Page 15 of Mr. Winter
I’m laughing, but we’re crazy enough to do just that. If I weren’t in my feelings I’d be on my way. “That will be the last resort,” I assure her.
“I got combat boots in the closet. One more question. Did he say anything or give you any indication where his mind is at?”
“‘It was for the best.’ That’s what he said.”
“Oh, bitch we need more information than that.”
“Thank you! That’s what I’m saying.”
“Okay. Let’s get through the tree lighting and the wedding, then, we storm the castle.”
“He has that place locked down and has dismissed the staff. I need a strategy.”
“Old Man Winters used to have great danes. Think about it.”
I chuckle at her observation, but the doorbell chimes before I can respond. I know it’s not Mack because he would never. Since he has his own key, ringing the bell is ‘beneath him’—his words.
“Wait. Someone is at my door.” I check the peephole and a smile breaks out. “You were already on the way!” I exclaim as I hug my Kimmie.
“No shit. Let me in. My nuts are freezing,” she whines.
“You don’t have nuts either, psycho,” Mack says over the security speaker.
“Why are you checking my doorbell cameras? Aren’t you supposed to be working?”
“I am. You’re not popular enough to have company this late, so I was investigating, you ungrateful heifer.”
“You two are like a married couple without the sex,” Kimberly jokes.
“She wishes. I’m more addictive than sugar.”
“Boy, bye,” I tell him and close the door to kill the feed.
Kim puts her bag down then pulls off her coat. She's wearing a fuzzy one-piece underneath and once she slips off her boots, I notice the footies. With her small stature, she looks like a kid ready for a slumber party. Her hair is in a puffy ponytail, and her deep brown skin glows with a happiness that I haven't seen in a long time. That alone makes me feel better.
"Look!" she tells me as she pulls out a bottle of honey brown liquor. "And look!"
She pulls out to-go containers from a nearby country cooking restaurant.
"Do I smell chicken and dumplings, candied yams, and greens?"
"And cornbread."
Auntie'shas some of the best country cooking and the portions are crazy big. It used to be tradition for Kim and me to share, but with the death of her father and her going to New York, I've had to depend on Mack, and he eats most of it.
"I love that you're back, and we can do things like this."
After making drinks, we share the food as I fill her in on the craziness from the last few days.
We laugh until we're crying real tears about me punching Myron in the dick. He's been silent since. Knowing him, he's trying to build a lawsuit. I don't give a damn. My lawyer is better. Besides, Mack would be petty enough to fuck with him for months.
"I see you have the made-for-television marathon going. Jack had truly made a lasting impression."
A little of my sadness returns. I don't know why I hold on to it, but I do. Maybe he's the first guy I told myself I loved.
"Yeah. I just need to figure it out. It's not like we were you and Deacon…"
"Well, that's not exactly true. Deacon and I had more time to piss each other off, but that doesn't mean the connection you felt was less than ours. Besides, one of your last memories together was sweet. The two of you looked so happy holding hands and hugging..."
