Hendrix - Kelsey Clayton Page 0,37
if you will.”
He takes my extended hand and shakes it. “Deal.”
My arm tingles with the contact, but I mentally push it away. Just because we're putting everything behind us does not mean I can go have feelings for him. That is one thing that is not an option.
“You coming?” he asks by the door, snapping me from my thoughts.
I let go of the tension and smile. “Wouldn't miss it.”
THE PLACE IS PACKED with families from all over, and I'm honestly surprised Colby chose such a public ice cream shop to come to. But he says it's the best in town, so I believe him. Of course, there's a few people who ask him for an autograph, but for the most part, we're left alone.
“You were right,” Brenna says with her mouth full. “This is the best ice cream I've ever had in my life.”
He chuckles and hands her a napkin to wipe her face. “Your life has only been five years long. I'm not sure how much credibility that statement has.”
“She's eaten a lot of ice cream,” I assure him. “Trust me, it has credibility.”
I get up from the table and start toward the trash can to throw out my bowl, when someone barrels past me. I stumble backward and before I can stop myself, fall straight into Colby's lap. Thankfully, he catches me and my bowl, but I freeze the second I notice how close we are.
“You okay?” he asks.
Right now? Not even a little. “Y-yeah.”
The two of us stare at each other, and the corner of his mouth raises, a dimple showing with it. “Are you going to get up or are you comfortable?”
“Shit, sorry.”
I jump off his lap and go back over to my side of the table. Brenna giggles, and I realize I never threw away my cup. Fuck it. I'll do it later.
I'M GETTING ALL THE ingredients for brownies out when the door opens and Maddie comes rushing in. It catches me off guard, because I know she's supposed to be at work right now. I should be, too, but I called out and opted to spend the day with Brenna instead.
“Aunt Maddie!” she exclaims happily.
Picking Brenna up, Maddie gives her a tight hug. “I've missed you, little dork.”
Brenna grins. “I had two sleepovers at Stinky-Pants’s house.”
“Stinky-Pants?”
I wave it off. “It's what she calls Colby. Don't ask.”
My best friend chuckles. “Oh-kay.”
“Brenna, why don't you go change into something a little less nice, and I'll let you crack the eggs.”
She beams, since I don't usually let her do that—it's too messy—but she could get anything out of me right now. The second she's gone, I turn to Maddie.
“Aren't you supposed to be at work?”
Her one brow raises. “Aren't you supposed to be engaged?”
Taking a couple eggs out of the carton, I chuckle. “Yes? Thank you for that update on my relationship status.”
She pulls a magazine from her purse and slaps it on the counter in front of me. Front and center on the cover is a picture of Colby and me. We're sitting outside the ice cream shop, with me planted firmly in his lap. The whole thing lasted a few seconds, but this picture was taken at the exact wrong time.
Has Hendrix Finally Found The One?
The headline stares back at me and makes my stomach churn.
“An insider tells us all about Colby's mystery date and her adorable daughter,” she reads out loud. “The fuck is this?”
I pull it into my hands and shake my head. “It's not what it looks like. I fell, and he caught me. I got up after. It wasn't this big thing.”
She gives me an unsure look. “You better hope Topher believes that.”
Fuck—Topher. There's no way he's going to listen to a word I say about it, let alone believe me. The picture looks bad, and the article to go along with it looks even worse.
“I'm ready, Mommy!” Brenna says excitedly.
I take a deep breath and focus all my attention on my daughter. “Great, sweetie. Let's wash your hands.”
Everything else will have to wait.
IT'S HALF PAST ONE in the morning when Topher finally gets home. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know he's been out drinking. He comes through the door, not as loud as he was the other night, but not much quieter, either. However, the second I go to talk to him, I already see it—the magazine clenched tightly in his fist.
“Topher,” I beg quietly, careful not to wake Brenna. “It's not what it looks like.”
He scoffs. “No?