Page 32 of Love's Instant Replay
“I love your hair. It makes you easily the prettiest girl in the world,” Kyelle says, smiling.
“Aw. Thank you, Ms. Kyelle. I think you’re the prettiest girl in the world too.” Mica giggles.
My chest tightens and releases when Mica throws her arms around Kyelle as they embrace. Seeing Kyelle giving Mica thereassurance she was seeking has adoration bursting in my chest. When an unexpected vision flashes, I blink rapidly to forestall the water begging for clearance in my tear ducts.
“Let’s finish the story. We pretty girls need our beauty sleep,” Kyelle says, picking up the book and resuming the story as Mica listens intently.
“I’m gonna let y’all have it. I’ll be waiting for you, Ms. Ky. Good night, Cupcake,” I say over the lump in my throat after standing to my full height before quickly kissing Mica’s cheek.
My eyes meet Kyelle’s as I wordlessly communicate my need for her once she’s finished with Mica. A slow nod and wink from Kyelle has my dick twitching as I make my way to the door.
“I’ll shower first and then give Kyelle a bedtime story of my own,” I whisper upon stepping into the hallway and heading toward my bedroom.
An Undetermined Time Later. . .
“What’s up with you bringing me to this coffee spot?”
Staring into Kaeden’s hypnotic eyes, I leisurely run my fingers up and down the container holding the black tea I opted for instead of coffee. The sugar and honey mix somehow enhances the tea's flavor, warming me with every sip.
“It’s lowkey and someplace close to the stadium and your bookstore. I wanted to spend some one-on-one time with you before daddy duty kicks in when I get home.”
Looking around the shop, I take note of the few customers who seem to be in their own worlds instead of paying attention to us. So far, I’ve been able to hide under the radar of Kaeden’s life, which I thoroughly appreciate. Dating not only an athletebut one of Kaeden’s caliber can subject me to public scrutiny. But things have been great so far, and no one knows our involvement other than our close circles.
“I’m sure Mica is waiting for you to read her story so she can go to sleep. Do we need to wrap thi?—”
“Nah. We’re good. Jaleel is handling bath and story time, so I don’t have to rush our time.”
A flash catches my eye causing me to look out the window to see a man with a camera smirking before two rapid flashes cause me to blink.
“Oh God. He—that man is taking pictures of us,” I stutter, looking at Kaeden as my eyes balloon.
“Fuck!” Kaeden moves to exit the booth, causing the man to quickly run away as my chest pinches at the gravity of what the pictures will mean.
So much for staying out of the limelight I just thought I evaded.
“Thank you for your help. I’ll be back soon,” a feminine voice says, snapping me out of my brief trance.
Tracy waves to the customer who quickly exits the bookstore as Tracy’s attention shifts to me.
“You’ve been looking off-kilter all day. Are you feeling okay? If we didn’t have our cycles last week, I would be asking if that man of yours shot the club up.” Not even Tracy’s grin or teasing bump changes the sour feeling in my stomach.
All day, I’ve been feeling uneasy and like a storm is coming, but I can’t pinpoint what’s causing the anxiousness within me.
“Kyelle.”
“Huh?” My voice is but a whisper as the sinking feeling in my stomach increases, and the urge to go home to sleep off my melancholy mood emerges.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I’m—uh, I’m fine.” My words taste like acid leaving my lips because I feel everything but fine. But I can’t begin to describe why I’m so off.
“Hm. If you say so,” Tracy says, picking up her phone as I head to my office for a quick reprieve.
I take about three steps before a gasp sounds behind me, causing me to turn toward Tracy. Her hand covers her mouth, and her eyes are as big as saucers before connecting with mine.
“H-have you talked to Kaeden today?”
My eyes pinch, and wrinkles stretch across my forehead at the oddity of the question. “Kaeden?”
