Chapter 13 #2
“No…” Cash tripped over his words. “No, not at all.”
“I’m Sable, by the way.” The woman stepped forward and released Clover’s hand to extend it to him. “I’m new in town.”
“My name’s Cash.” He shook it, the exchange so simple yet so profound.
She’d come back in her true form. She hadn’t run, but what’s more, she’d broken into the museum to return the egg, saving his job.
She didn’t need to explain her intentions.
She wanted to start fresh and begin again.
The only question was, should he let her back into his life?
“Well, it was lovely to meet you. Maybe I’ll see you guys around?
” Sable stared at him with both hope and acceptance.
She wished to be welcome in their lives, but her expression told him she would respect his decision.
He’d experienced so many emotions with her over the past twenty-four hours.
Her love confession. Her betrayals. Her help to save Clover.
Her stealing and then un-stealing the egg.
It had been a roller-coaster, but she’d sworn to prove her devotion.
She’d rescued his son. She’d returned the egg when she could’ve sold it to the highest bidder.
They were soulmates. Even Clover sensed it.
“Yeah, perhaps I’ll see you around,” Cash said, and his soul felt lighter at her smile. “I work here,” he added. “So if you enjoy museums, we’ll run into each other.”
“I do like museums.” Her smile grew, and Cash didn’t miss how Clover’s grin was seconds away from eclipsing the sun. “I live close by too, so I’m sure I’ll see you soon. Anyway, I don’t want to hold you up. It was so nice to meet you both. Have a good day.”
“Thanks, you too.” Cash smiled at her little wave, and he captured Clover’s hand as they watched Sable walk toward the exit, her adorable ears bouncing with every step she took.
Clover cleared his throat and tugged on his arm, jerking Cash out of his trance. He looked down at his son in confusion, and the boy stared at him with a pointed glare. Cash shook his head, but Clover raised his eyebrows, and Cash felt like a kid being admonished by a parent.
“Actually, wait.” He jogged after Sable because his boy was right. There was a tugging in his chest. She was the one, his other half. He’d been so angry with her, but seeing the egg back in the exhibit changed everything. She’d done what she promised. She’d proved her love.
“We’re going to get donuts and then go to a ball game,” he said. “Would you like to come?”
Sable leaned sideways and stared behind him. Cash followed her line of sight to find Clover nodding vigorously.
“I would love to,” she said. “I’m starving.”
“Perfect.” Cash extended his hand, and she slid her fingers through his.
Peace filled his soul at her touch, and her smile was the most magical vision in the world.
They were starting over. They would go slow and get to know the true versions of each other, but Cash had no doubt in his mind.
Sable was his future, and he wasn’t letting her go.
“Clover, come on.” Cash extended his other hand to his son, but the boy sauntered over and grabbed Sable’s instead. Cash rolled his eyes at the kid, but he had to agree with him. Holding Sable’s hand promised everything would be all right.
“Are we ready?” Cash asked.
“Yes, sir.” Sable winked.
“Donuts!” Clover cheered, and together, they left the museum to find donuts and a baseball game.
“Run! Run! Run!” Clover jumped up and down so vigorously that his half-eaten hotdog flew out of its bun and smacked Sable right in the chest, staining her pastel purple top a bright yellow from the mustard, but she didn’t seem to notice as the trio cheered for the player racing around the bases.
The game had been neck and neck the entire evening, but it was the bottom of the ninth, and this home run would secure the win for the home team.
Both Cash and Clover vibrated with excitement, and while Cash had no idea if Sable was a baseball fan, she certainly was as enthusiastic as father and son.
“Faster!” Clover shouted at the field. They’d scored three tickets to a minor league game, and the bases had been loaded when the batter knocked the ball almost out of the park.
This grand slam would give the boy the perfect ending to the perfect day, and Cash couldn’t stop himself from chanting alongside his son.
Spending the entire afternoon with Sable had almost erased the previous twenty-four hours.
It was hard to remember his disappointment with her when she made everything safe and joyous.
They’d started with donuts, ended up at the park to feed the ducks, and then walked to the stadium where they then filled up on peanuts, hotdogs, and beer—for the adults only, of course.
Clover was currently vibrating from a soda sugar high, and it was showing in how excitedly he was cheering.
“Oh my god!” Clover screamed as the batter slid to home plate a second before the outfielder returned the ball. He was safe. The home team had won, and his son was ecstatic.
“Dad! They won! Oh my god, this was the best game ever!” Clover threw himself so hard against Cash that he almost fell backward into his seat. “Thank you for bringing me here. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”
“You are most welcome.” Cash returned his son’s hug and smirked at Sable over his head, finally noticing the giant yellow splatter across her chest.
“Oh no,” he teased. “You’ve been hit. Medic!”
“What?” Sable glanced down at her shirt, clasped her palms over the stain, and then collapsed to the stands. “No! I’m too young.” She grabbed Clover’s hands as she died dramatically. “Tell my parents I love them!”
“Death by hotdog.” Cash ruffled his son’s hair. “Maybe next time you should be more careful where you throw your dinner.”
“Sorry, Sable,” Clover giggled.
“Oh look, I’m alive.” She popped up and seized the kid, tickling him until he squealed.
“Seems like an apology was the magic cure.” She kissed his head as she stood up.
“It’s okay, though. I was just as excited.
I think I splashed beer all over my shoes.
” She extended her foot for Cash to see, and he smirked at her little show.
She was a mess. Beer and mustard and peanut shell dust. It was the perfect combination to make him fall head over heels.
“Yeah, you are filthy,” he said. “I’m not letting you in my car like that. Guess you’ll have to walk home.” He started down the stairs, but a second later, a feminine laugh hit his ears an instant before Sable landed on his back.
“Nice try,” she giggled as she wrapped her legs around his waist, and it was instinct to grab her knees to give her a piggyback out of the stadium. “Now you have mustard on your shirt, too. Guess we’re all walking.”
“Yeah, let’s walk!” Clover shouted as he jogged in circles around them, and for a second, Cash considered it. The boy needed to burn off all that sugar, otherwise he’d be awake all night. “Oh, and can I get another hotdog? Sable ruined mine with her shirt.”
“Sable did?” Cash chuckled. “I guess she should buy this round, then. What do you think? Can you get us three more hotdogs?”
“I don’t know,” she teased. “I’m kind of broke now. I decided to go to a ballgame with some guy instead of winning lots and lots of zeros.”
“You have a point there,” he said, and checking that Clover was both still in sight and too far to hear, he twisted to find Sable’s chin resting on his shoulder. “I’ll buy these hotdogs under one condition.”
“What’s that?”
“You kiss me.”
Sable stilled for a moment, and then she slowly lifted her fingers to his jaw.
She guided his lips to hers, and with soft movements, she pressed her mouth against his.
This kiss was slow and innocent. There were too many people around—his son included—to enjoy anything more, but the way her lips fit perfectly against his, the way his heart thundered at her barest touch, felt like life being born in his chest.