“I’ve got this,” Julian says, picking up the check before Jennie can touch it. And before my friends can utter a word of protest, he hands two one-hundred-dollar bills to the waiter, saying, “Keep the change.”

“Oh, thank you,” Jennie says as the ecstatic-looking waiter hurries away. “You didn’t have to do that. You just had a bite of the cheesecake, not any of the food.”

“Please let us pay you for our portion,” Leah says stiffly, reaching for her wallet, but Julian waves her off.

“Please, don’t worry. It’s the least I can do for Nora’s friends.” Rising to his feet, he extends his palm toward me. “Ready, baby?”

“Yes,” I say, placing my hand in his. My few hours of freedom are over, but somehow I don’t mind. As exciting as the day had been, it feels comforting to be claimed by Julian again.

To be back where I belong.

20

Julian

“Why did you come to meet me?” Nora asks as we get into the car after saying goodbye to her friends. “Were you afraid I might run away?”

“You wouldn’t have gotten far if you tried.” Turning to face her, I run my fingers through her hair. It’s a bit shorter at the front, but still long and even silkier than usual.

“I wasn’t going to run.” Nora frowns up at me. “I don’t want to run away from you. Not anymore.”

“I know that, my pet.” I force myself to stop touching her hair before I develop a fetish. “I wouldn’t have brought you to America otherwise.”

“So why did you come get me? I would’ve been home in an hour anyway.”

I shrug, not wanting to admit how much I missed her. My addiction is completely out of control. No matter what I’m doing, I’m constantly thinking about her. Even a few hours apart are intolerable these days, as ridiculous as that may be.

“Okay, well, I’m glad Leah didn’t freak out too much,” Nora says when I remain silent. “I thought she’d run or call the police when you first showed up.” She looks down, then glances up. “If you hadn’t mentioned the big news, things would’ve been very awkward.”

“Really?” I say silkily. “Maybe I should’ve told them the really big news.” It was what I’d originally intended—to ask if Nora had already told them about the baby—but the horrified expression on her face gave away the truth before any of her friends could speak.

Nora reaches for my hand, her slender fingers curving around my palm. “I’m glad you didn’t.” She gives my hand a gentle squeeze. “Thank you for that.”

“Why didn’t you tell them?” I ask, placing my other palm over her small hand. “They’re your friends—I would’ve expected you to share such things with them.”

“I’m going to tell them.” She looks uncomfortable. “Just not yet.”

“Are you afraid they’ll judge you?” I frown at her, trying to understand. “We’re married. This is only natural. You know that, right?”