Page 120 of Only and Forever

“You better figure out a way. I’m hooked. Soon as we get home, I’m heading straight for hist-rom aisle of the store, and you’re going to give me a reading lineup.”

Viggo bites his lip. “Seriously?”

I nod. “It was beautiful. A little messy. A lot hopeful.” I wiggle my eyebrows. “Verysexy. Got me all horny.”

A wide smile breaks across his face. “Like you need any help in that department.”

I swat his shoulder. “Excuse me,” I say primly. “I can’t help that I have a very sexy boyfriend I can’t get enough of.”

“I’m your boyfriend,” he croons.

“You are.” I tip my head, still smiling up at him. “And now, boyfriend, I have something I want you to see.”

“Oh?”

Reaching past him, I open the door to the shop.

There sits Ashbury, still the same eye-singeing orange, but now rust free. Shiny new tires, scrubbed-clean chocolate-brown interior. He looks very like his old self, but I know inside he’s got a whole new lease on life.

Viggo stares at the car, breathing roughly. “Tallulah, you didn’t.”

“Define ‘didn’t.’ ”

He whips around, blinking away tears, and wipes one away from his cheek. “You spent so much money. You fixed him. Woman, how dare you!”

I clasp his hand and squeeze tight. “Don’t be mad.”

“I’m not mad! I’mirate!”

I smile softly. “Don’t be irate, either. My book’s selling incredibly. I could have fixed ten Ashburys and never even felt it. And I would have done that, a hundred times over, not because I think money can buy your feelings for me or our happiness, but because I want to give you things that bring you joy, Viggo, and sometimes, money is the best way to do that. Sopleaseaccept this.”

Viggo stares down at me, palming away another tear. “It’s too much, Lula.”

“A fixed-up car for a fixed-up life?” I wrap my arms around hisneck, drawing him down. “I’d say I got by far the best end of that deal.”

He tugs me close, forehead to forehead. “I didn’t fix up your life,” he whispers.

“I didn’t fix up your car,” I whisper back. “We both just used our gifts to help that effort.”

Viggo sighs, and a soft smile breaks across his face. He leans in, kissing me sweetly. “You could have been a lawyer.”

“I know. But I’m so glad I’m a writer instead. Now I get to spend my days working right beside you, dreaming up worlds and plans, sharing ideas and hopes. I couldn’t ask for better.”

Viggo squeezes me tight. “Thank you, Lula. Thank you so much.”

I kiss his cheek and breathe him in. “You are so welcome, my love. Happy early birthday.”

“How do you know when my birthday is?”

“Because Charlie told me, of course.” I nuzzle his neck and press a kiss there, too. “You thought you could sneak a birthday past me?” I shake my head. “Oh, do I have plans for you tomorrow.”

Viggo groans happily. “Those plans sound promising.”

“They are,” I whisper.

“As long as there aren’t any more gifts,” he says, pulling back and holding my eyes. “This is a bigger gift than I could ever deserve.”

“You absolutely deserve it. You deserve this and so much more.”

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