“Damn, Hicks,” Falco said. “What are you going to do?”
“I’m thinking of a change of scenery,” I said. “I’ve been thinking about New Orleans.”
“The Big Easy, huh,” he said. “Cool town. Lots of eligible men, there.”
“I’m not thinking about men right now, Falco.”
He smiled at me, mischievously, “Tell that shit to someone who doesn’t know you, Hicks. When you aren’t actually fucking men, you’re thinking about men.”
I blushed, placing my hand over my eyes, “Ok, guilty.”
“So, what’s new on the men front?” he asked.
“My story has yet to be written,” I said, “but I have high hopes. I’m in a good place, though.”
“Good.”
“Why are you turning off at this exit?” I continued.
“Because we have to get your dress for the wedding,” he replied.
“Yeah, that’s tomorrow, right?”
“Yep, thanks for coming.”
“I wouldn’t miss it. I think it’s romantic that you are giving Irina a real wedding,” I said. “I saw the venue online. Looks like it’s going to be quite the spectacle—live music, great food, great wine. Well done, Falco.”
“Yeah, now that we have new friends, I wanted to give Irina a real nice wedding. Plus, we want to renew our vows. Would you like to see the wedding band?”
“Hell yeah,” I said.
He reached into his pocket and pulled it out, handing it to me. I opened the case.
“Holy shit, Falco!” I exclaimed. “How can you afford this? Have you been fucking rich old ladies on the side for cash?”
He chuckled, “Hardly. Irina didn’t want anything so extravagant but I insisted. I’m on an easy payment plan.”
I shook my head, studying the ring. It was simply gorgeous.
“I’ll warn you Falco, I’m going to look like shit in a pink bridesmaid’s dress.”
“Fortunately for you, you won’t be wearing pink,” he said.
My face flushed with embarrassment, “Oh, Jesus, I’m sorry. I got the impression I was going to be a bridesmaid.”
“Nope,” he said. “She’s made new friends and made them her bridesmaids.”
I offered the ring back to him. He waved me off, “You hang on to it for me,” he said.
“Why?” I asked, “and if I’m not a bridesmaid why are we going someplace for a dress?”
“Because I’m wearing a black and purple tux,” Falco said. “My best man has to be wearing black and purple too. The dress you’ll be wearing is . . . black and purple.”
It took a second for it to sink in, “Are you saying . . .”
“I’m saying, it’s the best man’s job to hold the ring.”
I gasped, “I don’t know what to say, Falco. Are you sure you want me to be your best man, uh . . . er . . . woman?”
“We may be a thousand miles apart, but as far as I’m concerned, you’ll always be my partner.”
“Damn, Falco, you’re gonna make me cry,” I said, dabbing at my eyes. “Any other surprises?”
He smiled, “Well, Irina’s three months pregnant. We’re having a son. Does that qualify as a surprise?”
I slapped his shoulder again, “Holy shit. Get the fuck outta here. You’re going to be a father?”
“Right?”
“That poor little bastard.”
He chuckled again, “Luckily, Irina can still fit in her dress. I narrowly avoided a disaster.”
“I’m happy for you, Falco,” I continued. “All kidding aside, I think you’re going to make a great father.”
“Thank you,” he said. “Oh, there’s one last thing.”
“Jesus, Falco, cut a girl a break, will ya? I don’t think my heart can take any more.”
“Ok, never mind,” he said. “It wasn’t important anyway.”
He then glared at me, his eyes lit up, begging me to ask him to continue. I rolled my eyes and played along.
“Ok, I’ll bite,” I told him. “What is it?”
He reached over his visor and pulled a folded sheet of paper from it. He handed it to me.
“What’s this?” I asked.
“It’s a positions description for a police officer on the Santa Fe Police Department,” Falco said. “As it turns out, my current partner has just been promoted to detective. We have an opening.”
“Are you shitting me?” I said. “Me? In Santa Fe?”
“Why not?” he said. “The weather’s great, we have a whole slew of art galleries on Canyon Road, we’ve got bullfighting in the Plaza . . .”
“Everything a single girl needs, huh?” I chuckled. “You’ve been planning this for a while, haven’t you?”
He shrugged and smiled.
“How did you know I was thinking of moving?” I continued.
“How do you think?”
“Nico . . .” I said. “Nico’s been talking to you.”
“He has. Hey, Hicks, I’m serious,” he said. “Things are fucked for you in Nashville. You don’t know anyone in New Orleans. I’ve told them about you—they’re interested. You want a new start. I’m here, now. And besides . . .”
“Besides what?” I asked.
“Irina and I thought it would be nice if our son’s godmother was living close by.”
I tried to fight it, but I couldn’t help it. Tears began to stream down my cheeks.
“A godmother, me?” I repeated.
Falco nodded, “We’d love for you to be involved in our son’s life—in all our lives.”
I chuckled.
“What’s so funny?” he asked.
“I was just thinking . . . about you as a father and me being a godmother to the same kid,” I replied.
“I know . . . right?”
I nodded, “God help us all.”
Other books by Jesse Jacobson:
Elle James’s Brotherhood Protector Series:
STEELE RANGER
https://www.amazon.com/Brotherhood-Protectors-Novella-Romance-Adventure-ebook/dp/B07451ZWT8
GUARDIAN RANGER
https://www.amazon.com/Brotherhood-Protectors-GUARDIAN-RANGERS-Novella-ebook/dp/B078XMB3PY
RAINHORSE
https://www.amazon.com/Brotherhood-Protectors-RAINHORSE-Kindle-Worlds-ebook/dp/B07BY89JKG
Susan Stroker’s Special Forces: Operation Alpha Series
PROTECTING HONOR
https://www.amazon.com/Special-Forces-Operation-Protecting-Saunders-ebook
FIGHTING FOR HONOR
https://www.amazon.com/Special-Forces-Operation-Fighting-Novella-ebook/dp/B071JG95NN
DEFENDING HONOR
https://www.amazon.com/Special-Forces-Operation-DEFENDING-Novella-ebook/dp/B0797H4F9B
Happily Ever Alpha: Until Falco (Kindle Worlds Novella) Page 14
