Page 62 of Pour Decisions
“I know.” I tell her about how things have changed, like Dad is tightening his leash, and how learning about Frank’s past made me rethink things.
“That’s a lot, babe,” she says, scanning my face. “But it sounds like something you might have to do.”
“You think so?”
“Yeah,” she says. “You’ve given so much to the company. And yeah, right now your dad is in charge, but he trained you to take over. He can’t get wishy washy because he can’t control what you do once he steps back.”
“I know. But it’s my family’s company. Their expectations. I mean, my whole life was leading up to it. I don’t know what life would be like.”
We sit in silence for a while, my thoughts slowly churning. I can’t imagine what the future would be like. All I know is that Kat would be in it. But I have to be tied to reality—we can’t just survive on love.
Her cat ears are on lopsided and her makeup is smudged, but they don’t take away from how serious she is.
“I doubt you’d do anything hasty, so I’m here for whatever you decide to do, okay?” She runs her thumb along my cheek. “I love you no matter what choice you make.”
She said it to me all those years ago, but hearing her say it now sucks the air out of my lungs. I’ve subconsciously understood that my father’s love—or at least his expression of love—hinges on my choices. So knowing that she’s behind me no matter what? It means more to me than she’ll ever know.
“I love you too.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
JD
Nana: Summoning you and your lady love for dinner at my house.
I frownat my phone a little, glance at my computer, then back at my phone. Bringing Katrina to “meet” Nana feels like the next right step. It’s very long overdue.
Me:Let us know when and what you want to eat.
I pull up my text with Kat next. She sent me a few memes when I was sitting right next to her last night, buried under the photos she sent me the other day. I glance up to make sure that no one is lingering outside my door and scroll up to those. The photos don’t show her face, but I can see everything else. Her tiny scrap of a lace bodysuit clings to her tits and the curves of her hips.
I nearly fucking lost it when she sent them to me, even though she warned me they were coming. I got home and made her put it on again, just to fuck her in it.
Me: I was supposed to text you about something, but I can’t remember what it was supposed to be because of that pic you sent me.
Katrina:
I genuinely have to sit there and try to remember what I was doing when Nana’s text reminds me.
Nana: Are y’all free tonight? I got invited to a party tomorrow. And make whatever you want.
I open up my text to Katrina again and ask if she’s free to go to Nana’s for dinner. She texts backyesright away.
I wrap up my day and head to the store. Katrina can cook, but it’s not her thing, so I take the lead on the menu.
I buy ingredients for a quick, spicy Cajun pasta that Nana likes, and head home. Katrina is already there, whipping something up in a bowl. She’s changed into a jeans and a thin sweater since it’s getting cool out. Bubba is a polite distance away from her, stretched out on his side. He’s rarely ever home during the day, and usually when he is, he’s antsy when I get back. Katrina must have calmed him down.
“I’m bringing cookie dough so we can bake them there. Is that okay?” she asks. “They’re peanut butter chocolate chip.”
“It’s perfect.” I sweep some flour off her jaw and kiss her. “Nana loves cookies.”
We easily slide into a comfortable post-work ritual, talking about our days and what I’m going to cook.
Once she finishes the cookie dough and puts the balls into a container, we head over to Nana’s with Bubba. Since it’s coolerout now, Nana is standing inside her screen door, Coco in her arms.
“Hey, Nana,” Katrina says first.
“Hey, you!” Nana opens the door and gives Katrina a hug, smothering Coco between them. “It’s so good to see you. Both of you.”
