I only stared back. “Julie.” Suddenly I realized I hadn’t seen Jake or Janet. “Are the kids in the hotel room?”

Her look turned almost smug. “Oh, no. I sent them home. They’re staying with Mike’s grandmother until I find out what’s going on with Mike. I didn’t want them here for this.”

I almost commended her parenting skills. I wouldn’t want my children here for this crap, either.

Then she stepped closer and ruined the perception. “I’ll probably let them fly back out for the trial and let them say goodbye before he gets sent to prison, but I still haven’t decided for sure.”

I rolled my eyes. “You watch too much TV. There isn’t going to be a trial and he’s not going to go to prison,” I snapped, annoyed.

She shrugged. “That’s too bad. Makes for a better Lifetime movie that way.”

I was too fucking tired to deal with her and her shit. “What in the hell are you talking about?”

The bitch smirked. Actually smirked. “Oh, you haven’t heard? I’ve gotten all kinds of offers. People want to know the story of the handsome bodyguard who had an affair with the country star, breaking his wife’s heart and leaving his children in the process. If he goes to jail, it’s more marketable.”

In that moment, I hated her. I wanted to hit her, but deep down, I knew it wouldn’t do any good. In fact, it would only hurt Mike’s chances of getting his kids. “I’ll remember that when I testify at your custody hearing.”

She only laughed, as if that was the funniest thing she’d ever heard. “Oh, honey, there won’t be a custody hearing. Mike shot someone who might die. He shot you. No judge in their right mind will give my kids to him. Either way, I win.”

“Is that all this is? A competition between you and Mike?” Someone came out of the bathroom, but I couldn’t pull my eyes away from the trainwreck in front of me.

“Me and Mike? Jesus, no. He had his chance to come back to me. If he realizes tomorrow that he made the wrong choice, I’d welcome him with open arms. No, this is a competition between me and women like you and women like her.” She pointed in Lia’s direction. “You think you can take something that isn’t yours and live happily ever after. I enjoy showing you how wrong you are.”

I scoffed. “You mean women like you? Ones who want the world to think they’re perfect but are never happy with what they have. Women who actually seek out and sleep with married men, destroying marriages in the process. ‘Cause women like Lia and me don’t chase men who don’t want us. We don’t pretend to be something we aren’t. We simply are who we are. And somehow, we manage to end up with amazing men. We don’t take anything that isn’t ours, Julie. Men just started seeing through women like you.”

Julie glowered at me. She opened her mouth, then closed it, gave me the stink eye, and spun, stomping out of the room. I watched her go, shaking my head. The woman was delusional.

“I’m impressed.”

I jerked in surprise, and Noah reached out to steady me.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you. Should have thought about how jumpy you’d be.”

I shook my head, smiling up at him. “It’s all good.” Embarrassed he’d witnessed my interaction with the ex-wife from hell, I asked, “How much of that did you hear?”

“Enough to know you must really love him.”

I tipped my head, looking up at him. “I’ll bite. How did you come to that conclusion?”

He chuckled. “Mols, you could have wiped the floor with her if you’d wanted to. She’s full of shit, by the way. There is no potential movie deal. Nobody even knows who the fuck she is. Carson’s not gonna go to prison. She was tr                            ying to get you to react so she could use it against you. You held it together and even managed to put her in her place. I’m impressed. Mike would be, too.” He offered me a hand. “Come on, kid. You look like shit. Let’s get you to bed.”

*****

I was dreaming of Mike again. He was the only thing that haunted my dreams, had been for weeks. This time, though, I heard him calling my name.

I jerked awake, almost regrettably, and knew something was different. The covers moved slightly, the bed shifted, and a large hand settled over my waist, pulling me into a warm, hard chest.

“You’re back!” I muttered into the darkness, silently praying it wasn’t a dream.

Mike chuckled, nuzzling his face into my neck. “I’m back. I missed you like fucking crazy.”

I pulled his arm up my body, clutching it to my chest. “Is everything okay?”

He moved in closer, cocooning me with his body. “It is now.”

I smiled into the darkness. “I meant with the police.”

He moved his head, scratching me with his whiskers. “Oakes woke up.” Relief washed over me at the news. “He’s going to make a full recovery. I shot him protecting someone from imminent harm. They’ve got nothing.”

“It’s over?”

“It’s over.”

I turned in his arms, facing him, holding him as tightly as I could. His hand moved to the back of my head, cradling it. “But you and me? We’ve only just begun.”

I laughed. “God, you are so fucking cheesy sometimes.”

“I can honestly say I don’t think anyone has ever accused me of that before.”

“What can I say? I bring out the best in you.”

“That you do.” He tipped my chin up toward me. “Now kiss me, woman. Before I think you didn’t miss me.” I pressed my lips to his, but he pulled back before I could deepen it. “It’s been a long four days, Mols.” All humor had vanished from his voice. “Just let me hold you tonight, ok? I just need to know you’re here.”

“I’m here Mikey.” I wiggled into his chest further, breathing in his scent. My heart was happy for the first time in days. “You’re stuck with me, ya know. I’m never leaving.”

“That so?” His chest rumbled with laughter. “Now who’s bein’ a cheese?”

I lifted my shoulder in a shrug. “Just wanted you to know.”

“Glad we cleared that up.” He tipped his face down, kissing the top of my head, wrapping his arms tighter. “‘Cause I love you too Goddamn much to ever let you go.”

Epilogue

~ Mike ~

Six months later

“Stop fidgeting.”

“I can’t help it!”

When she reached to adjust a cupcake, I swatted her hand away. “Stop.” Emily smiled at us as she brought another tray out of the kitchen. “Em, tell her to stop messing with stuff. It’s perfect the way it is.”

Emily paused, looking over the table. “Stop it.” She scolded my wife. “It looks amazing. Don’t ruin it.”

I stuck my tongue out at Mols. “See?”

She narrowed her eyes back at me and brushed her blue-streaked hair over her shouler.“You’re an ass.”

“Yeah, but I’m your ass, Mrs. Carson.” I grabbed her around the waist, pulling her to me and leaning down to nibble on her lips, tugging the ball of her ring slightly.

“Seriously dad? Get a room.” Jake’s voice broke as he pushed through the door carrying an armload of presents. Poor kid had a high pitched squeaky voice one minute and a low baritone the next. He shook his head in disgust in that exaggerated way only a teenager could.   One day he’d learn half the fun of kissing Molly in public was embarrassing him. The other half was simply because I couldn’t stop touching her.

“Whose presents are those?” He cocked an eyebrow, as if to say ‘really smartass?’

I fought a smile. “I meant, who are they from?”

“Grammy Ginny.”

Molly shrunk away from me and went back to worrying over the decorations. I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her close again. “You presented at the CMTs. You performed at the CMTs and then at the Grammys. Both televised, with millions of people watching. So can you please explain to me why you’re afraid of my Grammy?”

She laughed nervously, stepping away from me. “I’m not afraid of Grammy Ginny.” When Grammy’s voice carried from the foyer, Molly stiffened. “Fine,” she snapped at me. “I may be a little intimidated. She loves Lia and I’m afraid Grammy Ginny will be disappointed in the party.”