The Space In Between(65)

I laughed. “I'm not going to sleep with you, so you can stop trying so hard.”
He grew serious in his demeanor. “I'm not looking for sex.”
“Yeah? And what are you looking for?”
He smiled and winked at me.
I looked near the art gallery window and noticed all of the paparazzi cameras flashing away at the two of us. I said, “I really want to kiss you, but it appears we have an audience.”
He smirked, placed his hand on my lower back, and pulled me closer to him. I could feel his breath against my skin as he whispered, “Let’s give them their damn picture and they’ll leave us alone.”
“Promise?”
“Nope.” He smiled as he pulled me into a deep, passionate kiss. Everyone disappeared the instant his lips met mine. It was just me and him in the moment, and no one, not even the paparazzi, could take that away from us.


Epilogue


Six Months Later


“‘WE’LL JUST GET coffee,’ he said. ‘We’ll go out for breakfast,’ he said.” Andrea rolled her eyes, mocking me as we sat in the back of the black car. I laughed as I looked down to her growing stomach and kissed it.
“I can’t help it that you’re addicted to sex. We’ll look into getting you help.”
“We have arrived,” the driver said.
I turned to him and smirked. “Thanks, Jesu—Joe. Thank you, Joe.” I handed him a few bills and he shook his head.
“You don’t have to keep paying me. If I’m going to be your driver, you gotta understand that I get a check every two weeks.” He pushed the money back at me, and being unwilling to give up on the issue—I slid it into his pocket.
“I’m just paying you back for all of your sound advice. We’ll be done around ten.”
“I’ll be here.”
Suddenly, Andrea reached forward and placed her hand on Joe’s shoulder. “Joe...Awhile back, you helped me through some of the hardest times. And it sounds like you helped Cooper, too. So, I still don’t know if there’s something bigger out there...Something helping guide us around this crazy world. But I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you for the ride, Joe.” Her soft smile met with his as he nodded.
As Andrea and I got out of the car, we saw Eric and Ladasha stepping out of their ride. Eric had flown in to see the show with us, and the way he looked at Ladasha made me damned happy for them both. They were still trying to learn what their story was. They were learning how to make their relationship work with the distance and the different lifestyles between the two, but I could tell they both were willing to do the best they could. Ladasha had a few things from her past that she had to face, and Eric was there to help her through it all. I watched Eric whisper into Ladasha’s ear and she turned to him, pressing her lips against his. They deserved each other.
I guided Andrea into the theater, where her dance company was performing that evening. When we reached our seats, I looked to her and saw the pride in her eyes.
As I took her hand into mine, we grew comfortable in our seats and prepared for a wonderful show. We took it one step at a time. One adventure. One event. One memory.
There was no hurry to plan our futures—other than which crib to buy for the nursery.
We didn’t follow society’s rules and walk down the aisle before having children. We made our own rules. We promised to give ourselves to one another completely—mind, body, and spirit.
I leaned in towards Andrea, kissed her earlobe, and whispered to her. “Marry me.”
She turned to me and huffed as she narrowed her eyes. She gave me a quick kiss on the lips, turned back to the stage, and said, “Okay.”
One step.
One adventure.
One love.
We made the rules.
And we promised to always, always, live happily in the moment.


Acknowledgments

FIRST AND FOREMOST I need to say thank you to the amazing world of authors, beta readers, bloggers, fans, friends, and family that have helped make this novel what it is today.
Special thanks to bloggers Can’t Read Just One, For The Love Of Books, Crazies R Us Book Blog, One More Chapter, The World of Pinkishues and Midnightblues, 2 Chicks and a Blog, Books, Coffee, and Wine, and Nerd Girl for all your loving support and open arms to this new author.
A BIG thanks to the amazing cover artist, Kevin Kimmons: For making my cover ‘dreams come true.’ Your skills, eye for details, and talents are beyond outstanding. Thank you.
To Mickey, the BEST EDITOR EVER: For being simply that—the best editor ever. Thanks for not freaking out over MY freak outs.
And the list goes on: Amber, Kyle, Vickie, Melissa, and Jim. Samantha, Lazandria, Zonzerrias, Lauren, and Mary. Rayen, Sam, and Erinn. Love all around.
To my five brothers and two sisters: Bryon, Tiffani, Brandon, Candace, Isaiah, Ben, Will—So much love, respect, and pride to be able to call you all family. Love you!
To my papa: Thanks for the love and support! *And buying me the laptop that THIS novel was written on!* Love you, dad!
Lastly, this one is for you, mom: The one who believed in my dreams when I didn’t know how to. Thank you for standing me in front of the mirror at a young age and having me say over and over again, “I am somebody. And I have a voice.” You’re the Sherlock to my Watson. Love you to the moon and back!