Zelda was in denial about meeting Charles Strauss. She kept telling herself over and over again that there was nothing that he could do to take Eden from her. Eden was legally hers, and she decided that continuing with her plans for the evening would put things in perspective, sticking to the routine would make the problem disappear.

One of the many committees she was a part of was raising money for diabetes research, and it was the evening of their annual gala. Zelda had sent out the invitations as usual, and it was her job to man the check-in table. It was a job she enjoyed because it gave her a chance to see old friends one on one before the party started.

She had just promised to have lunch with an old friend, Patsy, and was laughing at something Patsy's husband had said when she noticed that Patsy's attention was caught by something behind Zelda. The woman appreciated whatever it was she was looking at, and Zelda smiled when Patsy whispered something about the joys of being single again in her ear before giving her a wave and melting into the crowd with her husband.

Zelda turned with a smile on her face to see Boone standing before her looking magnificent in back tie, and beside him was her brother. Of course, as major contributors, they would be at the party, but it still caught her by surprise. Zebadiah not so as much as Boone. Boone hadn't been seen at one of New Orleans's fundraising galas in a very long time.

Zelda enjoyed the view for a moment before she checked them off on the RSVP list. "You two make a handsome couple," she teased.

"Thank you, since Lucy agreed to keep Eden for you, I needed a date, and Boone was gracious enough to accept my invitation." Zebadiah kissed Zelda on the cheek.

"I'm touched that you thought of me," Boone said with a grin as he followed Zebadiah's lead and placed a kiss on Zelda's cheek. "I just hope he doesn't try to take advantage of me like he did last time."

"It was my reputation at stake. It's not my fault your such a bad poker player," Zebadiah insisted before he walked into the crowd, immediately met by a few men who probably wanted to discuss business.

"How long do you have to stay?" Boone asked. He was standing so close to her that she had to tilt her head back to meet his eyes.

"Another hour," Zelda said a little bit breathless.

"Zebadiah mentioned that he and Lucy are keeping Eden this evening. I thought we could go out when you're done here."

"A-alright," Zelda stammered. She and Boone had never been out on a date before, at least not without Eden.

"Have you eaten?" he asked, his eyes intense as they stared into hers.

"No, I was going to eat here," Zelda said, licking her lips as her eyes fell to his lips.

"Boone Norris!" someone called from behind Boone, and he took a deep breath as his jaw clenched before he turned with a fake social smile in place.

Zelda watched as he greeted the older couple, saying all the right things as he let them lead him away, but not before he turned and looked over his shoulder at Zelda, who couldn't mistake the heat she saw in his gaze.

Her stomach rolled a little and her heart picked up speed. She was excited and nervous to be alone with him after all these years. He could kiss her and touch her, and there would be no need for guilt, she wouldn't have to hide how she felt like she had in the past.

The next hour was the slowest of her life. Zelda greeted people and made sure that everything was as it should be before her relief showed up to take over. She was filling the young woman in on everything when Boone materialized beside her.

"Are you ready?" he whispered in her ear.

Zelda noted the eyes of the girl she was talking to go wide when she recognized Boone, and Boone smiled at the young girl before grabbing Zelda's hand and tugging at it, pulling her away from the table.

"Wait, I have to get my purse!" Zelda laughed, reaching down to grab it before saying goodbye to the young girl who couldn't take her eyes off Boone.

"You don't even have to try, do you?" Zelda asked as they settled into his car.

"With you?" he asked hopefully.

"No." Zelda smiled, thinking that he honestly didn't have to try with her either. "With every other girl you meet," she clarified.

He looked over at her with a confused look.

"They only have to meet you, especially looking like you look now, and they're all immediately in love, or at least lust." Zelda shook her head. "So that begs the question, if you could have any woman in this entire city, why on earth would you want me?"

"I think you're exaggerating." Boone's voice was dry. "But for the record, I have wanted you for a very, very, long time."

"But why?" she asked again.

He drove the short distance to his bar and pulled into a parking spot behind the building. "I thought we could eat here?" he explained. He still hadn't answered her question.

It wasn't what she had in mind, but she nodded and followed him through a door that led into the building off the alley. He then led her up a narrow staircase, and through the door at the top which opened onto a massive apartment. Zelda was shocked at the space. It was beautiful.

The main room was huge, there were old wooden floors in a warm honey tone that were worn in places, but it only added charm to the room. The walls were exposed brick on the sides with the exposed brick on the front of the building broken up by large arched French windows that were open, letting in the October breeze. The long white curtains were like ghosts as they danced in the breeze. There were a few lamps on that cast shadows in the room. The kitchen was on the main entry side of the room and was separated from the rest of the room by a long breakfast bar. The room was finished off with large brown leather chairs and couches, limited artwork, and throw rugs to help muffle the sound.

"This is beautiful, Boone. How long have you lived here?" she asked as she ran her hand along the back of the leather sofa before walking over to the windows and stepping out on the narrow balcony that looked over Bourbon Street.

Boone stepped out behind Zelda placing his arms to either side of her, trapping her against him. "About six years." He placed a kiss on her neck where it met her shoulder. "Are you hungry? I thought I could cook us something, and we could talk."

Zelda felt every nerve in her body light up as his lips brushed her skin.

"You still haven't answered my question," she reminded him. "Why me?"

"Because I love you, Zelda. I love everything about you, your beautiful face and body, your smell, your heart, your kindness. I love watching you be a mother. I didn't want to think of you that way. To know that Collin had what I wanted, that he was able to touch you, and I couldn't. To know that he made a child with you; it gutted me. I was eaten up with jealousy." Boone kissed her shoulder again, taking a deep breath and inhaling her scent. "Then I met Eden, and I saw you with her. The two of you are perfect."

Zelda felt every word he said in her heart. They were words she had always wanted to hear. She turned to face him wrapping her arms around his neck. Her body was trembling and she had to remind herself to breathe. "What if I told you I wasn't hungry, at least not for food." Her voice trembled as she said the words, and she heard Boone catch his breath, and then felt him stop breathing completely.

"Zelda," it was a rasp of a sound. "There's still so much between us that hasn't been resolved." He was searching for a reason to be strong.

"We've waited so long Boone, shouldn't we grab this chance while we can?" Zelda knew what she was saying was true. A deep part of her was fearful that it would all end, and this time she didn't want to walk away without a few memories to keep her warm at night.

Boone searched her face for something that would convince him.

Zelda pressed herself against him and felt his hard muscles meet her soft curves. "We have resolved how we feel, Boone. I love you too."

It was all he needed to hear as he gathered her close in a kiss that once again stole her soul. How long they kissed she couldn't say, but when they heard catcalls from the street below, Boone pulled her into the privacy of the apartment.

"Are you sure, Zelda?" he asked.

"Yes," she said, meeting his eyes. Then she gave a little squeal as he picked her up and carried her to a bedroom to the left of the kitchen.

Boone took his time, learning every part of her, and Zelda felt no shyness or fear as he taught her how love felt. The moment he knew the truth, that she had never made love before, he said her name with shock.

"There was never any need to be jealous, my love," Zelda whispered.

Boone said her name once more before every thought they had was overtaken by a feeling of complete connection.