In the aftermath of her twin sister's tragic death, Reagan Sinclair finds herself in a never-ending battle against paralyzing panic attacks and drowning in grief. Desperate to just survive each day, Reagan's world is turned upside down when Paris un...
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PARIS
THE FAMILIAR WEB OF New York City lights filters through the small window as the plane touches down and taxied towards the gate. Exhaustion seeps into every part of my body thanks to the long flight home. I get my things when everyone begins to file out of the plane, with restless anticipation settling in my chest. It feels good being back here in New York, that is to say; the moment I see Reagan, I'm handcuffing her to my side and never letting her go. I've missed her the way fire misses fuel or a storm would miss the rain.
When I walk out of the terminal, Benny is leaning against his car holding a familiar sign in his hands, and much like the last time, he helps me put my suitcases in the trunk of his car. There's a sense of déjà vu, only this time he won't be taking me back to RayWhite. The ride back to my place is a blur of streetlights and the hum of the engine, and I lean back against my seat and close my eyes. I need some Tylenol for my headache, a warm shower, and then an hour or two worshipping my girlfriend's pussy. Exactly in that order. I've gone too long without my early morning fix, and I crave the taste of her the way an addict craves meth. Any longer and I'll start trembling and pulling my hair out.
Stephanie is sitting on my sofa, dressed in a fancy white dress and cuddling my godson in her arms when I walk into my apartment. “Welcome home,” She says, standing up and giving Wilder to me. I gently take him from her, and my fatigue is momentarily forgotten in the presence of my Godson gurgling contently in my hands. He looks exactly like Everett but has Stephanie's eyes.
“You going out? I didn't think I'd be babysitting so soon,” I say, and there's a mischievous twinkle in her eyes as she answers me.
“Yeah, I'm going to the Lumina Gallery. They took some of Reagan's pieces,” she says, folding her arms across her chest as she waits for my reaction. The immediate sense of pride I feel washes away the very last of my fatigue.
“Yeah?”
“Yup,”
“That's amazing,”
“It is. Are you coming? Everyone is already there,” there is nothing more I want than to change my clothes and go support my girl, but I won't show my face if she's not ready to see me yet. She has to be ready because the moment I lay my eyes on Reagan Sinclair, I'm taking her and never giving her back. Stephie places a hand on my arm and there's a soft look on her face.
“Stop overthinking it, we've been keeping in touch and I know she'd want you to be there,” she says, softly and with that, my decision is made. I gently give Wilder back to her and get changed while she waits outside for me with a silly smile on her face. I overhear her telling Wilder that soon enough, Uncle Paris is going to get him a little niece or nephew to play with. Not for a few years yet, but here's to hoping.
