “Gina can’t ever know about any of this.”
I take two steps forward until I’m standing in the middle of the doorway of Angel’s studio. Her eyes meet mine before Daniel glances in my direction.
“I heard every word,” I say. “I heard all of your dad’s wishes.”
Since Daniel isn’t saying anything, I walk toward him, never taking my eyes off his face even though he’s shirtless.
“What does your tattoo say?” I whisper as I catch sight of the block letters on his arm.
“Memento Mori,” he says.
“Remember you must die,” I translate the Latin term, even though Daniel knows exactly what it means since Marlin often said it to anyone who would listen. He never let me leave his bar without telling me to make the most of every day since life doesn’t last forever.
“Gina.” He pauses to take a breath. “My dad was on his last days when he left me that voicemail. He did it in the middle of the night when I was fast asleep. I think it was a gift of sorts, so I’d always have his voice to remember him by.”
I nod. “And his wishes to fulfill.”
Angel’s gaze volleys between us. “You two are married, right?”
“No,” we say in unison.
“Do you want to get married?”
Neither of us says a word.
“My wife, Destiny, owns a chapel not that far from here.” She moves to stand, yanking off the gloves that are covering her hands. “If you’re game to make another of Marlin’s wishes come true tonight, I’m available to witness the nuptials.”
“Angel and…” I begin.
