Page 80 of Deadly Forever

Mandy nodded. “Gladly. What else from you?”

“I would never throw the chair,” James said. “That night we got in the fight about you going to work after you were almost shot and I freaked out and threw the chair at the wall … I saw your face, baby. For a second, well, you were afraid of me. I would definitely take that back.”

“I’ve never been afraid of you. I wasn’t afraid that night either. I was surprised and angry, but I wasn’t afraid.”

“You can say that all you want, but I don’t believe it’s true,” James said. “It will never happen again, though.”

“Okay.” Mandy kissed his chin. “I guess that’s fair.”

“I also wouldn’t let you walk into that courthouse alone the day you resigned,” James said. “I blame myself. I was right there when Clint took you.”

“You couldn’t have known.”

“It doesn’t matter,” James said. “I told you I wouldn’t dwell on it any longer and I meant it, but I’m still angry I let it happen.”

“Is that it?” Mandy asked. “Are those the only things you would take back?”

“Take back? Yes. Regret? No. I regret a lot of things, but I wouldn’t take them back because I think they made us stronger as a couple. You have to weather some storms to embrace the sunshine. You, my baby, are my eternal sunshine.”

Mandy’s heart lodged in her throat as she blinked back tears. “I … .”

“Don’t you dare cry,” James warned. “This is your prom. It’s a happy time.”

“I would take back one more thing,” Mandy said, collecting herself. “I would take back every moment I wondered if you would ever lose interest or leave me. I know now that you never will.”

The corners of James’ mouth tipped up. “Do you really?”

“I do,” Mandy said. “Only a man truly in love would throw a prom like this even though he hates dancing.”

“I love dancing with you,” James clarified. “Those perfect moments you talk about? I’ve had a few while dancing with you.”

“Me, too,” Mandy said. “I’ve also had a few while playing with you, like when you dressed up in adult Underoos just so we could be Justice League heroes.”

James grinned. “You’re making me feel warm and tingly, baby.”

“You make me feel unbelievably happy.”

James pressed a soft kiss to Mandy’s mouth, lingering there for a long moment and letting the noise and giggles of the other prom guests fade away. “Me, too. How about we dance for a little bit and then head to our bedroom to finish out the prom in spectacular fashion?”

Mandy’s expression shifted from earnest to mischievous. “What about everyone else?”

“Oh, I’m locking the door,” James said. “Family time is fine and all, but this is a night to spend with my wife. They can do whatever they want as long as they leave us alone.”

“That sounds like a plan.”

“That sounds like our forever, baby,” James said. “It’s here. We made it. Let’s enjoy it.”