The Bound Between Us

Chapter 857

Tavon was on edge.

Salma had put extra effort into her outfit that morning-hair done, makeup perfect, floral dress swishing as she left for her date with that older guy. Tavon was practically fuming.

Anastasia barely got a word out before Tavon stormed out.

As soon as he left, Herman wandered downstairs, glancing around the unusually quiet living room. "Why's it so dead in here? Where's your mom and dad?"

"My mom's out on a date. Dad's off playing detective, probably tailing her," Anastasia said, grinning. "Honestly, it's about time Mom got to have some fun for once."

She'd never hoped her parents would get back together-never even wanted it. Having a mom who was finally happy and clear-headed? That was enough for her.

Herman came up behind Anastasia and gave her shoulders a quick squeeze. "You're not worried they'll get into it?"

"They're both getting up there. I mean, surely they wouldn't make a scene at their age... right?" Anastasia replied, though her confidence wavered.

Out at the park, a bunch of retirees-led by old George-were dancing under a big oak tree to some crackly jazz from a Bluetooth speaker. These guys had nothing but time now, so they'd meet up, dance, chat, and swap stories to keep the loneliness at bay.

Salma had been taking good care of herself lately, dropping by Monica's Beauty Bar every so often. All that pampering showed-she looked bright and confident, and today she was positively glowing.

Adam, sixty and retired from the auto plant, was a widower with two grown kids who were always busy. He mostly kept to himself, picking up odd jobs and, lately, learning to dance. He was on the shorter side, a little round in the middle, with a warm, easygoing face and a knack for making people laugh.

over the last few months. When Adam finally told her how he felt, Salma realized she liked him too. So now,

bench, glaring at the scene. The more he watched, the more

at them, hugging up like teenagers. Honestly. This

got up and marched over, pulling Salma out of Adam's arms. "Knock it off. Have you no shame?

Heads turned.

blinked. "Salma, who's

"Calling her Salma like you're twenty

here. You're the only one making

me," Tavon insisted, scowling. "This hugging and carrying on—what will people think? I'm still

off, glaring. "Who I spend time with is my business, not yours." She turned to Adam, explaining,

even her ex-husband-just

patient smile. "Buddy, we're all adults here. No need

around. I've been watching you. Salma, I'm just trying to make sure you don't get played. With your history, I'm

if anyone wasted my time, it was you. You cost me over twenty years.

close behind, but Tavon

down. "Maybe you should be the one to back off. She told me about you. Guys like you give the rest of us a bad name. Leave

Tavon a firm shove and followed after

years old, and still, here they were caught up in a love

mortified, which is why she