Page 104 of Painting Her Fate

My body knows what she feels like, and it’s more than ready to go.

Down, boy. Delayed gratification.

Once I’m showered and dressed, I was about to ask her what she wanted to do for lunch when my phone chimed in my pocket, multiple times. Pulling it out I check to see who is blowing up my phone.

Blake-Mom is looking for you.

Gavin-Oh boy. Mom is upset you’re not here.

Emma-Don’t tell me you forgot.

Shit.What did I forget?

My phone begins ringing with ‘Mom’ flashing on the screen. I sigh and give Lili a grim look before swiping the screen to answer. After talking for a few minutes, I am reminded about the family Easter dinner being today, not tomorrow due to church details.

“I’ll be there, see you in a few.” I hang up and shove my phone in my pocket. Lili is leaning against the counter sketching in her book, glancing from me to the paper, and back again.

“I forgot my mom has her Easter dinner today.” I walk to her and check out what she is drawing. It’s me turned sideways, as if she’s remembering how I look while we cuddled on the couch, or in her bed as we made out for hours at a time. Her lips are still a little bruised. I wonder if she will let me kiss them and make them better? A small blush lights her cheeks. Is she embarrassed I caught her in the act of sketching such an intimate moment between us? “That is amazing.” I brush away a lock of damp hair, her lavender scent clinging to the air.

“That’s fine. I have Tamara calling me within the hour. We are going over more gala details. I should probably check in on my dad as well. He is going stir crazy with thenibblersrunning around.”

“Nibblers?” I ask, confused. What the hell is a nibbler? Lili set her pencil down and gave me her full attention. “Like an ankle biter dog?”

Lili bursts into laughter, “no, not dogs. Tiny humans. Sort of like, niece, and nephew, only it’s universal.” She chuckles again, “I’ll have to tell my aunt you think her children are ankle bitters. She’s going toloveyou.”

“You’re funny.” I like this side of her, not a hint of darkness clouding the edges. “So, I take it you’re too busy to come along with me?Hank is there.” Yes, I played the Hank card again. I’m not as upset about her loving my dog; I know my rank and I’m gaining each day.

Her face falls into a grim line, “I’d love to, but everything I have is riding on this gala. Now that dad is getting better, I need to help Tamara. I might be flying back to London later next week.”

“You’re leaving?” The words were out before I could think. If she has plans to go back home, what am I doing here? Could we have a long-distance relationship? We haven’t talked about anything pertaining to that segment.

Lili tries to hide a yawn, “Only for two or three days.” She moves in closer, “I couldn’t be away from you any longer than that. I’d go insane.”

I lean down and whisper, “I feel the same way.” I rest my lips to hers and wrap my arms around her waist.

She pulls back and runs a hand over my jaw, “I kind of like this scruff you have. It’s like I’m with a whole new man.”

I trimmed it so I didn’t look so much like a mountain man, leaving just enough “scruff” for my liking. No mustache though.

“You shouldn’t keep your family waiting.” She backs away and sets her hands to her hips.

I nod once, “I guess I’ll see you Monday, for the festival.”

“I won’t see you at all tomorrow?” She asks as we walk to the door. I put my sneakers on in quick succession and lift my duffle bag from the floor. “You wouldn’t want to hang out with my crazy family, would you? I promised the nibblers I’d paint their faces and help them with their egg hunt.” She sets her hands on her hips once again, “care to test you’re scouting routines, there soldier?”

“Ohh, a challenge.” What do I have going on Sunday? Right. Ford and I were getting Shark from the airport, and they had plans to celebrations early. Maybe they would let me meet up with them later in the day.

“I met your family, so it’s time you were subjected to a bit of my crazy.” Lili is fierce. She is on fire with teasing today.

I give her a small smile, “I thought we were to take this slow?”

She shrugs, “semantics.”

So, we’re not taking it slow? Good to know.

“I was supposed to get a friend at the airport later in the day, but your plan sound much better.” Ford and Shark can start without me, it’s not like they wait for me half the time anyway, “sounds like we have ourselves a date,

Ms. Hayes.”

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