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“You do. We could run away to your place andnotsee anyone after they’ve all been dying to see you for six months. Gia especially. She’s been frantic without you. But, again, wecouldskip.”
Kay eyes me suspiciously. “When didyoubecome such a manipulator?”
“I learned from the best.” I shoot him a wink, toss him the keys, and think how much I’vemissedthis.
He was worth waiting for.
Chapter Twenty-Six: Kay
We pull up to Midnights and walk hand-in-hand to the doors. Now that I’m approaching it six months later, I didn’t realize how much I wouldmissthis place. Gia and I worked hard to make it what it was, and I would be lying if I didn’t admit I missed coming into work to build it with her.
Though, there were more obvious reasons I wanted to return to work, that being the woman walking beside me, looking more stunning than I’ve ever seen her in a snug, knee-length beige dress which compliments her skin tone in a way that makes me want to rip it off. She’s still wearing her signature heeled black boots, though. I’m glad to see not much has changed.
I feel changed in more subtle ways aside from the grown-out hair, which I’m glad to know Talia’s a fan of. It’s hard not to feel desired as she gazes up at me as if I’m the sunset, or the most beautiful sight she’ll ever behold.
I’ve changed in ways that make me feel more grown, more mature, more worthy to handle someone like Talia. I have a patience I didn’t have before, a dedication. And I’ve never felt more ready to dedicate my time to Talia and our work.
I’ve never felt more excited tolive.
As we reach the door, Talia beats me to the handle and pulls it open for me, only to be assaulted by sounds of excited greetings from all our friends.
“There’s my favorite ex-con!” Gia shouts, hands in the air as she throws her arms around my neck.
Talia steps aside, releasing my hand as I’m thrown to the wolves. Nyla squeezes the life out of me. Leo shakes my hand. Kieran comes in for another back-clapping hug.
“Happy to see you, brother,” he says, pulling away.
“Yeah. You, too.”
“I’m digging the long hair look. It suits you.” Kieran takes his place at Nyla’s side, wrapping an arm around her waist, still as happy as the day I left them.
As the excitement lulls, I realize there’s commotion coming from the back patio along with the subtle sounds of indistinct chatter.
“Did you throw a whole party for me? You really,reallydidn’t have to do that.”
Talia moves to my side again, looping her arm through mine. “Not quite, but something like that.”
She pulls me through the club and toward the patio, and as we cross through the double doors, I’m in awe.
Gia finished the patio project in less than six months. My plans had come to fruition in an even more stunning display than I’d imagined.
The patio was extended, a stained-glass roof added with latticework wooden beams beneath, interwoven with live vines. The sunlight filters in through the orange and blue colored glass in a beautiful display across the wooden floor. The path down to the beach is lined with more greenery, the place a romantic oasis for future weddings or events. I’m so impressed with Gia understanding my vision that all I can do is stare, mouth open.
“What do you think?” Gia asks. “I did a great job, didn’t I?”
Guests are gathered at high top tables, drinking cocktails from a bar at one end with a waterfall wall behind it, something I felt was non-negotiable.
“Gia… you fuckingnailed it,” I say, wishing I had better words. But that’s all that needs to be said as she beams at me.
“I stuck to your plans, even if I was unsure of them along the way. But I must admit, you’ve got vision. Leo’s jealous.”
“It’s true. I debated hiring you onto Apollo Sole to design our storefronts,” Leo tells me.
Talia squeezes my arm excitedly.
“I wouldn’t be opposed to that,” I say to Leo, who gives me a nod before heading off to the bar. I never saw interior design and architecture being what I ended up in, but knowing the offer is there gets me excited to think of ideas.
“We also have other news,” Gia interjects, sticking her hand so close to my face I think she’s about to hit me.
