Page 173 of Champagne Nights

“Thank you.” I smiled as I looked over at Paisley.

“You’re welcome.”

This particular restaurant had a pond outside, and Keaton took Leah to show her it.

“I think Leah had a great time today.”

“It seems like she did. She’s a great girl, Ben. The bond the two of you have reminds me of the bond between Keaton and me.”

“She is pretty amazing, and she’s so smart. She never lets her deafness stop her from doing everything she wants to. It’s just too bad that my dad can’t see her for what an amazing person she really is.”

Paisley took hold of my hand and squeezed it tight. “He will one day.”

As I smiled at her, I leaned my forehead against hers. A few moments later, Keaton and Leah walked back to the table.

“You and Leah are coming to family dinner tomorrow night,” Keaton said.

“We are?”

“They are?” Paisley asked.

“Yep. I already called Mom, and she’s really excited.”

“I guess we’re going to your family dinner tomorrow.” I smiled at Paisley.

After lunch, we walked Keaton back to his car, and I drove Paisley home.

“Why don’t you and Leah come inside while I change, and then we can go back to your house until it’s time to go to dinner?”

“Okay. Leah can play with Romeo for a bit.” I smiled.

I told Leah that we would stay at Paisley’s house for a while so she could change and freshen up before we went home. When we walked through the door, the first thing Leah did was sit on the couch, and Romeo followed, jumping up on her lap. Paisley put down her purse and told me she’d be right back after changing her clothes. I sat next to Leah on the couch, and Romeo walked over to me.

“I love him.” Leah signed.

“He’s a great cat.” I smiled.

I heard Paisley call my name from the bedroom, so I got up and walked in there.

“Where are you?” I asked.

“In the closet. Can you reach that white box on the top shelf? I usually keep a little step stool in here, but I don’t know where it went.”

I smiled as I reached up and took the box off the shelf. “Here you go.”

“Thank you.”

I looked around and noticed that all of her husband’s clothes were still hanging in the closet. His shoes were neatly placed, and his ties hung on a tie rack. When I looked at Paisley, she looked down.

“I—”

She didn’t need to explain because there wasn’t one part of me that couldn’t believe she never cleaned out his things. I placed my finger under her chin and gently lifted it so she was staring at me.

“Don’t. There’s no need for you to feel bad or embarrassed. All of Amy’s things are still in the bedroom, right down to all hermakeup and perfume. I get it, Paisley. No one else does, but I do.”

She looked at my lips as she gently placed her hand on my cheek and then kissed me. She dropped the box and ran her fingers through my hair as our kiss became more passionate. Our tongues danced, and our lips moved in sync. I wanted more of her. I wanted to make love to her.

Paisley

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