Satisfaction Guaranteed(55)

That evening, I’m lying in bed with the Chairman of the Board stretched out next to me, purring. Showing off like only a cat can do. He’s the loudest beast I’ve ever heard, and when he meows, it’s a serenade.

I pet his back, and he luxuriates in the moment. He’s so shameless. Such a love whore.

But then, I suppose I am too.

Because when Sloane struts into the bedroom showing off her new lingerie—a lacy sky-blue bra and panty set—I scoop up the cat, set him on the floor, and bring my woman next to me.

The Chairman meows his disdain, but he wanders off.

Good thing, because I need this whole bed for what I plan to do to Sloane tonight.

Make her purr so goddamn loud that the cat is impressed.

And that’s exactly what I do.





*



The next morning, I’m woken by a demanding meow.

I sit up, scrub a hand across my chin, and get out of bed.

In the kitchen, I scoop out some vittles for the Chairman, and he sings his praises as he chows down.

I return to bed, wake Sloane in her favorite way—she does enjoy the morning Os—then take her to breakfast, where we meet my friends at the diner.

Sloane is wearing my sweatshirt again this morning, but she proudly proclaims to Olivia and Herb, “I’m no longer doing the walk of shame.”

“And she never will again.” I slide in next to her at the booth to enjoy breakfast and everything else about the way our life together is unfolding.





49





A few months later

The lights are low.

The drinks are plentiful.

The crowd is my favorite.

Because it includes her. Sloane’s here in the front row like she is at many of my shows.

Tonight though? All the songs are for her.

I’m sure it’s patently obvious to the whole crowd that I’m singing to one person.

Especially when my gaze locks with hers on the first line of a Bing Crosby tune.

“Let me call you sweetheart.”

Every table is packed, and it’s standing room only—word of mouth has been good to us here at Gin Joint—but my set is for Sloane. This song is for Sloane.

“I'm in love with you.”

She mouths the words back to me, and that emboldens me.

“Let me hear you whisper that you love me too.”

So much, she mouths.

When I finish that serenade, I glide right into the song that made her melt the first night she was here, telling her she looks wonderful tonight. Hell, she looks wonderful every night.

I’m pretty sure I’m ready for my final number. I finish with her favorite, “I Don’t Stand a Ghost of a Chance with You.”

When the music ends, I don’t stop. I downshift from singing to talking. “That song is ironic, in a way,” I say, my eyes on hers.

She watches me expectantly as I make my way to her, and she whispers back, “It is ironic.”

“At first, I didn’t think we stood a chance.”

“Me either,” she says softly.

“But I wanted one.”

“So did I.”

“And tonight, I want more. I want the opposite of that song.”

She gasps quietly then presses her lips together.

I weave past a table, stopping beside the beautiful blonde I love madly. “I want all the chances with you. Now, tomorrow, and forever.”

“Oh God,” she whispers. “Me too.”

I drop down to one knee and take her hand in mine. “I want to love you for the rest of our lives. Will you marry me, Sloane?”

A tear streaks down one cheek, and she grabs my mic, sets it on the table, and kisses the hell out of me.

I’ll take that as a yes.

But even so, when she breaks the kiss, she picks up the mic and confirms to the whole crowd, “Yes. You can have all the second chances you want with me. Tonight, tomorrow, and always.”

I slide a ring on her finger as the audience cheers.

I bring her to her feet, dip her, and kiss her once more.





50





Jason



A few months later



Malone takes off early after the softball game tonight.

Which is perfect since I need to chat with Nick without my best mate around.

We head out of the park on the late summer evening, and I clear my throat, then dive headfirst into my request.

“Can we grab a pint? Because I need to pick your brain.”

He reaches for his skull, as if protecting his hair. “No! Not the brain. I need that. It’s one of my favorite organs.”

Laughing, I shake my head. “Listen, it’s about your cousin.”

Nick furrows his brow. “Malone? Are you having a bro fight with him?”

“The other cousin.”

“Truly?”

“Yes. Precisely.”

“What do you want to know about Truly? Seems you know her pretty well.”

“And yet she remains impervious to my charms.”

Nick laughs, stroking his beard. “Ah, the plot thickens. You need a little advice in the how-to-win a lady department.”

“Correction: I need a little advice in how to win my best mate’s sister.”