Page 7 of Love Set Me Free

“You good?” he asked, snapping her out of her thoughts.

Swallowing, she smiled up at him and nodded. “It’s just surreal that you’re here right now.”

He nodded. “Yeah, I know. You actually mind if we get this food to go?”

She watched as his eyes surveyed the parking lot before nodding vigorously.

“Oh, of course, Kyd. I should have thought of that. I can’t believe I didn’t think of that?—”

“Aye, man. Chill with all that. It’s all good. I ain’t even think about getting the shit to go until we got here. We’re good. You’re good.”

Paisley let out a deep breath as stubborn tears teased the back of her eyelids. She had planned meticulously to make this day perfect for Kydrick. For years, she formulated his release day, manifesting that it would happen, eventually. Now that it was here, she kicked herself for not considering that he might not feel comfortable being in the public eye.

“Okay,” she finally whispered, avoiding his eyes. For some reason, she felt like she failed him. “Do you want to stay in the car while I order?”

He looked at her, his thick brows pulling in. “Have you lost your mind, woman? I want to be wherever you are.”

He pushed her golden-brown hair behind her shoulder and caressed her cheek. His words hung between them. The onlyreason they broke out of the trance they seemed to have with one another was because Kydrick’s stomach growled. Startled, Paisley jumped slightly before her eyes grew wide.

“Come on,” she said, grabbing his hand. “Let’s go get you some food.”

Inside the restaurant, the smell of sizzling meats and fresh tortillas met their nostrils, causing Kydrick to groan. Paisley giggled, stopping at the counter and looking up at the menu.

“Feast a fiesta taco box for sure. Anything else you want?” She looked back at Kydrick, who had his eyes trained on her, looking sad.

“What’s wrong?” she asked in alarm.

Kydrick shook his head. “It’s nostalgic being in here. I… I ain’t really think the shit would affect me…”

“Kyd, go to the car. Go ahead. I got this. Just let me know what else you want.”

Everything in Paisley wanted to take care of Kydrick. She wanted to make sure he was as comfortable as possible since that hadn’t been anyone else’s priority since he went to prison. She was his only friend—his family. She would have his back through this transition, just as she had while he was on the inside.

He shook his head. “Nah, just get whatever. You know I’m going to eat. I’m alright.”

Paisley chewed on her lip nervously before turning back to the menu and mentally making her selections. When she was ready, she stepped closer to the counter and greeted the lady standing there before placing her order.

After she paid, she turned and saw Kydrick standing up against the wall next to the door and watching the few people dining in the small space. Sazón wasn’t fancy, and it could be considered fast food, but it wasauthenticfast food. Whatever those cooks did in the back of the restaurant, they for suredid that. Everyone in Ellwood knew it was the best place for tacos,and normally it was a lot more crowded than this, but it was a Monday afternoon, so there were only a few people milling about. Later, though, it would be busy and crowded like it used to be when they came here as kids.

When his eyes landed on her, he tilted his head back and said, “Come here.”

His deep voice caused her to blush, and she timidly walked over to him, suddenly self-conscious of her sweats and yellow tight-fitted crop top shirt. She wondered if she should have dressed up a bit more, but then remembered it was just Kydrick. He had seen her during her awkward junior high phase where she was going through puberty. Surely, this was a step up.

When she was in arm’s length of him, he pulled her into him by her waist, causing her to settle into his arms. They stood like that the entire time they waited for their order. He breathed her scent in and rubbed her back slowly, amazed that he actually had someone else this close to him. It had been so long since he had a simple hug. During visiting hours, they didn’t allow for touching, and his love language was physical touch with anyone he loved. This right here was everything to him. He felt himself being replenished and revived by the minute simply by her presence.

“Order 562.”

Paisley pulled away and looked up at him sheepishly before glancing back at the worker who called out their number.

“That’s us.”

She made a move to grab the two large bags that now sat on the red counter, but Kydrick stopped her.

“I got it.”

She watched as he swaggered over to the counter and grabbed the bags. She trailed behind him and grabbed the two horchatas she ordered before they made their way out of the restaurant.

Once the food was secured in the back seat, Paisley pulled out of the parking lot while Kydrick put their straws into their drinks. He took a long sip and sighed contentedly.

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