Tackling Love - Kathleen Kelly Page 0,28
been cleaned from top to bottom. There’s nothing at home left for me to do. Colt has seen me most nights or called if he’s busy, but I can’t expect him to fill the void in my life that becoming jobless has opened up.
My dad has also rung me several times wanting to know when he can book my tickets. Between him and Colt, I’ve never felt so loved. Not that Colt has said the words, but he sure acts like it.
Tonight we are going to his friend, Grayson’s house, for dinner. I think I’ve changed my outfit six times, finally settling on a light pink, almost white, dress. I have a long coat to go over the top that’s a slightly darker shade of pink and silver slingback shoes. I’m wearing my hair up, and as an afterthought, I grab a pink scarf with silver flecks through it just in case it’s cold out.
I’m applying gloss to my lips when I hear a knock at the front door. Stepping back from the mirror, I give myself the once over again and leave the room. After my run-in with Derek, I check the peephole before I open the door, and standing outside is Colt with a bunch of flowers.
My heart does a little flutter as I open the door. “Aww, honey, they are beautiful.”
Colt holds them out, I take the bunch and inhale their lovely scent. “Thank you,” I whisper.
“My pleasure. You look beautiful. You ready to go?”
“Sure am. I’ll just pop these in some water.” I hurry off to the kitchen and grab a vase out of one of my overhead cupboards. I fill it with water, put the flowers in, and place it on the kitchen counter. When I turn around, Colt is staring at me funny.
“What?”
“Did you forget something?” asks Colt.
“No, I don’t think so…” I say as I look around the room.
Colt closes the gap between us and kisses me. “Sugar, you didn’t kiss me hello.”
I laugh. “The flowers threw me off. It’ll never happen again.”
“It better not.”
I slap Colt on the chest. “All right, all right… we should get going.” I push him away, take two steps back, and ask, “Do I look okay?”
“Nope, sugar, you look so much better than okay. You look perfect. Minerva is going to love you.”
“Minerva? Who’s Minerva?”
“Damn! Didn’t I tell you Gray’s momma is going to be the one doing the cooking? You’ll love her, she’s like a second mom to me.”
“No, you didn’t tell me. Is this ‘meeting your second mom’ appropriate?” I ask using air quotes then spin around.
Colt laughs and grabs my hand. “Absolutely. This is appropriate for meeting my mom. Don’t stress, sugar, you’re going to love her, and I know she’s going to love you.”
Colt drags me back through the house, I grab my bag and a bottle of wine off the side table, and we head out to his car.
COLT
Skye must have checked and rechecked her face and hair a dozen times on the drive to Gray’s house. I didn’t seem to quell her nerves even when I told her she looked perfect. It amuses me she would worry so much about Minerva’s opinion.
If I love her, Minerva will. Simple.
My heart swells at the thought that I love Skye.
I do.
Reaching over, I grab her hand and lace my fingers through hers. “Did you notice we match?”
Skye pushes up the passenger vanity mirror and looks at me. “You’re wearing a light pink shirt.” Laughter bubbles out of her.
“Great minds think alike.” I wink at her with a grin.
“Or fools never differ,” responds Skye.
“I like mine better. They’re going to think we collaborated on our clothing.”
Skye nods. “We look good together.”
“Yeah, sugar, we do.” Pulling up in Gray’s driveway, I turn off the engine and look at Skye. “Don’t be nervous. Minerva is wonderful, and Gray is my best friend. They will love you. Gray says you’ve been a good influence on me.” Skye frowns slightly and chews on her bottom lip. I lean in and kiss her. “Stay there.” I climb out of the car and run around to the passenger door. Opening it, I hold out my hand to Skye, she climbs out and grips onto me for dear life.
“Relax,” I say as I pry her hand out of mine and place it on my arm. “Minerva’s a great cook, too.” I pat her arm, and we walk towards Gray’s front door.
The door flies open, and Gray smiles at us, then looks over