The Gritty Truth

by Melissa Foster

  “He’s a lucky and very special young man,” Elisa said.

  “He’s got you swooning over those lunches and dinners, doesn’t he?” Angela teased.

  Quincy had brought enough food for all of them on the days when Angela and/or Elisa were working through their meals. He’d gotten to know both of them better, and Roni was touched that he made such efforts with the people who were important to her.

  Elisa pushed to her feet and said, “He has me swooning over the way he treats Roni. Everything else he says and does comes second to that.”

  “Hear, hear,” Angela said.

  Elisa said, “Has Mr. Wonderful told you where he’s taking you on your date tonight?”

  “Not yet, but I’ve never seen him this excited or this mysterious.” About two weeks ago, Quincy had told her he had a surprise for her, that she should dress nicely and prepare to be wowed. Didn’t he know that he wowed her every day with his thoughtfulness and unending support and love for her and everyone else in his life? They’d taken Kennedy and Lincoln out last weekend to a do-it-yourself craft shop, where the kids had made Christmas gifts for Truman and Gemma, and they’d all had a blast. Quincy had made Roni a dancer out of clay, and she’d made him a heart-shaped ornament for their tree with RONI LOVES QUINCY painted in it. With Quincy’s help, Kennedy had then made one that said KENNEDY LOVES RONI + QUINCY. Lincoln would have no part of being left out, so they’d made another that said LINCOLN LOVES BOOFUL + INCY.

  “I can’t wait to hear all the details,” Elisa said. “I love a good surprise.”

  “And I want to hear all the details you can’t tell Elisa,” Angela said with a wink.

  As they walked out of the room to close up for the night, Elisa said, “You girls think I’m too old to enjoy a good time. Just you wait and see what you’re capable of at my age.” She hugged them both and went into her office.

  “She’s hilarious…and right,” Angela said. “I know I’ll still be all over Joey until the day I die.”

  “Me too. Quincy, not Joey.” She glanced at the clock, wondering how Quincy’s meeting with Simone was going. He’d gone with her to see the apartment she was moving into after the holidays. The restraining order had come through last week, and Roni had seen the relief on his face when he’d gotten the news, and he’d gone to see Simone that night to make sure she knew not to let her guard down.

  “Did you decide what you’re wearing tonight?” Angela asked. “Please tell me you’re going with the over-the-knee boots.”

  “I am, but not because you call them eff-me boots. I’m wearing them because they go with my black long-sleeved dress with the jagged bottom.”

  “You’re wearing your body-hugging eff-me dress with the flouncy, easy-action skirt, and you won’t admit to your boots being eff-me boots?”

  Roni swatted her arm and whispered, “Shh. That’s not why I’m wearing the dress. I’m wearing it because I know he’ll love me in it.”

  “Almost as much as he loves effing you in it.” Angela laughed and bumped Roni’s shoulder with hers. “I love making you blush.”

  “So does he.” She looked down the hall at the door that led to her apartment, but it felt like she hadn’t lived there in months. They’d stayed at Quincy’s place every night since they’d put up the tree, with the exception of Wednesdays when she’d stayed late to dance, and he’d come over after his NA meetings. “I better go. I have to shower and get ready.”

  “Why are you looking at that door? You practically live at his place.”

  A thrill darted through her every time Angela teased her about that. “I know, and I love it.” She flashed a cheesy grin and said, “My black dress and non-eff-me boots are at my place. I’ll see you tomorrow and let you know what the big surprise was.”

  As Roni headed down the hall, Angela said, “Don’t forget to wax all your naughty bits.”

  Roni shook her head, laughing as she headed up to her apartment, glad she’d already taken care of that.

  LATER THAT EVENING, Quincy walked into her apartment wearing a dark suit and crisp white button-down, with his hair slicked back and a sinful look simmering in his eyes as he drank her in. “Christ, baby, you take my breath away.”

  She could do little more than stare at him. He was that striking.

