30. Lizzie
30
LIZZIE
D illan pulls me close, his arms wrapping around me like a protective shield. His gaze meets mine, and a warm light emerges in his impossibly blue eyes.
“Yeah, you better damn well love me,” Dillan says. “And I love you.”
His words carry a warmth that seeps into my heart.
“Despite all the craziness?”
“What craziness?” he counters with a grin. “I didn’t see a speck of it.”
“Well, they do say love is blind,” I whisper.
“If that’s the case, then I must be the blindest man alive.”
“Ah, so it’s official then,” I tease, masking the lump in my throat with a playful tone.
Dillan senses my reaction and tightens his embrace, drawing me even nearer. He strokes my cheek, his voice steady and filled with sincerity. “I want you just the way you are,” he whispers into my ear, his breath sending shivers down my spine.
I gaze into his eyes, feeling my heart melt.
“You’re the most beautiful craziness in my life,” he rumbles, “and I love everything about you. I love every quirk, every crazy thought, every part of you. You couldn’t be more perfect for me. And you know why?”
“Why?” I breathe out.
His thumb lightly caresses my lips, then glides over my chin. “All right, listen up. Truth is, whether you’re quirky or not, full of wild ideas or not, the most perfect girl or not, I couldn’t care less. You’re still mine. Got it?”
I catch my breath, leaning into him, still absorbing his words. “Got it,” I choke out.
“I wouldn’t trade a single moment with you for anything in the world. Loving you is like breathing, baby—it’s effortless and essential. My life is different. Better. Because you’re here. One day, it was the usual routine, and the next, you were the only thing on my mind. In the blink of an eye, you became my world. It was like a switch flipped, and suddenly, I couldn’t stop thinking about you. You touched my heart. Irrevocably. Everywhere I go I see you. Everywhere I look I see you.” He pauses. “Uh-oh. I’m in deep trouble.”
“Trouble is my middle name.”
“I can tell. So, get used to it, because I’m not going anywhere. You and me, we’re forever .”
“Always and forever?”
“Always and forever,” he rumbles with a cute nod, and I’m drawn to the steady rhythm of his voice. “Come here, trouble . I want you in my life every day and in my bed every night. I’m going to be the man who loves you until the day he dies. I’m going to be the man who brings that smile to your face and makes you happy. No fucking doubt about it.” He tilts his head, silently asking for a kiss.
Tears fill my eyes. I can’t help it.
I press my lips to Dillan’s, overwhelmed with emotion, unable to think of what else to do. The burdens I’ve been carrying my whole adult life lift off my shoulders, and I feel like I can breathe properly for the first time in years.
“Well, lucky for you, Ms. Trouble comes with a lifetime supply of craziness,” I whisper, burying my face in his chest.
“As long as it’s with you, I’ll take it.”
I was fully expecting a joke, a return to our playful back-and-forth, but his sincere words hang in the air. I hold his face in my hands and lean back so I can look at him, overcome by emotion.
“It feels like a dream,” I tell him. “No one’s ever told me I’m perfect like that.”
“Well, start believing it. Because you are. Well, except for one thing.”
Oh. I stiffen. “What?”
“Your last name.”
“Ha.” I let out a chuckle.
“But hey, that’s easily fixed.”
I’m still catching my breath from just moments ago when he laid it all out: cohabitation, love, the works. But the suggestion of putting a ring on my finger? That’s even too wild for me. Our connection still feels fresh, and I’m hardly the typical picket-fence kind of girl. “But isn’t that what sets us apart?” I ask. “We’re not your run-of-the-mill couple who follow the same old script.”
“Nothing’s wrong with a classic love story.”
“True.” I plant a kiss over his heart and lean back into his chest. “Maybe it’ll be for us one day.”
“I’ll be ready.”
“Just promise me I won’t wake up to find you gone.”
“I promise, baby. I’m with you and Isaac. I will hold you for the rest of our lives.”
