Page 65 of Takedown

I glide my hands in his hair and caress his skull. I kiss his lips before I look into his eyes again. “I’ll never take it back. When I’m old and on my deathbed, I’ll think of this moment as I take my last breath. I love you, Adam Finnegan Flynn, my husband.”

“And I love you, Melanie Elyse Flynn, my wife. I think I always have. We were made for each other, love.”

“Do you have any siblings on your father’s side?” We made love again after my confession. Hours later, we’re still in bed. This is my favorite part. This is when I learn things about my husband that few people know. I can tell he’s stopped breathing. I look into his face, but he looks away.

“I’m happy being my mother’s only child,” he says. “I don’t like talking about him, Mel.” He leans back and closes his eyes. “I’ve talked about him more with you these past few weeks than I have in years.”

“Did you want any growing up?” I ask him, changing the subject away from his father.

“I have cousins. I never really thought of it. My mom’s family is big, and I’ve never been lonely. Tell me something you want. Something money could buy if we had the funds. But it has to be a want, not a need.”

I lean on his body and think. I’ve never been rich, and I’ve been practically on my own since I was eighteen, so money has always been an issue for me. “I think I’d like to travel. Buy first class plane tickets and fly off to Bali or Tahiti on a whim. I’d love to own a vacation home some place like Myrtle Beach. Stuff like that. What about you?”

He reaches over and pushes a piece of hair off my forehead. “I’d like to give you everything you want.”

“Do I have you?”

“Til my last breath.”

“Then I have everything I wantandneed.”

“So do I, love.”

34

My legs feel like lead by the time I hop off my bike Monday morning. I’m drenched with sweat and tiptoe into the bathroom to shower. I meant to go to the gym this morning, but I didn’t want to be away from Mel any earlier than I had to.

We spent Sunday alone in our apartment talking and making plans for our future. Truth be told, I never wanted to go to Las Vegas. I was worried she would meet someone there, but that trip was the best thing that could have happened.

She married me, and despite a rocky start, she’s still here. Not only that, she’s in love with me. Eager to kiss her one more time before I leave for work, I rush through my shower, but she’s no longer in bed when I get to the bedroom.

“Mel!” I leave the room with only the towel wrapped around my waist. “Mel!” I stop short when I find her in the kitchen wearing nothing but her short robe. “Why are you up so early?” The smell of fresh coffee hits my nose, but she’s also pulled out several containers of food from the fridge.

“Do you know that you spent seventy-nine dollars on lunches last week? And that doesn’t include the extra twenty-three dollars you spent at Starbucks.” She grabs a Tupperware bowl from the cabinet and starts filling it with leftovers from last night’s dinner.

I sigh loudly and run a hand through my damp hair. “I like my coffee, and I’m a growing boy. I gotta eat lunch.” I turn my back and roll my eye to the ceiling. I love this about her, but it’s fucking annoying.

“I’m making you coffee, and I bought you a to-go mug the other day. I’m also going to be packing your lunch from now on.” She crosses the room and stands in front of me. I smile when I see the appreciative gleam in her eyes. “But don’t worry. You can get coffee and buy lunch on Fridays.”

I huff and twist my mouth. “That’s not necessary, Mel. We’re fine.”

“I know, but you’ll thank me when we own our own home. It’s just a small sacrifice, Adam.” She moves closer and wraps her arms around my damp body. “And I’ll make sure you have enough coffee and lunch, just from home.”

“Does this mean you’ll stop spending money on nail polish? Every time you go out, you buy more.” She purses her lips and I smile in victory. “At least food and coffee are necessities.” I add that just to twist the knife. She pinches my side in retaliation but nods.

“Fine!” She looks less happy than I do.

“Thanks, love, for looking out for our future.” I bend down and kiss her cheek, and she smiles happily. “Who knew I married such a cheapskate.”

“Cheapskate Mellie is very responsible. Right now, nineteen-fifties Mellie is going to pack your lunch. Tonight, slutty Mellie will rock your world.” She walks away and pours coffee in a black to-go mug.

“Who knew there were so many of you in there? Maybe I should have you committed.”

“Very funny. If you do that, you’ll miss out on slutty Mellie.”

“I wouldn’t want to do that.”

“I love you,” she yells to my retreating back.

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