  “Cat got your tongue?” He reached for her, pressing his lips to hers. “Maybe this will help.” He lifted his other hand and opened a clear container. In it was the most gorgeous wrist corsage she’d ever seen, with tiny blush-pink and white roses, a hint of green leaves, baby’s breath, and a blush-pink ribbon. “You missed out on your prom and other dances, so I assumed you’d never been given a corsage.” A lump lodged in her throat as he placed it on her wrist and said, “And now the first and only corsage I’ve ever given is to the first and only girl I’ve ever loved.”

  She threw her arms around him, tears slipping down her cheeks, and said, “Thank you. It’s beautiful. You’re beautiful.” She drew back, wiping her eyes, loving what he’d said even more than the corsage.

  “How about we go with manly, handsome, or studly?”

  She laughed. “You’re all those things, but you literally stole my ability to speak when you walked in the door. You’re always great-looking, don’t get me wrong, but in that suit, you look like you belong on a billboard or a movie screen, and the fact that you wore it for me makes me feel so special.”

  “You’re the most special person in my life. I’m glad you like it. I bought it for Jed and Josie’s wedding, and I wanted tonight to be a night you’d never forget.”

  She could hardly believe that Christmas and the wedding were only nine days away. “There’s already no way I’ll ever forget tonight.”

  “We’re just getting started, and you look incredible, baby. How many more sexy outfits do you have hidden away?”

  “A few,” she said. “Which reminds me, I need to grab my bag from the bedroom. We’re staying at your place, right?”

  “Unless you prefer staying here,” he said, following her down the hall.

  “This doesn’t even feel like home anymore. It feels like a stopover.”

  He pulled her closer and said, “Then let’s make it official. Move in with me, baby. I love you and you love me, and we’re together every night anyway. Let’s make my place our place.”

  Goose bumps chased over her skin. “Really?”

  “It’s what I’ve wanted for weeks. When we’re apart, something inside me feels unsettled. But at the end of the day, when one of us walks through that door and into the other’s arms, everything feels right again. I almost asked you the night we got our tree, but I didn’t want to rush you.”

  “Rush me, Quincy, because in my head I’m already there.” Happiness bubbled up inside her. “I guess we’d better bring my bookcase, huh?”

  He lifted her off her feet, twirling her around as they kissed. As he set her down, he said, “You just made me the happiest guy on earth. We’ll bring your bookcase and everything else. We’ll start moving tomorrow after work, and I’ll finish up while you’re at Josie’s party Sunday afternoon. I’ll get Tru and the guys to help.”

  He picked up her bag and draped an arm around her. As they headed down the hall, she said, “They might have plans.”

  “Then I’ll move you in myself. I’m not giving you time to change your mind.”

  “Like that would ever happen. You’re stuck with me, buddy. And I’m paying half the rent.”

  He scoffed. “Like hell you are.”

  She put her hand on her hip and said, “Rent is nonnegotiable. If you want me to move in, then you have to accept my terms.”

  “You drive a hard bargain. Fine. I’ll put my half into buying you things.”

  She gave him a disapproving look.

  “Love you.” He kissed her and helped her on with her coat.

  As they headed down to his truck, she asked, “How did it go with Simone? Did you like the place she’s moving into?”

  “I
t was fine. I don’t like her in that area, but I stopped by the bar on my way back and talked to Diesel. He assured me that they’d continue watching out for her. She hasn’t run into any more trouble, but her ex is a real prick. He might be waiting for her to get out from under the protection of the Dark Knights. Hopefully by then she can find a place in Peaceful Harbor or head to Redemption Ranch.”

  “I’d be terrified if I were her. I read online that the person you take a restraining order out against is notified when it comes through. If he’s as awful as he seems, he’s probably not done trying to get her to use drugs again.”

  Quincy helped her into the truck, looking at her like she’d hung the moon, and said, “I guess it shouldn’t surprise me that you read up on restraining orders, given the way you’ve read everything you can get your hands on about recovery. Simone said she feels more protected now than ever before. She’s playing it off like she’s more afraid he’ll come after the Dark Knights instead of her.”

