Chapter 25
Emmalyn pulled into Havoc’s driveway, got out of the car and grabbed her purse. She made her way up the driveway and onto the porch like she owned the place.
“Emmalyn? What are you doing here?” Havoc asked, standing in the door watching her.
“I came to talk to you,” she said.
“About?”
“Your mate, my sister.”
“She’s not interested,” Havoc said.
“Yes, she is. You’re giving up too soon. Sit down.”
Havoc scowled at her, but he walked over to the living room, planning to sit down and at least hear her out.
“No, not there. Here,” she said, pulling out a chair at the kitchen table.
Havoc walked back into the kitchen and sat down as she upended her purse and a pair of scissors and hair clippers with several different adjustable guards fell out.
Havoc’s eyebrows rose and he looked at her.
“Hear me out. The whole problem with the two of you is that you should have not met until now. You’d have gotten all your wild crap out alone and found each other afterward, not before and during. Can we agree on that?”
“Yes,” Havoc said.
“Alright, then. We’re going to make you look like a whole different male. I’m cutting your hair; we’re going to shape and trim that beard you’ve had going for the last few days. You will be looking seriously sharp. You’re going to dress your ass up, take her some flowers, not from my mother’s garden, and take her out. Knock on the door and introduce yourself like it’s your first date, a blind date at that. Tell her all about you. And you’re going to start over as the male you are today, not the male you used to be.”
“Does she know what you’re doing?” Havoc asked.
“Nope. It’ll be a surprise.”
“What if she slams the door in my face.”
“She won’t.”
“What makes you think that?”
“She didn’t call her boss to reschedule her flight. She doesn’t want to leave. She’s just trying to find a reason to stay.”
“I’m right here!” Havoc insisted.
“She thinks it’s too late and too much water under the bridge.”
Havoc thought about it, and Analise was probably right. Too much time, and too much bullshit passed between them. “Harley is sleeping. I just got her settled not too long ago after everything that happened today,” Havoc said.
“Look, I know you’re afraid. She’s afraid, too. That’s part of the problem. I’ve got Harley. You go and you give it all you’ve got, and if she doesn’t respond the way I think she will, I’ll owe you.”
“Owe me what?”
“I don’t know. Haven’t thought that far ahead. But I’m telling you, if you want Analise, you have to do something. This sitting here glaring at each other across the past isn’t doing either of you any favors.”
“She makes sense,” Brandt said.
“Yes, she does,” Barron agreed.
Emmalyn’s head snapped up and her eyes focused on Barron.
“You want to talk later?” he asked sheepishly.
“Maybe. At the moment I’m trying to help my sister find the part of her she lost.”
“What part would that be?” Havoc asked.
“You!” Emmalyn snapped. “Now, are you in or not?”
Havoc looked at the hair clippers, he looked around the room at his friends and family, he looked up at Emmalyn who stood in front of him waiting for his answer. “I’d do anything to have Analise in my life.”
“Lucky for you, you have me. Sit still and don’t move,” she said, flipping on the clippers.
“Do you know what you’re doing?” Havoc asked.
“I got this. I watched a video online,” she quipped as she pressed the clippers to the back of his head and took off six inches of hair in the first swipe.
“Emmalyn!” Havoc exclaimed.
“I’m kidding, I’ve got it, I’ve got it. Sit still.”
“I’m running home to get you a suit,” Ronan said.
“A suit?” Havoc asked.
“All or nothing,” Ronan said.
“Yes, indeed,” Remi said. “I’m going to run home. I’ll be back with some roses.”
“Roses? Where’d you get roses?” Brandt asked.
“They were for someone else. I can get more tomorrow. Havoc needs them now.”
“We’re all in, Havoc, don’t let us down,” Emmalyn said as she continued shaving the back of his head.
~~~
Analise woke about 8:00 P.M. to find herself alone. She was a little disoriented, and sat for a second or two looking confusedly around the living room. A knock at the door startled her, causing her to jump a little. “Emmalyn?!” she called out. “Can you get that?”
Emmalyn didn’t reply, but whoever it was knocked again.
