“I think everyone can see my butt,” I complain.
Tazen, dressed in a tux and looking heavenly, smirks at me.
“If they are, they’re going to be able to die happy.”
“That’s not funny. You should have warned Retro that I don’t wear, well, Retro.”
Tazen bursts out laughing. “I thought she would get the whole charity dinner thing and realize it wasn’t time for short and tight. Not that I’m complaining.”
“You better donate some seriously good cash tonight or I’m going to pop a cap right in—”
“Tazen Watts!”
I’m cut off when a tall, elegant black man comes striding over. He stops in front of Tazen and me with a wide, beautiful grin.
“Hello, Jeremy,” Tazen says. “Good to see you.”
Jeremy takes Tazen’s hand and they shake. “You too, long time. How’s the building going?”
The two start jabbering about building and I stand, like the pretty sidekick and listen. When they’re done, we make our way over and enjoy dinner. I join in some conversation, but mostly Tazen speaks and I just smile. My lips begin shaking after a while, I’m doing that much of it. After dinner comes the charity donations’ recognition ceremony. Tazen and his company ended up donating one million to children’s hospitals around the state.
My heart melts.
When that’s done, Tazen leads me out onto the dance floor and takes me into his arms. It feels amazing being here with him, experiencing his world and seeing the side to him that makes me truly understand why I love him. Tazen Watts is a good, down to earth, kind and loving man. He’s what every man should be. He’s exactly what I need.
I look up into his eyes as we move across the dance floor and my heart expands with raw, unadulterated love.
“Are you enjoying yourself?” he asks, as we move.
“I’m having a great time. I love seeing how you live and work.”
He smiles, running his hand up and down my back. “It’s always a good experience to see a car being revealed and then being able to give back to the community through these functions.”
“You did a really great thing. Those hospitals could use some serious donations.”
“Nothing better than helping kids.”
I reach up, touching his cheek. “I think there’s a big softie in there, Tazen Watts.”
He grins. “Don’t tell anyone, it’ll ruin my reputation.”
I chuckle. “Your secret is safe with me.”
He reaches up, running his fingers through my straightened hair. “I’m glad I found you, Quinn. I’m sure whatever reason you were sent to me, it was a good one. Even if you did drive me up the wall.”
I laugh and lean in, kissing his lips.
“You have plenty more years of me doing just that. Better get used to it.”
His eyes twinkle with love, humor and admiration. “I plan on it, baby.”
I look forward to that.
EPILOGUE
I smile at my father who is sitting on a lounge chair across from me. He’s wearing a white tee and a pair of grey sweats. His hair is washed and has life back in it, and he no longer has dark rings under his eyes or sunken cheekbones. He looks healthier and resembles the man I remember. He’s been in rehab now for three months, and he’s doing really well.
“That’s wonderful, Quinn,” he says, as I tell him about rebuilding my new car.
“It’s been a long road. The girl that was driving it was a hard racer, but it’s finally starting to come back to life.”
“It’s nice when you see a car coming together. How’s Tazen?”
“He’s doing really well. He just signed a five-car contract for a major racing mogul. That’s going to keep us busy for a good long while.”
“That’s great. Is he thinking of moving into racing?”
He is. Tazen is making more money and expanding his career with the racing industry.
“Yes, it’s getting bigger by the day and he gets better contracts.”
“That’s great.”
“It is. How are you doing, Dad?”
He smiles. “Well. Some days are harder, but I’m finding it’s getting easier and easier to cope.”
“And how do you think you’ll do when you get out?”
His face loses its happiness and he stares at me. Really stares. There’s so much guilt and shame behind his eyes. I know he’s seeing the very best counselors and therapists, to help him through, but I also know he needs my forgiveness to truly heal. That’s why I’ve been visiting each week now, because I want him to know I forgive him.
“I won’t go back to it, Quinn. Every time I even think of having a drink, my stomach twists in pain over what I did to you. That memory will forever be linked to my drinking, so the very thought of it is gut wrenching.”
My eyes soften too, and I say in a gentle voice, “Dad, you were very sick and I don’t blame you for what you did. I know you have to work through that at your own pace, but I want you to know I forgive you. I love you and I’m so happy you made the choice to get better, because I know you did it for me.”
His eyes sparkle with tears. “I would do anything for you, Quinn. I’ll spend the rest of my life proving that.”
I beam. “I hope so, because I want you around for it.”
He smiles and I stand, rushing over and throwing myself into his arms. He holds onto me tightly, and we sit like that for a long time. When I pull back, he kisses my forehead. “I don’t say it enough, but I’m so incredibly proud of the woman you’ve become, Quinn.”
“And I’m proud of you.”
“I love you, Pixie girl.”
My heart explodes and I smile up at my father.
“I love you too, Dad.”
Things are finally coming together for good.
It’s about time.
Three Months Later
“Keep your eyes closed, Quinn,” Tazen orders, with his hands over my eyes.
“You know I hate surprises, Taz. Where are you taking me?”
He chuckles. “It’s a surprise, remember? If I tell you, I think that might just destroy that.”
“You’re probably right.” I laugh.
“Just keep walking forward.”
“Did you buy me a pony?”
He laughs. “A pony? Woman, don’t insult yourself.”
I giggle. “Okay, a truck?”
He chuckles. “That’s more like it, but no. I got you something much better.”
“It’s not my birthday.”
“No,” he says, his voice dipping low. “So can you imagine what you’ll get for that?”
My cheeks heat and I grind my ass against him as we walk.
“Enough of that,” he murmurs into my ear.
“Why? Will you get hard in front of the surprise?”
He nips my earlobe. “Too late for that.”
Oh boy.
“All right,” he says, making me stop. “Are you ready for this?”
“I don’t know.”
“You are.”
He takes his hands from my eyes and I blink to get my bearings. I see my old team, as well as Tazen’s guys, and my dad all standing around a covered car. My heart starts pounding as I stare at it. It couldn’t be … could it? Tazen surely hasn’t managed to finish my car without me. I mean sure, I’ve been so busy at work I haven’t even checked on it in his garage but …
“Quinn,” he says, turning to me. “I’ve been wanting to fix things for you since the day I bought this garage, but I have never been able to figure out a way to do that. I took something from you, and I wanted to give it back.”
“Tazen,” I say gently. “You didn’t take anything, you made it better.”
“Just let me finish,” he says softly.
I nod.
“You loved that garage for what it represented in your life. It was your mom, and your dad, and everything beautiful that you had left.”
Tears spring to my eyes.