  Panic rose in Roni’s chest. “Will he? What about you? Are you in danger because you’re her sponsor?”

  “No, babe. I told you that, and there’s no way in hell he’d go after the club, either. Simone is doing what she has to in order to stay strong enough to make it from one day to the next. She’s trying to make herself feel safer. It’s a natural coping mechanism. That’s why I’m checking on her more often, to make sure she doesn’t backslide. Which reminds me, we made plans to meet at the shelter Sunday early afternoon.”

  She breathed a little easier. “I’m glad you’re checking on Simone. I worry about her. I don’t know how you can see the people at the meetings and not want to keep tabs on all of them.”

  “It’s not a matter of not wanting to. They have to want to stay clean more than they want drugs. I’m not their savior. I’m there to give hope, to make sure the discussions move smoothly, and provide an environment conducive to recovery. To Simone, I’m a mentor, the person on the other end of her rope who’s there to listen, to impart what I’ve learned through NA, and to help her find her way. I’m here for her, but the only person who can save Simone is Simone.” He smiled and said, “Now, my sweet, sexy love, it’s time for your surprise.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  QUINCY WAS SO damn happy with their decision for Roni to move in, it almost quelled his nervousness about the surprise he had in store for her after dinner.

  The streets of Peaceful Harbor were decorated for the holidays, with twinkling lights along the main drag. When he pulled into the parking lot of Dimitri’s, a cozy Mediterranean restaurant overlooking the harbor, Roni’s jaw dropped, her eyes glittering with awe. The restaurant was built to look like a Mediterranean home, with stucco walls, a clay-barrel roof, arched openings surrounding a patio with wrought-iron railings, and a double-arched entrance, which was lined with festive lights.

  “Quincy, we can’t afford this place.”

  He parked, so damned happy she said we. “Tonight’s a special night and we can afford it. We went months texting and not going on a single date. I have a nest egg of date money with your name on it. I may not earn six figures, but I make enough to treat you to an occasional spectacular night. And one day, when I’m done with school, we’ll make enough so we can rent a little house with a yard for our puppy and bedrooms for our future babies, and I’ll be able to take you to fancy places more often.”

  Love rose in her eyes. “I don’t need fancy, Quincy. I only need you.”

  “I know, but I want this for you, babe. You may not remember, but before we started going out, I had asked you over text if you could go to one restaurant in our area, which would it be, and you said—”

  “Dimitri’s,” she said softly. “I don’t know what to say. I’ve never been anywhere this fancy.”

  “You don’t have to say a word. Your eyes have always told me what you’re thinking, and I love you, too.” He kissed her and went to help her out of the truck.

  They headed into the dimly lit, intimate restaurant. There were only about twenty tables, with candles in the center. White lights surrounded the windows overlooking the harbor. Moonlight danced along the surface of the inky water.

  Quincy helped Roni off with her coat, and she whispered, “Everyone is dressed to the nines. Do I look okay? Why am I so nervous?”

  “Maybe because you know you’re the most beautiful woman in here and all the others are jealous.” They hung up their coats in the coat room and, out of view from the hostess, he pulled her into his arms, kissing her passionately until she went soft against him. Then he brushed his lips over hers and said, “Better?”

  She sighed. “Much.”

