3

I walked into the apartment and glanced around silently. I didn’t hear any noise inside so I gently closed the door behind me and locked it. I glanced around at the open floor plan apartment. To the right was a futon in front of a TV hanging on the wall. Beyond that were vertical blinds with a sliding glass door behind it leading out to the small, concrete patio.

To the left was a small dining room with a circular table with two chairs. Behind that was a cozy, white and wood kitchen. I walked over to the table as my eyes studied the vase of red roses upon it. My fingers traced over the flowers before picking up the piece of paper on the table. It was a handwritten note in Ace messy handwriting.

Stella-

I’m sorry I blatantly failed you again. I have more remorse than I could ever write you about, baby. I know I hurt you, and the fact you were almost seriously injured killed me inside. I’m begging for your forgiveness.

I screwed up, and I want to fix this. I have to work until six, but I’d like to pick you up and take my gorgeous woman out to a nice dinner, because that’s what she deserves. Please go with me.

Love,

Ace

PS … stay sour, not sweet baby

My heart lightened slightly at the note and the ending with our inside joke. My eyes wandered down to the table and the corners of my lips tugged upwards as I looked at my favorite snack, Rice Krispie treats. Beside them was a bag of Sour Patch Kids. My mind wandered back to a couple years ago when I was only a sixteen-year-old girl snacking on them.

“Why do you love those so much?” Ace asked as he skipped a rock across the pond beneath the glistening sun.

I smiled at him as I sat on the green grass and popped another Sour Patch Kid into my mouth. My face squinted at the sourness. “Because I’ll never stay sweet. I’ll always stay sour.”

He chuckled as he picked up another rock and skipped it across the pond again. “That’s what I love about you.”

I smiled as I swallowed and popped another one in my mouth. My entire face scrunched as my eyes watered. “This one’s really sour.”

Ace laugher rung in my ears as his loving brown eyes danced upon me. “Never stop making that face. It’s perfection.”

I burst into laughter as I threw one of the candies at him. He picked it up, throwing it into the lake. “Now a fish can be sour with you.”

“I’d rather you be, “ I retorted.

He smirked as he turned his handsome face to me. “I’m whatever you are, baby.”

I blinked rapidly, dispelling the memory as I dropped the note back onto the table and grabbed the candy. I opened the bag as I walked down the hallway off the living space. To the left was a spare bedroom and the guest bathroom. I turned to the right toward the master suite. It was nothing special, just a bedroom large enough for our queen bed and a small dresser. Attached was a private bathroom.

I wandered into the room as I grabbed the first candy and popped it into my mouth. My face scrunched at the sourness as I tried to think. Did I want to go to dinner with Ace? Did I want to forgive him? I loved him so much, and I knew this wasn’t him. Not the real Ace that I had fallen in love with years ago. He was the kindest, most loving man I had ever known. I had given him everything: my body, my mind, my heart. He was just having a hard time. I needed to be there for him. I could get him through this. I had an obligation to help him as he had helped me.

I sighed as I tossed another one of the sour candies into my mouth and my eyes began to water. I fervently chewed on the candy as I got up with my decision made. I headed into the shower to prepare for my impending date.

Dressed in my best black dress, I sat impatiently on the futon in the living room. My hair was up in a cute little up do with only a few strands left to hang down around my while my face was done-up with make-up and my brightest red lipstick.

I crossed my legs, my foot bouncing as I waited for Ace to get home. My phone dinged and I pulled it from my purse, hoping it wasn’t a cancelation message from Ace. I had already gotten all ready. I looked at a message from an unfamiliar number. My eyes narrowed as I opened the message.

Hey! It’s your hero, aka Alaric. Here’s the address for the boxing match.

My heart gave the tiniest flicker as my eyes went over his name. Another message quickly came through.

Isn’t it customary for a damsel in distress to give her knight-in-shining armor a kiss in gratitude?

