Page 26 of Love at First Slice
And I wasn’t going to waste a minute playing it cool. I was already in my forties. Life was too fucking short to sit around doing things the way other people thought you should.
“Mark—“
“You don’t have to say it back,” I cut her off and felt her body relax as a soft, almost wistful smile painted her gorgeous face.
“It’s not a hardship.” My heart stilled as hope and something else started to seep in. “I grew up hearing all about love at first sight and how when you know, you know, and since…” Her shoulders rose and fell. “I never knew, I never… well…” She blushed. I stroked the apples of her cheeks. “I never took a chance until… you.”
“Me, huh?” I wasn’t just a lucky son of a bitch, I was grateful and blessed.
“I love you, Mark Cosecha. I fell in love with you before dessert was served.”
“Me too, gorgeous, me too.” A quiet stillness washed over me as I stared into her eyes.
“This is crazy.” She giggled.
“Wild.” I winked, and the two of us laughed before I rolled her onto her back and gently made love to her all through the night.
Epilogue
Abby
“And two bite the dust,” Ember muttered, her blue eyes unreadable. Tabby and I looked at one another and burst out laughing as we held on to the round glass ornaments we were decorating. It was our annual Christmas ornament decorating night at Ember’s place, spending some much-needed girl time together.
“I’m all for this. I mean, look at them.” Rosie pointed at the two of us with a wide smile. “They can’t stop smiling. How long has it been since you’ve seen them like that?”
“Never,” Ember mumbled, looking almost unhappy about it. “Good sex does that to you,” she added, and I snorted.
“Great sex does that to you,” I cut in. Tabitha nodded next to me.
“Mhmm,” Tabby muttered, setting her ornament on the table. “I mean...” She hesitated, and the three of us stared at her. “Brew does this thing with his mouth.”
“Oh god!” Ember groaned. “Stop! I’m very happy for you two getting dicked down, but please be mindful of the fact you have two other friends who haven’t seen a dick in… god, I don’t even know how long.”
“I think I should get a bikini wax,” Rosie announced, clearly ready to change the subject. “Just to make sure cobwebs haven’t started to grow down there.”I guess it didn’t change.Her red hair bounced before she tossed it over her shoulder.
“Oh my god!” Tabby giggled, reaching for her glass of wine.
“Plus, with us making all these changes and taking a chance on life, I think… I think I should be ready for when it’s my turn.” It didn’t surprise me. Rosie was all about manifesting things.
“What makes you think either of us is going to meet someone, much less fall for anyone? What they found“—Ember pointed at us—“is rare. Falling in love with someone with one look? No offense, babes, but the chances are slim to none. Honestly, if I hadn’t been there both times, I wouldn’t have believed it.” Both Tab and I shrugged, not offended in the least.
“Well… it doesn’t have to be love at first sight… What about a dating app?” she suggested. Ember snorted.
I knew Ember. She dated and hooked up here and there, usually in the summertime with tourists who she knew would be long gone before anyone caught feelings. Which worked great for her since when she wasn’t hanging with us, she was working crazy hours at the local hospital as an ER nurse. But there was no way in hell she would ever download a dating app.
“Anyhow… what plans do you guys have for Christmas?” Ember asked. Tabbitha shared about spending it with Brewster and his family all while her dark eyes shone bright with joy. I loved that she had them to do things like this with. But a part of me would miss having her come over to my parents’ house with me.
“What about you, Abs?” Rosie asked, and I smiled.
“We’re going to my parents’. You know, the invitation is always open for you guys.”
“We know, and we thank you,” Tab said. “How do Mama and Papa Ramirez like Principal Cosecha, by the way?” Mark hadmet them a week ago and then again last night when we’d been over for Sunday family dinner.
“They love him.” I grinned. “Connie digs him, and Sal’s… well, you know Sal.”
“What about Pru?”
“Pru’s FaceTimed with me and got to know him a little bit. We’ll see how she likes him when she gets back to town after the new year.”
