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* * *
I glanced at myself in the floor-length, red dress. It hugged my curves in all the right places and showed off just enough cleavage to excite my husband. It had been years since I had gotten all dressed up, styled my hair, and applied a heavy, smoky eye. Now, I was standing in front of the mirror, criticizing every detail of myself.
Amber and Ryan were watching the kids tonight so Ace and I could go on a date like the kids we used to be.
“Are you ready, princess?” Ace called from the bedroom, but I was too busy staring back at my reflection to answer. He strode into the bathroom, and I glanced up, seeing him in the mirror. He was devilishly handsome in a pair of jeans and a button-up shirt that was tight across his broad shoulders. He was still so strong from years at the gym and hard work. “Aren’t you just the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever laid eyes on,” he murmured.
He took slow, calculated steps in my direction until he was right behind me, and his hand rested on my hip, his fingers dug into my flesh. The other hand snaked around my waist, and he pulled me flush against his hard body.
“I don’t know, Ace. It’s been so long since I got all dressed up like this. I’m a mom now. I can’t be running around town like I used to.” I glanced at him in the mirror, but his eyes were still taking me in, traveling up my body slowly. His heated gaze eventually met mine.
“You look absolutely ravishing. We can stay in if you really want?” He raised his brow suggestively. I couldn’t help it – I giggled.
“Let’s go before all my hard work is for nothing.” I smiled because even with time and the additional weight I had picked up from having kids and growing older, he still looked at me the same way he did when I was twenty years old.
At the fancy restaurant in the heart of Orlando, we were surrounded by tourists – a melting pot of culture in one dimly lit room. People talked in hushed whispers about their days, dreams, and hopes. It was utterly romantic.
Ace held my hand in the middle of the table while he read the menu. I was too busy watching all the life happening around us. “I love it here,” I said eventually, looking at him.
“Your parents told me about this place actually. Apparently, they come here often.” He set the menu down and took both of my hands in his.
“I didn’t mean the restaurant, Ace. I meant Orlando. Look how happy everyone has been since we got here. There hasn’t been any thought of the impending doom at home – only smiles and laughter.” He nodded in understanding.
“It’s always been like that here.”
* * *
We had a few days left here before we had to leave and go back to all the hell waiting at home. I was busy preparing a cheese board for me and Amber to share with some wine. Ace was setting up the PlayStation for him and Ryan to play some games. The kids were upstairs making forts for their sleepover.
I had suggested the idea to Amber yesterday while everyone was out on the boat, and we stayed back with the little ones and puppies. She had jumped at it. She was bringing the wine, and Ryan was bringing the beer. I had popcorn waiting to be popped on the stove for the kids and a few movies selected for their movie night.
The doorbell echoed in the house, and Roxie started barking and running for the door. Tucker’s yelps of excitement could be heard through the thick, wooden door.
Ryan opened the door, and I heard Amber enter the house, yelling at Tuck for barking so loudly. She was struggling the most with him. “Don’t you bark at your sister, little man. It’s rude!” Ryan laughed, and the kids ran in, greeting Roxie first before darting up the stairs.
Amber came into the kitchen and leaned her hip against one of the marble counters. She was holding two bottles of cab, a tired expression taking over her face. “I need a drink. The kids are driving me insane.” I laughed and pulled out two wine glasses from the cabinet.
“Pour away, girl. I made us a cheese board.”
She poured us each a big glass, and we took the cheeseboard to the lounge where the men were setting up for their first game of Call of Duty.
Near midnight, Amber and I couldn’t form a coherent sentence. We hiccupped in between words and laughed a lot.
“We’re gonna put the kids to bed. You two okay by yourselves?” Ryan glanced between me and Ames before shrugging.
“We’re fiiiiiine,” Amber slurred, winking at her husband. He looked over his shoulder at Ace who was chuckling.
“Let’s sort the kids out first and then worry about the two drunk adults.” He laughed again and shook his head.
“Did he just call us drunk?” I asked Ames, my vision blurry. I reach for my wine glass and drained the last sip.
“I heard something about adults.” She giggled. “Do you want another glass?” I nodded, and she swayed into the kitchen to grab the bottle from the fridge. She came back, almost falling flat on her face, and I burst out into laughter.
She was so funny.
“I’ve got the munchies,” she admitted, her green eyes unfocused as she sipped her glass. Ryan and Ace were coming down the stairs, looking at us in amusement.
“Babe, you can’t get the munchies from wine. Celine, did you give my wife weed?” Ryan laughed, sitting next to Amber who immediately leaned against him.
