Page 18 of Jigsaw
“Okay,” she agreed, and I took her hand into mine and guided us into the diner.
I was out this way about once a month when I needed to ride without distractions, so I was familiar with the way they didthings. I walked us up to the counter and explained, “We order here, and they’ll bring it to us.”
She looked over the small menu, and after we both ordered and I paid for lunch, I guided her to a table in the far corner, away from prying ears. Willow and I needed to speak about some serious topics, and I didn’t want her to feel like she needed to censor herself or that others were listening.
“Where do you want to start? Because I don’t want there to be any secrets between us. There never has been, and I don’t think us starting our life together with them is a good idea,” I said and sat back, giving her the chance to say whatever she needed to.
“Our life together? I didn’t think you were serious about what you said.” She looked down at the table as she said, “You don’t have to keep your word. I know it was only said to make those guys leave me alone.”
I reached across the table and took her hands into mine as I waited for her to look at me. When she finally did, I saw a sadness in her eyes that I’d only seen one time before. And the last time, I’d renounced my patch and walked away to make sure she was protected.
“I never say something I don’t mean, and I’m not taking it back. You’re mine, Willow. You always have been, but I was too young and too stupid to take you with me when I left. For that, I’m so sorry.”
“I know why you left Minneapolis, and it’s me who should be apologizing. I cost you your future as a Phantom Renegades, and I don’t blame you for hating me,” she said.
The waitress brought our food to the table and asked if we needed anything before leaving us alone.
“Willow, I don’t hate you. I’ve never hated you, and I was deluding myself by thinking that leaving Minneapolis would make me stop loving you. It didn’t. And now, we’ve been givensomething rare in this life—a second chance at happiness. Not many people get that, and we need to do whatever we can to make it work.”
“But you live here, and I live—”
“In Chicago,” I interjected, and she looked confused. “Ghost told me. You work from home doing accounting, so you can work from home here.” I smiled at her and asked, “Next reason?”
She picked up a French fry and took a bite, not speaking. I figured she was running through every reason why she couldn’t be mine, so I picked up my sandwich and took a bite, not wanting to rush this conversation.
“What about what you said to Popeye?” she asked, and I shrugged as I swallowed the bite and wiped my mouth with a napkin.
“Popeye’s gone, and I’m sorry about that, but his words have no power over us anymore. And from what Marcus said, even though you’re not a member of the Phantom Renegades, he’s never had a problem with you and me being together.”
She picked up another fry and took a bite, so I smiled at her and began eating again. When she opened her mouth to speak, then closed it again, I high-fived myself in my mind, knowing she was knocking down the obstacles in her mind without me having to do anything.
When she asked the next question, I wanted to pull her into my arms but refrained, giving her the space she needed to make up her mind about giving us a chance. “Why do you want to be with me anyway? There’s bound to be better women for you than me.”
I put my sandwich down and wiped my hands before reaching over and offering them to her. She placed hers in mine, and I looked deep into her eyes as I spoke from the heart. The only other time I’d done this was that night with her, when I admitted my deepest, darkest secrets.
“From the moment I met you, I knew you were special. There was something about you that meshed with me, making me complete, and I think you felt it too. You probably still feel that way because I know I do. You’re the only person to ever see the true me, and you accepted me, allowed me to share myself with you, and when we parted ways, you took a piece of me with you.” I leaned over and pulled her hands across to place a kiss on each as I added, “I’ve loved you longer than I can admit, but that’s the truth, Willow. I love you, and I want to place a claim on you, but only if you want the same thing.”
“Why did you renounce your colors? Why did you renounce me?” she asked, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
“Because Popeye was going to cut you off and cast you out. I didn’t have anything to offer at that time, but things are different now.” I paused then continued, “Renouncing my colors was easier than renouncing you, but I couldn’t be the reason your life fell apart.”
“That was the reason?” she asked, allowing the tears to fall.
“And nothing else. I swear to you, on my patch as a member of the Sinners Revenge MC, I wouldn’t have left you if I had any other choice.”
She picked up a napkin and wiped under her eyes before taking a swallow of her drink. I didn’t make a move as she sat across from me and contemplated her decision.
“And my brother is okay with all of this?” she asked.
“He gave his blessing, as long as you’re happy.”
“And you’re not going to take it back, or cast me aside when some sweet butt shakes her ass in front of you?”
That question was the one that got me out of my seat. I stood and took her hand, encouraging her to stand with me. She stood and looked me in the eyes as I said, “A sweet butt or a club slut doesn’t hold a candle to an ol’ lady. To me, to the Sinners, you are precious, treasured, and protected. You would have sisterswho would have your back, and a family who would ride to the end of the earth for you.”
When she wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled herself close before placing a soft kiss on my lips, I felt the worry bleed out of me. I didn’t realize until that moment that I’d been holding my breath for the last six years. But with Willow in my arms, agreeing to give us a real chance, I was able to exhale.
And if I had to put a ring on her finger before the cut on her back to guarantee that she’d stay here, then I was ready to find a chaplain and say ‘I do’.
