Page 68 of Unexpectedly In Love

“I think it’s fine. Where are the guys?” As is the norm Kyros, Khaos and Cid are never too far behind. Glancing over my shoulder I spot the three musketeers following behind us.

My fingers loosen as Eryx takes the bags from my hands and passes it on to Kyros.

“You know what, hold him for a second. I need to use the ladies.” Handing Kai over to Eryx, I did not turn back to see his expression. Weaving my way through the crowd I find the female restroom. Walking in, I quickly made my way to the handicap stall. Locking the door behind me. Standing in the bathroom, Ms. Ortnell words ring in my head, “Love your husband and live.” Mam it’s not that easy, in a month and a half this will be all over. Then what? I need to breathe. As I inhale, it occurs to me I chose the worst place to have a come to Jesus’ moment. A stinky restroom, really, Anise? I pull myself together, peering into the mirror. I wash my hands, fix my hair and smile. “Chill, Anise, you need to chill.”

As I exit the bathroom, my body is shoved to the side. A hand steadies me.

A mature man standing about 6’2 holds my shoulders, his back is facing the busy crowd. This is how you should age. Hello Mr. Silver fox. When he smiles, his dark grey eyes meet mine. “Are you okay, madam?”

His accent sounds like a vampire. It’s remarkably familiar…my heart thuds. My body feels stiff, like my ancestors are behind me telling me to run.

“I’m fine,” I declare, stepping back to dust off my jeans while my gaze sweeps the area. I find Kyros leaning on talking to a cute chubby girl who is trying to feed him bread.

“You need to be careful. Anyone can whisk a pretty woman like you away.” Oh, the way he smiles irks me and who wears a grey suit in this hot Charleswood sun.

“Thank you. Do have an enjoyable day.” Fear rises up in me. I need to move now, thankfully a lady passes out of the bathroom, I move right alongside with her.

“Kyros!” The panic in my voice makes Kyros run toward me.

“Hey, are you okay?” He quickly surveys the crowd, then instinctively moves me behind him for protection.

“Yes, I’m fine.” I don’t bother telling Kyros what happened. Besides, he will tell Eryx, and they may fight. I will only make things worse. I don’t know who the man was but I didn’t feel safe, I could be a little paranoid.

“Let’s get back to Eryx before he skins me alive.” Kyros guides me through the crowd to Eryx’s side.

As his gaze meets mine, he pulls me to him. “What’s wrong?”

“God, nothing, it’s just so hot.” I reach for Kai needing to feel my body close to his. That freaking man creeped me out. I shift my gaze into the crowd around me one more time.

“You seem like you were spooked,” Eryx comments, his eyes scanning the area over my head...

“Gosh no, I’m fine. Chill.” I sway to the music with Kai in my arms.

Before he can probe, we are interrupted.

“Hi there, I am Kelcy. Would you like to take part in our Charleswood Park baby race.” A sugar rush sounding teenager with pink braces and hair in pigtails. She snaps the top of her clipboard as she awaits our answer.

“Um... What do you think?” I asked Eryx.

He surveys the crowd then locks gaze with someone behind my head.

“Why not? You think you wanna do a crawl race buddy?” Eryx tickles under Kai’s neck. My eyes settle on my little bundle of joy, his grey eyes meet mine and feel a need to kiss him and make monster noises on his neck.

He squeals and kicks his legs. There is something about having a happy baby as a mother. I don’t always get it right, but his laugh makes me confident that I’m doing something right.

Eryx and I follow Kelcy, she places us in a line with parents and their babies.

“Here you are, Kai is number 2.” Kelcy gives Eryx a runner’s number for Kai’s back.

She makes a note on her clipboard and then says, “Announcer is going to introduce you three and call your number. Decide who is at the finish line and who is at the starting.”

I instantly look at Eryx “What do you think? I start and you finish?”

He rubs his beard with the back of his hand, looking at all the parents around us.

“I’m thinking I start, and you finish. Trust me on this,” Eryx states.

My son is peering around at the other babies, sending kisses to the people around us.

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