Page 170 of Titus

“Is this the weekend we weren’t watching the grandchildren?” he said, playing along.

I took another lick of my delicious ice cream. “No,” I answered. “Remember? They were going to our daughter’s in-laws’ house this weekend.”

Titus quietly laughed as he continued eating his ice cream. “So we have a daughter then?”

“We have two, actually…”

“Two?” His eyebrows shot up. “Why isn’t our other daughter bringing her children over while the rebellious one kisses her in-laws’ ass?”

“Because,” I continued, having fun with our banter and enjoying the hell out of my ice cream, “Jasmine married an only child. His parents are extremely possessive of him and the grandchildren.”

Titus stopped eating his ice cream and looked over at me, “Jasmine?”

“Jasmine,” I repeated my made-up name.

“If that’s the name you love, then I understand why you chose it. What I don’t understand is why we raised our daughter to be pushed around by selfish in-laws who steal our grandchildren from us on a Sunday afternoon?”

“She’s in love with Henry, and doesn’t need her in-laws making her life hell.” I laughed at the next name I made up.

“Our daughter married a man named Henry?”

I nodded, trying to remain steadfast on that name.

“What age is he? Ninety? Surely Jasmine is not a… how do you call it? Sugar baby?”

I laughed into my ice cream. “Surely not. Henry is twenty-nine. He was named after his father. And his father before him.”

“Henry the Eighth, is it? He and his parents are already annoying me,” Titus said, shaking his head. “One thing is certain, mi amor… we most definitely have quite a future ahead of us.” He kissed my lips. “Damn, that strawberry tastes delicious. Or maybe it’s just your kiss.”

“Try it,” I said, leaning the cone toward him.

He offered me his, and the chocolate tasted as though they’d melted the finest Belgian chocolate bar into the mixture and made an ice cream from it.

“We’ve got to remember this place,” I said.

“I’ve got to purchase this place,” Titus laughed. “Create a franchise out of it and bring these delicacies to our area.”

“For once, I won’t argue with you about your business acumen.”

We finished our ice cream, and then we walked hand in hand back to the car. Once inside, Titus had us back on the road, heading up the coast.

It was so nice being here, out of the city, watching the endless line of beach towns give way to rolling hills, towering oak trees, and winding roads that felt hidden from the rest of California.

I had no idea where we were headed, and I honestly loved that he wanted to surprise me with the destination. All of this was quite a treat, not just because I was with him, but because it was nice not to be shuttled by helicopters or chauffeurs… It was just him and me.

I rested my elbow on the door of the car and looked around. “Where exactly are we?”

“You’ll see.”

Titus smiled, looking down the road, which narrowed beneath a canopy of ancient trees. Sunlight filtered through the branches overhead, painting shifting patterns across the hood of the Jaguar.

Then he slowed, and my attention immediately shifted. The entrance appeared almost unexpectedly.

It was a simple stone wall, partially hidden beneath ivy. An understated sign. A winding private drive disappearing into a landscape that looked more like a countryside estate than anywhere I’d expect to find in California.

“This is it?” I asked.

“This is it.”