Rubbing her eyes and grumbling, Analise got up and went to the door. She peeked through the window, then blinked furiously before looking again. “Can’t be…” she whispered to herself, unlocking the door and pulling it open. Her mouth fell open when she realized, that yes, it could be, and it was. Havoc, a completely new Havoc, sporting a look she’d never seen, standing on her porch with a dozen red roses in his hand, smiling at her like she should know why he was there. His hair was cut in a very clean high and tight, with a slight swoop to the front. His thick auburn hair had just enough wave to hold the style perfectly in place. His beard had been shaved to no more than a five o’clock shadow and was lined perfectly to frame his jawline. He was wearing a black suit and tie with a crisp white shirt underneath. His crystal blue eyes were shining brightly as he stood before her, as unable to look away as she was.
“Hi? You ready?” he asked.
Analise looked at him, then looked behind herself before back at him. “What are you talking about?”
“Our date. Am I a little early? I knew it. I got the time wrong.”
“Havoc, what is going on here?”
“We’re going out to dinner? Oh, and these are for you,” he said, proudly handing her the dozen red roses he held.
Stunned, she slowly reached out and took the roses from him. “Thank you?” she asked.
“You’re welcome. I can wait out here while you change real quick.”
Analise looked down at her body, realized she was wearing panties and a sports bra.
“Um, yeah, okay. Where are we going?” she asked.
“Sushi! I love sushi, so I was hoping you do, too. If you don’t, though, we can go somewhere else.”
“Uh, no, sushi is fine.”
“Great! I’m really looking forward to the caterpillar roll. Have you tried those?”
“They’re one of my favorites,” she said, beginning to think she was in the twilight zone. “Are you sure we…”
“I know this is kind of unexpected, but we don’t really know each other that well, and I decided the only way to get to know each other is to spend a little time together. So, here I am.”
Analise took a moment to digest his comment, and while she did, she looked directly into his eyes and he let her. He let her see everything he was feeling, but first and foremost, he let her see the vulnerability he usually kept hidden. She’d never seen this side of Havoc, and decided that nothing else they’d tried so far had worked, so, why not this? “I just need a few seconds.”
“I’ll wait. Is it okay if I sit on the swing?”
“Sure. Just a few minutes, I’ll be right back.”
“Take your time,” Havoc said, walking over to take a seat on the swing as she closed the door and ran - literally - to her room to tear through her clothes to see what she had to wear. The minute she flipped on the light, she smiled and fought back tears when she saw that Emmalyn had laid out one of her own dresses, a metallic-gold off the shoulder, fitted bodice dress with a pair of golden pumps with spiked heels. “What are you up to, Emmalyn?” Analise asked, as she stripped out of her sports bra and panties before cleaning up quickly and putting on a fresh pair of panties and donning the dress Emmalyn had left out for her. She slipped her feet into the pumps and smiled in thanks that she and Emmalyn still wore the same size shoe. Let her hair out of its scrunchy and shook it out before catching just the front up in a half up and clipped it in place with a barrette. She pinked her cheeks with a bit of rouge, applied a quick coat of mascara, and a bit of lip gloss. She grabbed her little black purse and rushed out to the door. She took a second to compose herself and opened the door, stepping through just as she saw Havoc from the corner of her eye stand from the porch swing.
“Wow. You are so very beautiful,” Havoc said approaching her and offering her his arm to lead her down the steps.
“Thank you. You are just…” she turned to look at him as they walked to his truck, “I am stunned. Truly stunned.”
“Good stunned?” he asked.
“Good stunned,” she said. “You cut your hair.”
“Just a reminder of all the changes you can’t see. And if you like this, then prepare yourself; the night has only just begun.”
As they drove to the restaurant, he kept up a constant commentary telling her about himself as though they’d never met. “So, I can do just about anything needed on a job site. I’ve learned hands on, which is I’ve found, the best way for me personally to learn. I don’t date much. I have a six-year-old daughter that is my world, and I spend all my free time with her. I’ve lived in Missouri with my sister and brother-in-law since she was born, but I’m thinking it might be time to head back home. I miss my own generation, you know? My home, my place.”