  They were seated by a window, just as Quincy had requested when he’d made the reservation. The view of the water was beautiful, but nothing compared to the view across the table of the girl who had stolen his heart and showed him what living a full life was really about. They shared appetizers of roasted tomatoes and sage and Halloumi-roasted broccoli with caramelized leeks. Roni couldn’t stop raving about the food and the atmosphere. He was glad he’d chosen well. He’d learned a lot about her over the past several weeks, like the way she played with the ends of her hair when she was concentrating and how her feet and arms moved when she was thinking through a dance routine, even if she was sitting down. She liked to lie in bed in the mornings and let the day drift in, reveling in the peacefulness because she’d spent so many years afraid to hear what was outside her window. He’d learned about her eating habits, too, like the fact that she loved pasta and bread, though she preferred whole wheat to white, and she preferred fruits and vegetables over protein. She and Quincy were frugal eaters, having grown up on shoestring budgets, but they liked to experiment when they cooked together, which often led to them messing around or making love and then eating one of Roni’s secret indulgences—pizza or tacos. He’d also noticed that she wasn’t big on sweets unless they made them, like the pies and cookies they’d made. He’d never paid so much attention to everything about a person before, and with Roni, it wasn’t like he even tried. He just adored everything about her and noticed it all.

  They talked over dinner, sharing chicken with artichokes and olives and herb lamb cutlets with roasted vegetables.

  “If you really want to start moving tomorrow evening, then I should start packing tonight or tomorrow morning,” she said.

  “We’ll figure it out, babe. We can stay at your place tonight and pack for a few hours if you want.”

  “How about if we pack, then go back to your place for the night, although I know I’m going to be too excited to sleep.”

  “Yay for me,” he said with a raise of his brows.

  “Where will we put my furniture? I have to tell Elisa and Angela.” She lowered her voice, leaning forward, and said, “Oh, Quincy, I’m so happy!”

  He moved his chair closer and took her hand. “Me too, babe. We’ll put some of your furniture in the second bedroom or put yours in the living room and mine in the bedroom. Whatever you want.”

  “I don’t know. I wouldn’t care if we had no furniture.”

  They nuzzled and kissed and finished their meals, sharing balsamic berries with honey yogurt for dessert. By the time they left, they were both stuffed.

  When they got to the truck, Roni put her arms around his neck and said, “Thank you for such an amazing night. You have officially wowed me.”

  “We’re not done yet.”

  Her eyes widened. “We’re not?”

  “Nope. I have one more surprise for you.” He helped her into the truck and went around to the driver’s seat, hoping with everything he had that she would like what he had in store for her.

  She must have asked him five times where they were headed as he made his way through town, but he just squeezed her hand, letting her wonder.

  When he pulled down the road that led to their destination, she said, “Are we going to the Harlequin Playhouse?”

  “Sure are.”

  “That’s where w
e hold our showcases. I danced here when I was young, but they don’t have productions Thursday nights.”

  “This is a special show.”

  “What are we seeing?” she asked excitedly.

  “It’s a surprise.” He parked in the near-empty lot.

  As he helped her out of the truck, she asked, “Are we early?”

  “Maybe a little.”

  Quincy loved the way her face lit up as they entered the luxurious lobby, with deep-red carpet, dark-wood walls, and fancy chandeliers. A door to their right opened, and Raya Singh, the manager of the playhouse, walked toward them in a fitted blue dress. She had olive skin, straight black hair, and high cheekbones and reminded Quincy of Elisa, only younger. He’d met with Raya several times to arrange the surprise for Roni.

  “Quincy, Roni, it’s so nice to see you.” She embraced Quincy. Smiling warmly at Roni’s curious expression, she said, “You have quite a thoughtful boyfriend.”

  As Raya embraced her, Roni looked over her shoulder at Quincy and said, “Have you been scheming with Raya?”

  “You’ll see,” Quincy said.

  Raya lowered her voice conspiratorially and said, “He’s very good at scheming. Let me take your coats, and then you can go into the theater and make yourselves comfortable.”

  “Thank you, Raya,” Quincy said, helping Roni off with her coat and handing them to Raya.

  “Your corsage is beautiful,” Raya said.

  “Thank you.” She took Quincy’s hand and said, “It’s the first one I’ve ever been given.”

  “That makes tonight an even more memorable evening. I hope you enjoy the show.”

  They headed into the empty theater, and as they made their way toward the front, Roni said, “I’m so nervous. What have you done?”