Page 75 of And Everything In Between

“You like it?”

She turned to look at him—really look at him. This man who'd stopped traffic for her, who'd sat with her father during dialysis, who'd built her a library in his man cave. Who saw her independence as strength, not a wall to tear down.

“I love it. This color is so rich. Look at the curves. Baby.”

“Baby what?” he questioned with his hand behind his ear.

“You're the fucking best. Keys, please?”

Giovanni leaned in and kissed her and put the keys in her hand. Her back hit the side of the car. And with the scent of vanilla and paint still fresh in the air, as she leaned close and let her lips graze his ear. “Next time you build a car for me, make sure there’s room in the backseat.”

He didn’t pull away. Just let the heat simmer between them. “Mmm. My baby always ready for daddy.”

She tossed her head back in laughter. But he didn’t find shit funny. He knew she didn’t have any panties on; she never did. She could read his mind, “No. No. Not until I get to test drive my new ride.”

“Ok, I’ll chill. Look at the front.”

She walked to the front, her finger trailing the car as she made it around. ‘HERS’ was on the license plate and the grill that looked like hers made her squeal in delight. “Let’s go, I gotta drive it.”

They slid into the car, and he roared as it came to life. “Paige don’t be driving this shit all fast. It’s got a big block in it. You know y’all women can’t drive as is.”

“Hush and sit back because I don’t know what that means.” Paige kicked off her heels. Giovanni leaned back in the seat and let her take them on a ride around town. The windows were down, he was relaxed, she sang, he sang. When they got to a red light, he came in close, kissing her ear and neck, distracting her.

“Pull in over here,” he said. Paige carefully pulled into an all-night dirty soda food truck. And they hopped out. His baby loved treats and snacks. There was no way he could end this night without satisfying her sweet tooth.

“This is what I love about you. We just do this. Spontaneous. On the cuff. I don’t know. You’re perfect.”

“What I tell you about that?” he asked, pulling her close, whispering in her ear. “You feel that?”

“Nah, you always ready for big momma. Get me a treat first, and then we can go. I’m tired too, I’ve had a full day.”

“Damn right. I’ll be back.”

Giovanni came back with two drinks ten minutes later. They leaned against the car; the warm night was perfect for a cool drink on the hood of a classic car. She took a sip, cold fizz popping on her tongue, and watched him the way she always did, like she couldn’t believe he was real.

“What?” He couldn’t even look at her, afraid of what he’d do if he did. His best bet was to continue admiring the moonlight bouncing off her new baby.

“Nothing,” she said, timidly. “Appreciating the small things. The moments you create. You do that without even trying.”

He nodded, slowly, because he felt it too.

She slid closer, resting her head on his shoulder, her voice a hum against his skin.

She didn’t know what tomorrow would bring. But with the keys in one hand, and Giovanni’s fingers laced in the other, she finally felt like she was in the driver’s seat of her own life.

She had her man, her Monte, and her momentum.

And she wasn’t letting go of any of it.

Chapter 19

Paige cracked her neck, nervous to make this call. Two weeks into her new position with a team depending on her, she couldn’t up and leave work like before. Her thumb hovered over Giovanni’s name, trembling slightly. Why was this still so hard? After everything they’d shared, her body, her home, her fears, asking for help shouldn’t feel like jumping off a cliff. But old habits died with their boots on, kicking and screaming.

“Just ask,” she coached. Since meeting Giovanni, she hadn’t needed to ask for anything; he was always steps ahead of her needs. But this wasn’t that. This felt like a pivotal moment, one she was making bigger than necessary; she knew that. She was rolling her eyes at herself. Ten deep breaths later, she finally decided to trust herself and Giovanni by hitting the green button.

“What’s good, baby?” His voice came through, warm and easy, like he’d been waiting for her call.

“Uh... I need a favor.” The words came out smaller than intended.

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