“Fabulous. So I want to see you once a week, maybe every Monday, for the next three months. How does that sound?”

He nodded. “Good. I’ll be here.”

“Awesome. I’ll have my receptionist get a schedule made for you,” she said, standing and holding her hand out to him as he stood. “If at any moment you feel you aren’t handling things, we will revisit a different treatment plan.”

“I think I’m good. I like what we’ve done. Or you’ve done.”

She smiled. “Good, but remember I’m here for you.”

“I understand that, and thank you.”

“Of course. It was wonderful to meet you, and I’m excited to watch you grow.”

“Thank you, it was great meeting you,” he said, taking her hand and shaking it. After making his next appointments, he walked out of the Assassins’ offices feeling good. Great, even. He hadn’t realized how much he needed to talk to someone who didn’t love him or care about him already. Everyone else babied him, but Dr. Lemiere was honest and gave him a plan. A plan he was going to crush.

With Mekena by his side.

As he pushed open the door, he had his phone in his hand to call Mekena, hoping she would be done with her meeting since he wanted to tell her everything Dr. Lemiere had said. He hit her name and his phone started to dial, but when he looked up, he found her in front of him, a few feet away on her phone, typing away like crazy. She looked gorgeous, like always. Wearing a tight dark blue shirt that hugged her breasts and fastened at her wrists, she’d paired it with a high-waisted floral skirt that flared out at her knees and a pair of ankle boots. Her hair was blowing in the October breeze, and she wore thick black glasses that were low on her nose as she continued to type. That was, until she saw the call from him.

Her face lit up as a grin covered her pretty lips, and she answered.

“Hey, you. I was just texting you. Wasn’t sure if you were out yet.”

“Oh, yeah? Where are you?”

“Standing outside the Assassins’ offices. I just got done with my meeting with Elli.”

His lips curved as he tucked his hand in his pocket and walked toward her, drinking in his beautiful girlfriend. “How’d it go?”

“Great! I got the job, and she’s paying me way more than I made in Florida! It’s working out. We’re going to be together.”

His face broke into a bigger grin as he hung up and then wrapped his arms around her, kissing her neck as she shrieked, almost smacking him until she realized who he was. “Markus! You scared me shitless!”

He laughed as she turned in his arms, kissing him hard on the lips. Losing himself in the kiss, he closed his eyes as he held her, their mouths moving together while his heart thudded in his chest. He wanted this so badly, and everything was coming together. The stars were aligning, and damn it, he would make her happy. He’d loved her more than he loved anything else, and they would be happy.

Together.

She grinned up at him as he cupped her face. “I’m so proud of you.”

She beamed. “Thanks. I was so nervous, and when she showed me the offer sheet, my jaw dropped. Your sugar momma will be bringing home the sugar!”

He laughed. “Good, you can buy me lunch,” he teased, and she giggled as she cuddled up in his arms, kissing his jaw. “I’m hungry and poor.”

She laughed hard as she rolled her eyes. “Yes, you poor, hungry man. Then we can go look at those apartments in the Gulch. Elli gave me her Realtor’s number, and they’ve already got a list for us. We’re meeting her at three.”

Leaning his head into hers, he smiled. She had everything together; she had a plan. In a way, he was dwelling on his plan, which he hadn’t expected. Shaking his head, he knew he wouldn’t ruin this moment for her with his worries about moving forward. Clearing his throat, he said, “Sounds amazing. Where do you want to go?”

As he started to walk, she paused, pressing her hand to his chest. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” he answered, trying to move ahead, but she stopped him once more.

“No, something is wrong. Shit! I didn’t ask about therapy. I’m sorry. I was excited. Was it okay? Are you okay? Do you want me to cancel the Realtor?”

He laughed, shaking his head. Taking her face in his hands, he kissed her lips before pulling back. “No, babe, don’t cancel. I’m excited. Just lots of pressure and lots on my mind. Gotta make the team.”

She waved him off. “That’s a done deal. You’ve got that. Are you okay? Did it go okay?”

He nodded. “Yeah, fine. I feel really good. I’ve got a plan.”

“A plan?”

“Yeah, why don’t we talk about this over lunch?”

“’Cause I want to talk now, I’m worried now.”

He let out a breath. He hadn’t wanted to do it now, but Dr. Lemiere had said he had to be honest. He cleared his throat. “Okay, yeah, I’ve got a plan to move forward. Dr. Lemiere doesn’t think I have fully recovered.”

“Oh, well, I wouldn’t think you would have. It was very traumatic.”

“Yeah.” He could see it in her eyes. She thought his lack of a full recovery was bad. He guessed it wasn’t all that great. “But I am, I will. I just have to get over some stuff and move forward. I have to be confident in us. I’m always worried about hurting you, and she said I can’t do that. That I have to love you and trust you love me.”

“I do.”

“I know—”

“And don’t worry about me. I’ve got this. I may be small, but I’m strong.”

“I know, babe, I just don’t want to hurt you.”

“I know, and I don’t want to hurt you. I think we’re both walking on eggshells about some things.”

“We are.”

“And that needs to change.”

“It does.”

“So we’ll change it. We’ll work through this.”

“That’s my plan.”

“Our plan,” she reiterated, and he smiled. “As long as we’re together.”

“Exactly.”

“We can do anything.”

“Yup. Like forgive her.”

Her eyes widened as she looked away, her face twisting in disbelief. “Yeah, sure.”