“I do know. I get the same feelings often,” she said.
He glanced her way quickly so as not to take his eyes off the road, but to show her he was listening. “Do you? I had no idea you were feeling the call of home.”
“I’m not sure that I’ve ever really felt settled since I left home. Not that I’d have had time to be settled because I travel the world. Six months in one place, eight in another.”
“How did you find your career, was it your goal?” he asked.
“I’ve always loved history. And truthfully, I think part of the reason I went into history was because of me reaching for something to ground me. What has more roots than history?” she asked.
Havoc smiled. “I get that.”
“Anyway, I’ve always been very gifted at art as well, and found that I have a gift for restoration of antiquities. That coupled with my history degree landed me in a unique position to apply for the job of restorer at the museum where I work. After a while I started being invited to digs to help the archaeologists properly preserve the pieces they find until they could be returned to the museum where I could finally get the chance to properly restore them. So, lots of time in the field, lots of time in the lab restoring. Lots of history. Lots of alone time,” she said softly, realizing as she spoke just how much time she spent alone. “It’s very, very lonely. I don’t think I want to be alone so much anymore.”
“I’m sure you have men interested in you. You’re gorgeous, intelligent, interesting.”
“I tend to only allow those I cannot see myself with long term to even strike up a conversation. And that’s usually because they don’t want long term either, so it’s…”
“Safe,” he said.
Analise looked at him. “Safe,” she agreed.
“Here we are,” he said, pulling into the parking lot. “Place must be good, it’s packed and it’s 8:30!”
“I haven’t eaten here in years, but it used to be delicious.”
Havoc smiled, but his smile held a little sadness. “I’ve never eaten here. I wish with everything I have that I’d have given it a chance when it first opened.” He got out and walked quickly around the truck, opened the door and held her hand as she got out.
“Thank you,” she said.
“You’re welcome.” Havoc walked slowly, holding firmly to her hand as he escorted her to the restaurant, then inside. She heard him tell the host that they had reservations and they were escorted past everyone waiting and to a table that was already set for two. Almost the moment they were seated a waitress appeared and poured them both a cup of warm Saki.
The entire time they ate, they chatted like they’d never been on a date before. Analise was thoroughly enjoying herself. Tasting bits of Havoc’s sushi, and offering him samples of hers. Two hours later when they couldn’t eat another bite, Havoc finally paid their bill. He pulled out her chair and held her hand as she stood, then escorted her out to his truck.
“I really enjoyed dinner with you.”
“I did, too! I don’t want it to end,” she said happily.
Havoc grinned at her. “Would you like to go dancing?”
Her smile fell. “You dance?”
“Well, I wouldn’t call it dancing, but I’ll do my best not to step on your toes,” he admitted.
Analise laughed, and the sound touched him like almost nothing else ever would. “I’d love to go dancing.”
“Vince’s? He’s my uncle. I don’t think you knew that.”
“I wasn’t aware,” she teased. “I haven’t been there in so very long. I’d love to go.”
“Well, then that’s what we’ll do,” Havoc said, getting her settled in the truck before running around to start the engine and take them to Vince’s for dancing.
As they walked into Vince’s several of the employees looked up and greeted them. “Welcome to Vince’s! Are you here for dinner or dancing or both?” one of the waitresses asked.
“Just dancing,” Havoc called out.
“What can I get for you?” a familiar voice asked, from behind the bar.
Havoc grinned. “Uncle Vince.”
“How you doing, Havoc?” Vince asked.
“Hi, Uncle Vince,” Analise said, leaning close to the bar so Vince could kiss her cheek.
“Hello, baby. Y’all out for a night on the town?” Vince asked.
“It’s our first date,” Havoc said, grinning ear to ear.
Vince’s smile fell. “Seriously?”
“Seriously,” Havoc said. “And it’s honestly the best night I’ve ever had.”
“Oh, Havoc,” Analise said, laying her hand on his arm as she looked into his eyes.
“I mean it. I’m enjoying myself so very much.”
“What’ll you have to drink?” Vince asked.
“Rosé?” Analise asked.
