Page 12 of Love's Instant Replay
“Mhm. I’m all about proper recovery, and with you in the vicinity, I’ll have someone worthy of passing the time with.”
“Right. Here I thought you were naturally gifted when all along you’ve been cheating the system.”
My eyes narrow playfully while looking at Kyelle. “I mean, I am gifted in more ways than one . . . naturally.”
“Oh, you’re humble too, huh?” Kyelle says, rolling her eyes playfully.
Chuckling, I allow a moment of comfortable silence between us as various conversations take place around us.
“Where’s your girl? I thought she was excited about coming today.”
“Oh, she left to mingle with some of the bachelors on your team. I’m sure she’ll turn up soon enough,” Kyelle says nonchalantly. “By the way, where’s little Ms. Mica? I thought for sure I’d see her here today.”
My chest warms at the inquiry about my baby girl which lets me know that Kyelle isn’t a woman with plans of spending time with me without considering my daughter.
“She’s at home. She wasn’t feeling well today, so I didn’t think bringing her out here would be a good idea.”
“Aw, poor baby. I hope it’s nothing serious.” Tightness forms around Kyelle’s eyes as they fill with concern, and a deep frown forms.
“I’m sure she’s gonna be fine. Those germ spreaders at her school are always sending her home with something.”
“Oh, okay. I hope she feels better soon. I actually wanted to invite the two of you to a book fair that is happening next weekend. With Mica’s love for books, I know she will enjoy the event. If she’s feeling better and you don’t have any prior plans, that is.”
“None of my plans would stop me from being wherever you are. If you want us there, . . . consider it a date.”
“A date, huh?” Kyelle smirks.
“The first of many.”
A beaming gleam fills Kyelle’s eyes, and I mentally photograph it before shifting to her mouth when she begins speaking.
“You always know what to say to make me smile, huh?”
“I’m just trying to keep up with you. You’ve been keeping me grounded since I met you.”
“Hey, pretty lady. I’m—” Fire forms in my veins when my eyes shift to the uninvited third party speaking to Kyelle like I’m not sitting beside her.
“Aye, how up-to-date is your accidental insurance?” I ask, staring daggers into the clueless idiot standing to my right.
“What you say?”
I don’t know if the country accent or his question pisses me off more, but either way, I lift to my full height and stare missiles into him.
“It was nice chatting with you, Heath, but?—”
“Hm. With a single letter, your name is about to become synonymous with something much more final,” I say deadpan, causing Heath’s eyes to widen to the size of saucers.
“Run, Heath, . . . run,” someone nearby yells dramatically, yet my gaze doesn’t shift from the man in front of me.
“B-bye . . . p-prettyy?—”
“Don’t even finish that bullshit name,” I say, cutting him off as he turns and nearly trips while retreating down the steps.
“Aw, that was mean, Kaeden. He didn’t mean any harm,” Kyelle says.
“Flies don’t mean any harm, but they’re still annoying, aren’t they? Let’s go grab you some of these refreshments and find your friend so you can bounce before I hurt more than a man’s feelings about playing in my face over you.”
“I heard your hateful ass ran off Jon’s little brother earlier,” Rickey says, smirking.
