So when he leans in close to whisper a life-altering promise in my ear, “You’re my forever, Hannah James,” I believe that too.
He keeps one hand braced on my hip while the other seeks out mine. “I’ve got you. Always.”
My limbs turn to putty, heart beating out of my chest. Rowan uses his own strength to steer my body exactly where it needs to go. He rolls my hips in circles, pumps me up and down. As my climax closes in, he picks up the pace. With his help, I ride him through wave after wave of my release and then his.
Through every second, he never lets go of my hand.
I walk him to his rental car in my driveway ten minutes later, my palm still wrapped inside his.
And even though there’s no clear picture of when we’ll see each other next, we don’t say goodbye. OnlyI love you.
Three months have passedsince I was last here with Mom. J&J’s was our place. So much ours, I’ve been sitting in my car for fifteen minutes wondering if I should let this tradition go. Let Saturday brunch be a thing that was ours for a time—a season that’s ended—and move on.
Customers come and go through the main doors at a predictable pace, a constant silhouette of activity bustling through the front windows. It’s been so long I doubt our usual booth has even been left open for me.This is stupid.
I shake my head decisively and turn the key in the ignition, put the car in reverse. My phone rings and I halt, shifting back to park.Boulder Police Departmentflashes across my home screen.
On a deep breath, I answer, “Hello?”
“Ms. James, this is Officer Montgomery. Do you have a minute?”
My thick swallow pulses loud in my ears. “Yes, sir.”
“Great. I wanted to let you know we’ve arrested Daniel Cartwright, and he’s currently detained in the county jail.”
“Oh, I…wow,” I stammer. “That was fast.”
“It was, but the security camera footage was evidence enough to file charges. Mr. Cartwright didn’t deny any of the allegations.” Relief floods my chest. “I expect this case to be resolved quickly. Barring anything unforeseen, he’ll likely serve a jail sentence. I can’t say for sure how long, but I’ll keep you informed as this moves through the court.”
I blink up at the roof of the car. “Thank you, Officer.”
“No word yet on whether or not he’ll post bail, but if he does I’ll reach out so you can come down and file a restraining order.”
I only nod, but he hears the acceptanceanyway.
“And, ma’am?”
“Yes?”
He sighs. “I want to commend you for how hard you fought. Not only in the parking lot, but in having the courage to come down to the station and report it.” Tears sting the corners of my eyes. “If you were my daughter, I’d be damn proud of you.”
A pause and a whisper. “Thank you, sir.”
“Not many women are in situations where someone like Mr. Shaw can rush in to help. It’s a very sad but true fact in cases like these. You’re very lucky he was there, Ms. James.”
“Yes, I know.”
Relative to what other women experience, Iamlucky someone was there, and I’ll never take that for granted. But Rowan and me? There’s no luck involved when it comes to us. I’m tempted to say as much, but that’s for Rowan and I to hold onto for ourselves. Let the world call us what they want—lucky, a spark of chance with a side of coincidence. We know better.
My gaze drifts to the photo booth pictures he installed on my dash months ago. The images that stare back at me in all my comings and goings, day in and day out. His arms wrapped around me, my smile as full as my heart.
Like the universe wants to prove a point, a text comes in from the man himself the moment I hang up with Officer Montgomery.
Rowan
Hey guess what?
I still love you.