“You got it,” Vince said. “And you, Havoc?”
“Bourbon and coke, hold the bourbon.”
Vince laughed. “You just want a soda?”
“Yep. Don’t want to miss a minute of it.”
“Soda it is.”
Vince got their drinks for them, but when he placed them on the bar top for them, they were already on the dance floor. A slow song was playing and Havoc held Analise in his arms like his life depended on it. Their bodies looked fitted together like puzzle pieces, and their cheeks rested against each other like they’d lived all of their lives physically connected to one another. Anyone who noticed them, envied them everything they obviously were to each other. When the song ended and the music got faster, Analise started to walk off the dance floor, but Havoc remained where he was, holding her hand in his, forcing her to come back.
He started dancing, shaking his hips and making silly facial expressions, and sending her into peals of laughter. Instead of being offended, he just fed into it, and before long she was dancing with him, the two of them actually playing on the dance floor. The sillier one would behave, the other would match it, until finally there was another slow song and he’d pull her into his arms and rest his forehead against hers, looking deeply into her eyes for the entire dance. Then when a fast one started, they’d start playing all over again. It went on for hours.
Analise was sitting on a barstool sipping her wine when Havoc asked if she was tired.
“A little, I guess, but if you want to go we can,” she replied.
“No, I just don’t want to keep you dancing if you’re tired. I don’t want this night to end, though. I’ve never had so much fun.”
“Same. I used to lie in bed and dream of nights like this.”
“I did, too. I’d lie beside my daughter when she was a tiny newborn and pray to the moon, the stars, anything I could think of to pray to, that one day, no matter how long it was, one day, I’d have the chance to finally be happy. To finally find my place in this world.”
“Isn’t your place with her, though?” Analise asked.
“Partially. But I can’t be the father she needs me to be if I don’t have the chance to grow into the man I need to be first. And without my other half I’ve never fully been sure of my place in the world.” He looked right at her, “I’ve never even known this side of me.”
“I like you! So much! I always knew I loved you, but I had no idea I like you.”
“You know, I’m surprised, but I like me, too.”
“I’m sorry you never got the chance to know this side of you,” Analise said.
“I’m sorry you never got the chance to know this side of me,” Havoc said.
“I hope this part of you won’t disappear,” she said.
“You are what makes me me. If we’re together, then, there I am,” he said.
She sat her wine glass down on the bar and looked around the place like she was searching for something.
“Are you ready to go?” he asked, thinking he’d ruined the night by referencing the past, albeit vaguely.
“Yes.”
Havoc nodded, and took some money out of his wallet, leaving it on the bar. He took her hand like he’d been doing all night and led her from the bar. The minute they were outside she hesitated.
Havoc looked down at her to see what she wanted.
“Can we go to the lake?”
“The lake?” he asked.
“Yes. The one everyone used to go to years ago.”
“I’m sure we can. I don’t know if the kids still go there or not, we might be the only ones there.”
“Good,” she said, walking along beside him, her hand in his as he led her to his truck again. It only took about ten minutes and the headlights of his truck proved he was right. The lake was quiet and still, no other vehicles there at all. “It’s quiet,” he said as he pulled closer to the lake and turned off his engine.
“Just as I was hoping,” she said as she leaned forward and took off first one shoe, then the other.
Havoc wasn’t sure what was happening, so he just watched, waiting to see what was next.
Analise turned her back to Havoc and lifted her long red curls. “Can you unzip me?”
“What?” he asked, his hands poised centimeters from her dress.
She turned and looked into his eyes. “I’ve never been skinny-dipping. I always wished I had the nerve to do it. And now, after a night of so many firsts, I think it’s time to try it.”
Slowly Havoc started grinning. He recognized this for exactly what it was. He’d done all the things tonight that he should have done for her years ago, and now she was doing things for him that she wished she’d done. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, but if we get arrested, you have to pay bail,” she said.
He unzipped her dress and watched as she slipped out of it and tossed her panties to the seat on top of her dress, then opened the door to his truck and ran naked toward the lake in the moonlight.
“Wait for me!” he called after her.