“Don’t worry. Pip’s a good girl. It’ll turn out okay.”

I loved my son.

I smiled. “You’re right. It will. But mothers worry.”

He smiled back. “Well, you can stop worrying about that.”

Very, very much loved my son.

“Okay, I’ll leave you to your music.”

“Right, Mom. ’Night.”

“’Night, kiddo.”

I gave him another smile before I went out the door, closed it behind me and walked back to my room.

Feeling better about all that, only then did I settle into my daybed to read and wait for Mickey’s call.

* * * * *

My body jolted as my cell rang.

I sat up, my book crashing to the floor, and snatched the phone up.

“Hey,” I said into it.

“Hey back,” Mickey replied. “Almost on our street.”

“Okay, honey, I’ll be over at your place. Quick kiss then you can hit the sack.”

“See you there.”

We rang off and I stared a little guiltily at the fire I’d left burning and fell asleep in front of (though, who would have imagined I could ever fall asleep waiting for Mickey coming back after fighting a fire). I shut off the gas, waited for the flame to die out then slid my feet into my slippers that looked like they were made of sweater material, with sequins on the knit and a fluffy trim of fake fur. They were warm but they also had a plastic sole with traction.

Then I took off, dashing down the hall and out the front door.

I slowed my step as I made my way down the walk.

I speeded it up as I saw the lights of Mickey’s SUV coming down the street.

I darted in a half-jog, half-walk up Mickey’s drive, doing this following his SUV.

I slowed again as he got out of his truck but only because I was nearly upon him.

I didn’t wait for him to close the car door before I threw myself in his arms.

As mine closed around him, his wrapped tight around me and I could feel his breath stirring the hair on top of my head.

“Fuck, you smell good,” he murmured.

“Took a bath before bed to relax,” I replied to his chest.

“Mm…”

I felt his sound through my cheek and it vibrated deep in my belly.

We held on a while and when Mickey stated gently, “I’m good, Amy,” I tipped my head back to catch his eyes.

“Yeah,” I whispered.

He cupped my jaw with a hand. “You worried.”

“I was terrified out of my mind,” I told him the absolute truth but did it in a quip and then delighted in his chuckle.

He thought I was joking.

And he would think that, forever.

I would never lie to Mickey about anything else.