Page 108 of Perfect Assumption

The shock that rips across his face is worth everything. I sip on my drink while the man who taught me and my sister to go for the throat in our arguments while we were in diapers struggles to find words. “Angie’s the one?”

“She is.” I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life. Resolutely, I go on. “I’d lay down my life for hers. Give up everything I have to protect her heart. The day doesn’t work the same unless I’m with her. She’s the beginning of everything for me.”

His face twists in pride, pleasure, and pain. “It’s not going to be an easy road, son.”

It dawns on me. “You know.”

“I recognized her. The media wasn’t just brutal, Ward. They held her up as a champion of women’s rights before they savaged her when she lost. She needs a man who’s going to stand by her regardless of what the media says about her.”

“Fuck the media,” I say heatedly.

“You say that now, Ward, but you’ve always been their darling,” Hayden starts.

“And I have enough money to disappear tomorrow and take Angie with me. She’severything, Hayden. Get that. Nothing in this world, no one in this family, means more to me than…”

Hayden coughs loudly.

Angie wraps her arm around my waist. “Merry Christmas, Hayden! I didn’t know you were coming. Someone forgot to mention it.” The daggers she’s shooting at me should drop me to the ground dead.

He smooths a hand over her head, and she doesn’t flinch.Such progress, I think with pride. “What you don’t realize, my love, is Hayden’s Christmas gift is from all of us and was taken care of by my father. He won’t let us buy him anything else.”

“Damn right I won’t. Stubborn horse’s ass,” Hayden mutters.

I leave my best friend, Hayden Wiltshire, my football box seats with the understanding he brings my son every weekend he wants to go and they be left to Ward upon your death. They’ve been paid up for the next one hundred years, you goat. Now, take some time off and have some fun.

I shudder at the memory but dredge up a smile for the woman tucked at my side. “So, you see, Hayden’s just here to visit.”

Visibly relieved, she smiles brilliantly at my godfather. “Then let me pour you a drink. Eggnog?”

“That would be great.” As Angie moves away from us, Hayden comments, “No matter what happens, don’t let her go, Ward.”

“I wasn’t planning on it,” I begin. But Hayden’s eyes turn on me fiercely.

“She’s just starting to bloom.”

“I recognize that. What are you trying to say?” My gaze is drawn to where Angie is pouring a glass of eggnog for Hayden.

He steps in front of me, blocking the vision of beauty with his craggy face. “Maybe I’m wrong, but I’m afraid her pain isn’t over yet. And I fear for both your hearts if that’s the case.”

“Christ, Hayden. She loves me.”

“Loving someone doesn’t mean you won’t hurt them. It just means the wounds last longer.”

His words cause a deep unease inside of me. I take another sip of my drink to hide my emotion.

“All I’m saying is if she needs time, don’t resent it.”

“What kind of man do you think I am?”

“Impatient. You always did rattle the presents on Christmas Eve.” His voice turns affectionate. “Thank you, Angie.”

I was so lost in the myriad of things Hayden gave me to ponder, I didn’t even notice Angie approaching. I tuck her against me so her back is protected, and hopefully she can hear the beating of my heart.

After all, I’m beginning to believe it was born to beat for her.

* * *

Hourslater we’re hooting and hollering as David lifts out lacy scraps of nothing from a box. “Just your color, brother. Maybe you should model it for all of us,” I taunt as the aqua mesh is quickly buried beneath layers of sparkly tissue paper.