43. 🍸 Midnight Moon 2.0

**KEKE**

Justice doesn’t let me drive the Mustang this time. He asks me to close my eyes with a twinkle in his own. I do what he says, after placing my hand on his broad thigh.
I’ll miss this when I go, the intimacy of holding on to the person I feel safest in the world with.
My heart hammers out a painful ache. I can’t imagine how I’ll feel when I have to get on the plane tomorrow. I’ve packed plenty of tissues in my purse just in case.
We reach our destination rather quickly. I hear Justice get out of the car, walk around it and open my door. He laughs, making me smile. “I thought you would have your eyes open already.”
“You asked me to obey you,” I say in a submissive tone, lowering my eyes to the ground for the complete effect.
“That was only in the bedroom, but if you want to extend it further—”
I ignore his proffered hand, to punch him in the thigh. He hops back, laughing. When I exit the vehicle, closing the door with reverent care, Justice pulls me into his arms and there on the sidewalk, he kisses me. The gesture is so tender and sweet; my ache turns into a bittersweet jab.
We come up for air and he murmurs, “Let’s go, you bad girl.”
He tells me we are heading to what he tells me is Prospect Park. The bright moon, hanging low in the clear sky, guides our way. Leaves from the trees crunch under our feet. When we pass a bust of JFK, I pout because it’s too dark to take a picture.
Justice laughs, grabbing my hand and pulling me forward. A few yards further we come to a fountain. No water pours from it and I start to ask if he knows if the fountain is off or broken when the long toot of a taxicab drowns out my voice. Yelling from where the traffic stands at a light pierces the night.
What would New York be without drivers shouting at one another?
Passing the fountain, we walk a few steps... and then I see it, the color-splashed Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Arch.
This site was on my to-do list, along with a host of other places.
I didn’t get to see many of them.
And I wouldn’t change how I spent my time for the world.
Being with Justice and the guys is all I desired. What’s the joy in sight-seeing when those I love aren’t around me to share the experience?
As we walk closer to the massive structure that reminds me of similar arches in Europe, the colors get brighter. I catch my breath, amazed at the impressive sight.
“When you come back, we’ll go on a walking tour of the park and any other place you’d like to visit. Since you’ll be living here, I want you to get familiar with all the boroughs.” Justice turns to me, his eyes shining with happiness. “I’ve already started searching for a person to manage my businesses and after the weekend, I have some interviews scheduled with potential wait staff for Clancy’s. By the time you come back, I hope to have all my bases covered.”
“Hey,” I say, mildly affronted, “I like working at Clancy’s.”
His eyes glint with amusement. “Suuuure you do, Keke.”
“I’m serious, Justice. I like working with you. We make a good team.”
He looks at me a long moment. Something in his eyes shift, making those beautiful eyes wary. He opens his mouth. I never get to hear what he says as a horn honks, so loud and near, it startles us both. Next there is the sound of tires screeching and a loud BANG of metal on metal.
At the front of the arch, a delivery van has collided with a Land Rover. We jog to the site, trying to be of assistance.
And the moment of his would-be confession is lost.


The kids are fast asleep when we return home. The accident we witnessed was unfortunate as a last night memory. At least no one was hurt.
I hand my jacket to Justice and along with his, he hangs them up by the door. Like the first night I stayed in the apartment, I ask if he wants a cup of coffee.
He nods, giving me a grateful smile. When I turn from getting the grounds out of the cupboard, he’s there, planting his muscular arms on either side of the counter to cage me in. My heart races and my hand trembles.
Plucking the container from my hand, he sets it on the counter top. “Do you really think I want coffee, now?”
Under the lighting, the strong planes of his face are sharp with relief. His eyes drift from my eyes to my lips and back again. His gaze is so intense; it’s like staring at the sun.
And like a dieter eyeing a piece of chocolate, I would love to have a last night with Justice. I almost give into my desire... except I won’t defile Lilli’s house for a tryst with my boyfriend. It just feels wrong on so many levels.
Justice must see my hesitation as he says, “I’m not asking for sex, Keke. I just want to hold you... all night long.”
I nod, wanting nothing more than to fall asleep in his strong arms, safe from the world for a little while longer.

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I plan to finish the book by the first or second week of October. Thanks for reading!