Page 178 of If You Claim Me

“Still such a villain…” She laughs.

“Still such a beautiful menace,” I note.

She licks her lips, voice barely carrying across the space between us. “You should make a scene.”

“A big or little one?”

She holds her fingers apart the tiniest bit. “Just a little one. I want to come here again.”

I tuck my finger under her chin and bend until my lips almost touch hers. “I can’t express how devastated I was when I thought I might never have the chance to make another memory like this with you.” I brush my lips over hers. “I promise to giveyou the best versions of me, and to put that cruel part of me to rest. He’ll be buried for good now.”

Her palm rests against my cheek, her eyes warm with approval. “There’s my sweet villain.”

I slide another bracelet with the name of the bookstore and today’s date onto her wrist. We stay snuggled together on the couch in the bookstore for another half an hour, and then I take her to the Pancake House for something to eat, because she loves it there. She orders the strawberries-and-cream pancakes, and I settle on bacon and eggs. As I slide yet another bracelet with the Pancake House on it, along with the date, the pieces of my heart slowly knit themselves back together.

“A bookstore and the Pancake House is my idea of the perfect date.” Mildred sighs as she pushes her plate away. The strawberries and the whipped cream are gone, but she only made it through one pancake. Priorities.

“I hoped you would love it.”

She reaches across the table, flipping her palm up. “Thank you for knowing me.”

I drag my fingers over hers. “I want this date to be about all the things that make you happy.” We’ve both had enough of dressing up and being put on display these past few months. “And I have one more surprise in store for you.”

“I’m not sure how you’ll top this, but I’m excited for whatever is up your sleeve.”

I pay for dinner, and we leave the diner and drive to the next stop.

Her eyes widen as she takes in the sign above the venue. “Pierce the Veil are playing? How did I not know this?”

“You’ve had a busy few months.” I pull up to the valet.

She grabs my arm. “You got us tickets?”

“I got us tickets,” I confirm as I put the car in park. “Stay right here for a moment, please.”

“Yes. Okay. Yes. Oh my gosh. I’m so excited. Wait!” She stops me before I can open the driver’s side door. “Come here.”

Mildred pulls me to her and suddenly my whole world is strawberry shampoo and soft, warm lips I can’t ever get enough of. My existence aligns with that kiss. I would live in this moment for eternity if I could, here where I feel claimed again.

But we have a concert to attend, so after a moment, I gently pry my lips from hers. “Hopefully to be continued.”

“Definitely, yes.”

I jog around the car to help her out, and we head inside. Mildred’s excitement is infectious as we enter the music hall and the attendant scans our tickets.

“Follow the signs to pick up your backstage passes.” He points to the arrows above our heads.

“Backstage passes?” My wife clings to my arm, eyes wide. “This is unreal.”

I press my lips to her temple. “I’m glad it makes you happy.”

“Youmake me happy.”

“When I’m not being awful, anyway.”

She kisses my cheek. “Your feelings were on fire, and I didn’t let you get away with it.”

“I’m glad you didn’t, and I’ve learned my lesson.” I slide yet another bracelet on her wrist, smiling at the collection of memories we’ve made tonight.