I look at Isaac, who is happy as can be, settled between his parents. All the work I’ve been doing has been rough as a new mom. I want to be home with Isaac more—and now I will be able to.
“I wish I didn’t have to go to work today,” I muse, happier than I’ve felt in a long time. “I don’t know how I’m going to focus on anything else but my studio and you two.”
Dillan shrugs, the playful glint returning to his eyes. “Call your boss and tell her you need the day. You’ve been working plenty, I’m sure she would understand. Plus, who can resist spending the day with the undisputed king around?”
“Ah, so we’re bowing to the king’s demands now, are we?”
“ We are. Because seriously, I’m pretty sure the real king around here is the one in diapers.”
I laugh.
A day off sounds like a blast. Marlene would understand.
Normally, the thought of calling out sends me into an anxiety episode. But not today. I’ve got vacation days that are untouched, and I feel I’m entitled to use some. “Let’s ditch the routine for a day. Or two, or three,” I say, smiling. “Or more.”
“Now you’re talking.”
“Oh, my gosh ! I just realized, I’ll soon have enough saved already to go ahead and get the floors redone. I thought about saving it for much later, but now I don’t have to.”
“I don’t mind lending a hand with renovations either,” Dillan offers.
“Are you sure? You don’t strike me as a skilled craftsman.” I flash a playful smile.
Dillan chuckles, catching on. “Oh, baby, you have no idea. I’m not just talking about tools or brushes. I’ve got a whole toolbox of talents up my sleeve.”
“Well, Mr. Handyman, I’ll believe it when I see it.”
Beyond excited, I hand Isaac to Dillan before practically jumping out of bed. Now that I’ve made the decision to move in with him, I can’t wait to pack my and Isaac’s bags. Little Isaac has twice as much luggage as me. But I can’t move in with Dillan right away. “Oh, gosh, there’s so much to do. So much to pack. But I want to at least give Pippa a chance to find someone new. I can’t just up and leave without notice.”
“I don’t expect you to,” Dillan says, watching me dress with amusement in his eyes. “There’s no rush. We can go at whatever speed you’re comfortable with. As long as I get you in my bed more often.”
“You can count on that.” I lean down to give him another kiss. “Do you mind staying with Isaac while I go get a few things from my apartment?”
“I don’t mind at all.” Dillan gets up, rocking Isaac slightly. “Oh, the keys to my car are on the counter. Feel free to take it. I hate the thought of you lugging your stuff through the subway.”
I hadn’t even thought of that. In my excitement, I’d been too focused on everything else. “I’ll only be gone an hour or two.”
“Take your time, baby. Me and the little man are good here.”
I have to stop and observe them for a moment, feeling too damn lucky. After sending Marlene a text and telling her I won’t be in for a few days, I grab my coat and head out.
A ll my life, I’d resisted handouts and help because I knew it came with strings attached. Yet with Dillan, he never does anything or gives me the slightest inclination that’s the case. What he offers comes from the goodness of his heart, and it makes me love him even more.
The fact he knows I would be uncomfortable if he paid for everything without exception and takes steps to ensure I still have a say and will still be able to stand on my own speaks volumes. It makes me feel seen for the first time ever.
Driving Dillan’s car is a different story. It’s a brand-new black BMW and expensive, so even though I’m excited to talk to Pippa, I still drive overly cautious. When I pull up outside the apartment building, I take a moment to stare at the outside. It’s been my home for so long, and the idea of leaving makes me feel a little sad. Especially when I think about not being roommates with Pippa anymore or going down the hall to have a cup of tea with Mrs. Loughty.
