Page 45 of Until the Ink Dries

I lifted my brow and smirked.

“What you know about body language and mine to be exact?” I asked, teasing to lighten the moment.

Willow smiled and looked away briefly before peering back at me.

“I know what it looks like when someone is uncomfortable.”

“I hear you. Well, what’s my body language telling you right now?” I asked, leaning forward onto the table.

Willow picked a few pieces of popcorn and threw them into her mouth, then tilted her head as if she was examining me.

“Hmm… The way you’re leaned in. It lets me know that you’re interested in what I have to say. The eye contact is telling me that you could sit here and listen to me talk all day. Does that sound about right to you?” she asked.

The cocky smirk she held, let me know I didn’t need to give her an answer. She already knew what my response would be. I reached across the table then brushed her hair behind her ear. I couldn’t take my eyes from the fullness of her lips and the rise of her cheeks. Baby was beyond beautiful. The more I allowed that fact to settle in, the more I just wanted a taste.

I ran my tongue across my lower lip and leaned forward just a bit more. I let my eyes do the pleading for her to close that distance. I wasn’t the type to take something that wasn’t offered. She was going to have to show me she was just as interested as I was.

She leaned forward just a little, to where I could smell the butter on her breath. Only a breath away, I was finally going to figure out exactly what Willow Dawson’s lips felt like.

“Daddy! I’m ready to go dance now.” Charlie shouted.

Willow and I pulled back fast, like a bucket of cold water was thrown over the moment. She didn’t meet my eyes as she began packing up her snacks. I followed suit and finished my lemonade. We threw the rest of the food away and allowed Charlie to pull both of us toward the crowd of adults and kids dancing on a glowing platform. I wouldn’t say I was a dancer, but I could keep up with the beat.

“Juice” by Lizzo was playing which was one of Charlie’s favorite songs. I shook my head as her and Willow pulled me along with them. Charlie stood in between us and wiggled her hips then wavered her hands over her head. Willow followed suit and started walking around me, causing Charlie to do the same thing. They had all eyes on us which wasn’t hard because I had the most beautiful ladies here. I did my two step since they put me on the spot and threw in a little Harlem shake. Willow and Charlie laughed as the song switched to “LoveHate Thing” by Wale.

I lifted Charlie into my arms and then pulled Willow in close with my freehand. I sang the hook into their ears, causing them to smile.

“Now, why y’all didn’t tell me you were coming here? I like to dance, too.” Shirah said behind us.

She wound her hips in a circle, causing Charlie to laugh. Willow stepped out of my arms and off to the side.

“Girl, please.” Willow said to her.

“I’m getting ready to head out. You can come with me or—” Shirah said, leaving the question in the air.

Ilooked between Shirah and Benjamin, both waiting for an answer. I think she’d willingly ditched me to give us time together. All day long, she hadn’t been too far. I could see her on her phone and pointing the phone in our direction. If I had to guess, she was talking to Jordan. I could almost bet that they were in on this together.

I wasn’t mad at her for that.

Truth be told, I was enjoying my time with Benjamin and Charlie. This was now twice that I’d had the most fun being home and, ironically, it was with the two of them. Finally breaking eye contact, I cleared my throat.

“Well… if Benjamin and Charlie don’t mind me tagging along?—”

“We don’t mind!” Charlie answered. “Do we, Daddy?”

Benjamin chuckled. “Nah, we don’t mind. I’ll make sure she gets home safe.”

Shirah pursed her lips. “Mmm hmm. I bet you will.”

Willow smacked her arm. “Let me walk you to this car.”

Shirah laughed. “I’ll see y’all later. Bye, cutie pie!”

She playfully pinched Charlie’s cheek, causing her to grin. When she did the same to Benjamin, he smacked her hand.

“Don’t play with me like that, woman.”

“I’m not gonna take offense to that because you have a preference for who touches your face.”

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