Page 132 of Close Match

Hopeless.

But I keep listening. I owe her the right to say and do what she wants. Even if it’s walking away. So, I nod. My eyes drift shut.

“All I can do is take each moment with you one step at a time.” I feel my heart start to beat again in my chest. “If you can’t handle that, then walk away now, Monty. We’ll have each other through our family, and well, that will have to be enough.”

Some might push harder for a more definitive resolution. Me? I had only just over six months—none of it spent with her, although a great deal of it was spent thinking about her—to back my case.

“I’m not going anywhere.” And slowly, oh so slowly, I’m blessed by her smile which has both dimples popping out. This isn’t her performance smile; it’s the one she deserves for those closest to her heart.

“Then how about we meet at Wolf’s Deli for lunch?” she recommends shyly. “I’ll show you where to get the best pastrami sandwiches in New York.”

“That sounds…” Like more than I deserve. “Perfect.”

“I’ll see you there at noon tomorrow?” Quickly, Linnie texts my phone with the address. It’s the first message she’s sent me since before the accident.

“I’ll meet you there.” Reaching up, I brush a lock of hair off her face the wind blew in. “You must be exhausted.”

“That doesn’t begin to cover it.”

“Then let’s get you home.”

“It’s two blocks this way.” She points her arm out, and we begin walking in companionable silence.

As we approach her entrance, her doorman leaps up to open the door. “Thank you.” Turning her head over her shoulder, she calls out, “Until tomorrow?”

“I’ll be counting the hours.” I assure her of nothing more than the truth.

She starts to walk through the door, but then she hesitates. I’m stock-still, my heart pounding in my chest as her head drops forward. Turning, she faces me. “To hell with it.” Dropping a bag heavy enough to take out a mugger on her doorman’s foot, she runs at me. I brace for impact.

One arm wraps around my neck. The other cups my chin. “I want to taste you with nothing between us but air.” Tugging at my cheek, her lips meet mine.

The kiss isn’t long, but my head spins over it. My arms band around her waist to hold her in place as she drinks from my lips, knowing all she’ll taste is me and my love for her.

Slowly, I let her go. She steps back and puts her fingers over her smiling lips. “So, that’s what hope tastes like,” she murmurs. “Thanks for walking me home.”

“Night, Linnie.” My voice sounds rough even to my own ears.

“Night, Monty.” As she races past her doorman, she scoops up her bag and offers a quick apology. He shakes his head but smiles. Though it’s me he outright laughs at when she disappears from my sight, and I jump up and pump my fist in the air.

I haven’t won the war for her heart; I haven’t even won a battle.

But I’m in the fight.

As long as there’s breath in my body, I’ll keep fighting for another chance at my heart’s perfect match.

Epilogue

Montague - Four Years Later

“Jesus, you mean to tell me they can’t manage to figure out a better way to do this than spitting? I’ve been at this for ten minutes!” I yell as I try to come up with enough saliva to fill a small plastic test tube.

“Keep at it, Parrish! I had to do it times two,” Linnie calls back, absolutely no sympathy in her voice. She says something I can’t quite understand before her laughter rings out in the penthouse. “No, Bris. I don’t have the same cravings you do. Fortunately for Monty, all I want is lo mein, and that’s easily delivered.” There’s another pause before Linnie yells, “Simon said to tell you that you suck, my love.”

“Tell him it’s not my fault his woman has a sweet tooth.” Then, knowing it will just aggravate him, I yell back, “It’s likely all the cilantro. Poor kid needs something to counterbalance that garbage.” Then I spit again.

Linnie’s laughter can be heard from the other room where she’s making plans with Bristol to go shopping for decorating our nursery. She has in mind a rainbow theme regardless if we have a boy or a girl.

I lied.