Speaking of which, she meets me in the hall the moment the elevator doors open. I smile at her, taking in the sight of her new shawl and her matching slippers. I’d surprised her and Pippa with some gifts as a token of my appreciation for all their help. Her worn-out shawl and slippers have been replaced by a soft, muted lavender cardigan and matching cozy house shoes that she absolutely adores. Pippa, on the other hand, has scored several sets of risqué lingerie in the hope that the girl I caught slipping out of her room a while back (still MIA) will get a peek someday. Pippa has got her theories: Nova is either avoiding touch-ups like the plague, or she’s secretly the shyest person on the planet. Bless her heart, Pippa’s got it bad for her.
“Elizabeth, dear! I’m so glad you’re home,” Mrs. Loughty says, pulling me into a hug. “Aww, where’s the little one? I haven’t seen him in days.”
“He’s with Dillan. They’re having some father-son time.”
“You’ve really hit the jackpot with that man, love,” Mrs. Loughty says. “I could tell from the moment I met him that he was head over heels for you. And the way he is with little Isaac… it’s just the most precious thing in the world. Mind you, Herbert would have been a good match too. I hope you don’t change your mind. Because as far as I know, Herbert is taken. Don’t be disappointed though, dear. When are you two getting married?”
“Mrs. Loughty.” I sigh.
“Married, dear, married. When’s the wedding?”
“No wedding plans, Mrs. Loughty. We’re just enjoying being together and focusing on Isaac.” I can’t bring myself to spill the beans about the moving plans to her, at least not before I’ve shared it with Pippa. What’s even tougher is to convey to my sweet neighbor that happiness doesn’t always come in a ring-shaped package these days. Dillan and I share an unconventional bond, and I cherish it without the need for any formal commitments.
As if she’s read my mind, Mrs. Loughty says, “Well, I suppose it’s your choice and all that, but if it were me I would lock that man down right away! I asked Charles to marry me only three weeks after we met. I told him he’d better put a ring on it.” She smiles. “What, don’t you think I like a bit of Beyoncé, too?”
I laugh, making my way to my apartment. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
Pippa is lounging on the couch when I come in. “Hey,” she says with a grin. “What are you doing here? I thought you were going straight to work from Dillan’s.”
“Pippa…he asked me and Isaac to move in with him.”
Pippa’s mouth drops open before she excitedly jumps up. “No fucking way!”
All the excitement I’ve been feeling floods out, and I squeal, “ Yes way!”
She swoops me up into a big hug. “It’s about time! I know living apart with Isaac has been rough on the two of you. Oh, this is so exciting. When are you moving in?”
“He says I can do it whenever I’m ready. I told him I need to give you some time to find someone else.”
Pippa waves her hand. “Girl, forget about me. I’ll be fine. The tattoo shop is doing well, so I think I might actually just turn your room into a game room or something. There’s no way I could possibly find someone else so amazing to live with.”
Her words bring tears to my eyes, and I’m suddenly reminded of everything we’ve been through together. “Oh, Pippa…”
“Don’t you dare cry, bitch, or you’re going to make me cry.”
“I can’t help it!”
We hug again, both trying not to cry and failing miserably. They are mostly happy tears, but there’s a sadness there too. I try not to dwell on it because living with Dillan is what I want to do, and I know Pippa wouldn’t want me to feel sad on her account.
“Let me help you pack,” she says when we pull away.
“Yes, please. Between my stuff and Isaac’s, there’s a lot. I guess I don’t need any of my furniture so we can chuck that mattress in the dumpster.”
“Where it belongs.” Pippa follows me to my room. “God, Lizzie, I’m so damn happy for you. You’ve been working so hard for so long; you deserve all the happiness in the world.”
We spend the next hour chatting as I pack up my and Isaac’s clothes. I tell her all about the plans for the studio’s renovations I’d thought of doing but couldn’t afford before. The conversation is so light and carefree; I can’t believe I’m not dreaming. It has to be a dream. Getting my dream studio and the love of my life all at once has to mean I dreamed the whole thing.
But when I get a text from Dillan with a photo of him and Isaac and a message telling me to be safe on the way home, I almost start crying again.
