Billie got up, feeling transformed. Saying the words out loud seemed to free her. She felt as light as a feather and buzzed around the bedroom. She quickly dressed but took a minute to admire the view of Quentin asleep in her bed. The covers had slid down, revealing his upper body, and his legs were tangled in the other part.

He looked so peaceful and happy. Like he was in the middle of dreaming some wonderful dream. Billie smiled at him and went to the kitchen to make him breakfast.

Quentin awoke to the glorious smell of bacon, home fries, and eggs. His stomach growled from the scent. He got dressed and joined Billie in the other room. The moment his eyes met hers, her declaration sprung to his mind, and his smile widened.

"Someone is in a good mood this morning," Billie said as Quentin came over and grabbed her around the waist, kissing her neck.

"And why shouldn't I be? I get to sleep every night with the most beautiful and sexiest woman in my arms, only to wake up and find she's made me breakfast. It's impossible not to be happy." 

Billie took the food she plated over to the table. Quentin followed her with their coffees.

"Really? I could think of a way to make things better," Billie said with mischief playing in her smile.

"You really are determined to show no mercy, aren't you?" Knowing, Billie took every chance she got to remind him they could be having sex when they haven't.

Billie's smile grew, crinkling her eyes as she shrugged. "Can I help it if it's true?"

Quentin shook his head at her. He took a forkful of home fries and was pleased to discover Billie was a good cook. Starving, he devoured his food.

Billie still couldn't stop the giggly sensations being with Quentin made her feel. It was like drinking her first glass of champagne or closing a deal that would reward the company at work. Her stomach fluttered as his eyes met hers.

"I was going to take Isabelle riding today. Her daycare is closed. They have to do some repairs to the bathrooms. Would you like to tag along?"

"Of course, what time?"

"Around noon?"

"Will you be going to the office then?"

"Yes, but just for a little while."

"Perfect. I have an errand I would like to run myself. So, I'll meet you there."

"No, meet me here. I'll have to come back to change."

"Okay," Quentin agreed.

They finished their meal and Quentin offered to clean up. Billie gave him a kiss before heading out the door, promising to see him again soon.

Billie arrived at her office to discover her father sitting there waiting for her.

"Dad! What are you doing here so early?"

Her father was frowning at her. "Is it true you were out with Donavan yesterday?"

Billie rolled her eyes; she should have realized the news would get back to him. Her father had spies everywhere in this office.

"He just dropped by to give me something."

"You had lunch with him," her father said with an accusatory tone.

"Yes, but I had to thank him somehow for giving me this." Billie reached over and handed her Father the book Donavan had given her.

Her father's eyes widened. "Where did he find..."

"A book store in the Village."

"Do you have any idea how rare this book is? There were only 500 copies released since she was only a debut author and had not gained popularity yet. This book was written before we were married."

"Was it before you both met?" Billie asked curiously.

"No, in fact, this book is about how we first met," Mr. Dupree revealed as he lovingly ran his hand over the cover. "I've been trying to track down a copy, but every time one pops up, it's taken by someone else before I'm given the chance."

Billie watched the play of emotions that crossed her father's features. He appeared overwhelmed to be reunited with this book again. Billie sat down next to him. Her father tried to hand the book back to her, but Billie instead pushed it back towards him.

"You should keep it," she told him, as much as owning that book meant to her, she knew it meant infinitely more to her father.

"But your collection?" Mr. Harrison said, but with a hopeful expression.

"Can wait a bit longer to be complete," Billie told him. "I want you to have it."

Mr. Harrison hugged his daughter. "Thank you, my only regret is that I owe my happiness to Donavan."

Billie laughed. "He's not all bad, you know, Dad."

Billie's father scrunched up his face like he was pretty certain Donavan had zero redeemable qualities, but he didn't argue with her.

"Thank you," Mr. Harrison said, hugging the book to his chest.

"You're welcome."

"So, you and Donavan?"

"There is no me and Donavan, Dad? I bumped into him looking for Quentin, and we had coffee. Then he met me here yesterday to give me the book. I've explained that... well that I'm seeing someone else."

"Oh really?" Her father said with enthusiasm.

"Would you stop?" Billie said, smiling as she gave her dad's shoulder a play shove with her own.

"So, this someone else?" her father prodded.

"Is Quentin. Yes, Dad. He and I are..." Billie bit her lips before admitting, "living together."

"Living together!" Mr. Harrison leaped up from the couch and stared at his daughter. "I told you to fix things with the boy, not move in with him."

"I know, but I want to see if this can be something... real."

"As opposed to?" her father wondered out loud.

"As opposed to fake, a complete and utter lie fabricated to make everyone else happy."

"And why would finding out that my daughter has chosen to live in sin, make me happy?"

"Living in sin, Dad? Really?"

Her father did not back down. "People are supposed to wed. I know that's old-fashioned thinking on my part, but where is the commitment?"

"That's just it, Dad. I want to find out that question before we "commit" ourselves to one another. Yes, waiting until marriage would be ideal, but so is not getting divorced because I made the wrong choice."

Billie's father sighed. "That's not how you get to know someone. These things take time."

"Really? How long was it before you and mom ..."

"That's not the point!" her father declared. "Your mother and I knew from the first moments we were destined to be with one another. Nothing could keep us apart. We were soul mates," Mr. Harrison defended.

"Uh, huh. Perhaps I should take that book back and read the real story of what happened between you two."

Mr. Dupree clutched the book with an iron grip. There was no way she would be able to take it from him.

"Billie be reasonable. Quentin has many admirable qualities."

Billie's eyes narrowed on her father.

"Okay, I've done some digging. I'm your father, sue me."

"I should, you're worth billions," Billie teased.

"He doesn't get along with his father. I see this as a bonus. He runs several charities, most involving medicine and children. He's started foundations to help families with seriously ill kids find resources to pay for their care. He's a good man, Billie. Nothing like his father."

For some reason, Billie felt relieved to have her father's approval. "That's good because I think I'm in love with him."

"Think?" her father questioned with one eyebrow raised.

"Okay, I am in love with him. He's amazing, Dad. He makes me feel... whole again."

"Oh, sweetheart!" Mr. Dupree hugged his daughter. "I'm so happy for you. I've prayed for this day to come. I have to admit it's a little unorthodox how it came about, but the Lord does work in mysterious ways."

"So, you don't think I'm making a mistake?" Billie asked.

"The only mistake you could make is not listening to your heart," Mr. Dupree told her.

"I listened to it when I was in love with Donavan and look where that got me," Billie said, concerned.

"No, you knew the truth long before that relationship ended. You just didn't want to let go. And it made sense, Billie. You had lost so much already, but holding on to Donavan was holding on to the hope of love where there wasn't any."

"I guess you're right. I did fear losing him, but after he left it was a relief as I didn't have to worry about continually disappointing him somehow," Billie admitted.

"You should never be concerned with that. No one is perfect, but when you truly love, it becomes hard to find fault in the other person. Love will see you through."

Billie smiled at her father, and he kissed her cheek. "I wish you every happiness, my love."

"Thanks, Dad."

"Anytime, sweetheart. Thank you again for the book," he said, still not relinquishing his hold on it as he strode over to her door.

"You have what it takes to make this work if it's what you really want."

Billie nodded as her father left her office. She sat down and started working on her project. Soon, she and Quentin would be together again. The thought of seeing him brought immense joy to her heart.