I shook my head, but I absentmindedly chewed on my lip, imagining his lips upon mine, my fingers sliding into that thick, wavy hair. I blinked rapidly and brought myself back to reality. I had a boyfriend, this was ridiculous. Why did this man have such an effect on me?

I knew I shouldn’t, yet somehow I found myself typing a message back. You’re in the wrong century. This is the 21st century.

I only had to wait a minute for a message back. My bad. How about a kiss for winning my match?

I thought a second before replying. I had to shut this down. I never said I was coming.

His response back was quick. Not yet, but you will.

My jaw dropped as I let out a light chuckle. I needed to get my mind out of the gutter about this guy because I read that text so wrong.

The door to our apartment opened and I quickly put my phone down guiltily and looked up. Ace walked in with another dozen roses in his hands. His black hair was gelled up and back perfectly. His brown eyes were clear and white. He wore black trousers, a deep blue, button up shirt and a black suit jacket. Relief spread across his face as his eyes fell upon me and a smile pulled at his lips.

“You’re here,” he whispered softly as he swiftly walked over to me.

I stood up, straightening my dress with my fingers. “I am.”

He wrapped his arms around me as he whispered in my ear. “I’m so sorry, Stella. I love you more than anything on this earth. Please forgive me, baby. It was just the drugs, I swear.”

“I know,” I replied honestly because I knew, deep down, Ace was the most amazing man I had ever met. He was kind and charming and would do anything for me. He had proved that not long ago. He had went to extreme measures to help me, and I would never forget that. Now he was the one needing help, and I was determined to be the one who saved him.

A slight smile spread across his face as he put his elbow out to me. “Shall we?”

I smiled back at him as I slipped my fingers into the crook of his arm. “We shall.”

“What will it be?” Ace asked as he perused over the menu. “Anything you want, okay?” His eyes lifted from the menu to me in the upscale restaurant.

“You really don’t have to do this,” I explained softly as my eyes widened at the prices.

He chuckled lightly. “I want to. You deserve the best, baby. I want to be the man who gives it to you.”

A waiter arrived, taking our orders and bringing us drinks. I sipped on my water as my eyes wandered around the restaurant and all the patrons dressed in their best attire.

“Did you … “ he trailed off as his fingers traced over the deep red table cloth on the table. “Did you talk to the police about the fire?”

My eyes narrowed slightly as the tiniest flame of anger ignited from his abandonment in the fire that nearly took my life. “They came to the hospital and asked me questions.”

“What did you tell them?” he quickly asked.

I shrugged my shoulders. “I just told them I was at a friend’s and woke up to the fire.”

He let out an audible sigh as he leaned back in his chair. “ “ Jaxon wanted to know what you said.”

I pressed my lips together. Jaxon was the owner and founder of Blue Hades, an illegally ran brothel on the outskirts of town. It operated as a legal strip club and bar, but behind the private doors was the brothel. Jaxon was also running drugs from his business, something that Ace had recently gotten involved in to make extra money. He always thought we needed more, that I deserved more. It was as though, in his brain, if he didn’t provide me with a certain lifestyle, I would leave. No matter how hard I tried, I never could seem to make him understand my love didn’t have a price tag.

“What if I had told them something?” I asked as I studied him. “What if you had to choose between me or Jaxon?”

Ace smirked slightly though I could see the fear flicker across his face. “I would be with you, baby. You know that.” He reached across the table and took my hand into his, this thumb gently rubbing the top of my hand. “I’m always on your side”.

I smiled lightly at him,his words soothing my indecision and unease. I was being ridiculous. Of course he was on my side. He was always in my side.

His eyebrows rose as he lowered his face slightly, his eyes dancing over me. “Haven’t I proven that to you yet?”

I blew out a breath as I squeezed his hand. “Yes. Of course. I’m sorry.”

He smiled as he winked at me. “I’ll prove it to you again and again. I won’t ever stop. You’re worth that to me.”

My body warmed at his declaration as our hands broke apart as a waiter arrived with our food.

“ I love you Stella”.

“I love you too”