“God, I’m so happy,” I tell Pippa, sitting next to her on the bed. “I’m too happy. Is this too much too soon? What if I’m jumping the gun here?”
“Don’t think that way, Elizabeth Daphne Moore,” Pippa says, putting her arms around me. “Good things are allowed to happen to you, even though I know your brain is telling you otherwise. I promise. I promise . You hear? And you know what that means, right? Dillan is crazy about you and not in the ‘uh-oh’ way, but in the ‘awww’ way, and that’s a very rare thing.”
I can’t stop the large goofy grin on my face. “I love him so much, Pippa. Him and Isaac. I never thought I could love anyone that way, and now I love them both.”
“And the best part is, you don’t have to dance at the lounge anymore,” Pippa says. “I know you were worried about having to do that again.”
“I still haven’t told Dillan about that. I’m nervous as hell he’ll be upset. No man would be happy to hear that their woman used to dance almost naked—for money—in front of other men. I mean, he’s not some ‘I don’t give a fuck what my girl does’ type of man. He’s definitely not going to like this. Ah, crap. I wish I could lock this part of my life away and never revisit it. It’s just not something I really want to think back on.”
“Then don’t,” Pippa says. “Don’t think back. Only think forward.”
“I just keep thinking about my old exes, the ones before Rex, who broke up with me when I told them. And they weren’t even the aggressive types! They just said ‘nope’ and were gone. You can never know how they react.”
“Right. Don’t wake sleeping dogs.”
“I think the phrase is, ‘let sleeping dogs lie.’”
“Whatever. It all means the same thing.”
“You’re right, Pippa. Only forward. I know I’ve got to tell him eventually. I don’t want him to find out by some stupid coincidence.”
“You do you, girl.”
She helps me load my clothes into the car. There’s still a lot more I need to grab, but at least this way, I’ll be set at Dillan’s for a few days. Even though I’ll be seeing her again, we still hug like it’s goodbye because, for us, it is. It’s the end of an era. The end of just Pippa and Lizzie, and the beginning of something new and beautiful.
O n my way back to my new home, I decide to take a quick detour.
I’m back in my studio. When I unlock the door, it feels like stepping into a whole new world. Now that most of the weight of the financial responsibilities has been lifted, there’s all this space for pride and a bubbling excitement.
The construction crew is gone. Slowly, I walk around the space, finally taking it all in and imagining Dillan with a paint roller in his hand and on a ladder while Isaac and I add new paint to the areas further down. All my life, I’ve wanted to dance, and the fact that I now have my own dance studio is overpowering. In the most wonderful way, of course. With a smile, I start to dance. Nothing specific, certainly nothing choreographed.
In my dance studio, everyone’s invited. I’ll offer classes for people of all ages.
For the little ones, it’ll be not just about learning steps. It’ll be about embracing the joy of movement, feeling the music, and letting it flow freely. I’ll be here to nurture their creativity and help them dance fearlessly, without worrying about judgment.
Now, for the teens, it’ll be a mix of groove and grit. We’ll dance to the beat while I share the secrets of not buckling under pressure and chasing dreams even when they seem impossible. It’ll be about building resilience and rocking it on the dance floor. Trust me, I wish someone had told me that when I was their age.
And for the adults, well, it’ll be more than just dance, it’ll be a journey. Our dance sessions will be a chance to release frustrations, talk openly about struggles, and leave with a renewed sense of confidence. Dance is not about perfection—it’s about celebrating the joy of movement and finding strength in every step.
I dance through the space, imagining the laughter of children, the determination of teens, and the newfound confidence of adults.
And hey, thinking of dreams—I can’t wait to give Dillan a few dance lessons. I don’t even know if he can dance, but I’m determined to find out. If he dances the way he moves in bed, it’ll be sexy as hell. Either way, it’s bound to be a memorable experience.
Lighter than I’ve felt in years, I twirl around the space a final time before heading for the door.
Two special men are eagerly awaiting my return.