Page 24 of Love's Instant Replay
“Say less.”
Kaeden stops walking long enough to pull me into his magnificent arms before placing several light kisses on my lips, heating my body rapidly from the feel of his soft lips on mine.
“Uh. I know you don’t think I’m about to eat these.” My nose twists and my face contorts as I stare at the smoke billowingfrom under the clear glass dome once the waiter lifts it from the plate.
A low chuckle escapes Kaeden’s mouth, and my eyes shift from the slimy shells on the plate to him.
“See, that’s what my ass gets for trying to do something nice. I don’t eat those nasty mothafuckas, but I was trying to?—”
“Have dinner canceled before we made it to the main course.”
Kaeden’s loud laughter hits me in the center of my chest causing my lips to twitch as I disconnect our eye contact to look at the waiter.
“Please give my sincere apologies to the chef, but uh—I won’t be eating these.”
“No problem, ma’am. Is there something I can bring you instead?” The smile on the waiter’s face has me easily returning the gesture.
“If it’s no trouble, I would love a salad basic, please,” I say.
“Coming right up.” With that, the waiter walks away, and my eyes return to Kaeden, whose smile shows in his gaze.
“My bad. Next time, we’ll keep it?—”
“Basic. I enjoy basic food and not the ritzy stuff you?—”
“Nah. I grew up on beanies and weenies, so I ain’t about that life either. I was trying to impress you with those oysters though.”
Laughter escapes my mouth as I look at Kaeden, smirking as I shake my head because men are crazy. Ending my humor, I give Kaeden a future tip because oysters will never be a delicacy worth impressing me.
“Mhm. Next time, don’t waste the money. Anyway, I’ve missed?—”
“I’ve missed y?—”
“Mica. I was gonna say Mica.” I giggle when Kaeden’s smile drops and a frown forms.
“Wow. Ain’t this some shit. A nigga tries to set up a romantic night for him and his lady?—”
“Oh, wait. I might like the sound of being your?—”
“Tuh. I’m glad you’re catching up with something I’ve known since our first outing.”
A schoolgirl grin forms, and my chest feels lighter hearing Kaeden’s statement because denying that I’m enjoying whatever we’re doing would be futile.
“Now that we have that out of the way. How have you been? On some straight simp shit, I’ve missed the fuck outta you, Kyelle. Talking to you doesn’t compare to the withdrawals I’ve been having from not seeing you. We’ll have to figure out a plan that allows me to lay eyes on you daily.”
It takes me a minute to gather my wits from the deadpan tone and the sincere adoration shining in Kaeden’s eyes. My heart rhythm is out of sync, and only a defibrillator could get it beating normally as I get lost in the words in Kaeden’s eyes that he isn’t speaking verbally. My thighs are clenching tight as I mentally pray the vibration I’m feeling isn’t detectable to Kaeden.
“How do you suggest we work around your hectic schedule?”
“Hm. How bendable are you? I might be able to sneak you in my duffel bag for practice and game days.”
Laughter shoots out of my mouth like a waterfall as Kaeden’s lips tilt and his eyes twinkle in merriment.
Nearly Two Weeks Later. . .
“I have a question for you,” Kyelle says, and I sit up straighter in my bed while staring into her playful eyes.
“What’s up?”
