Page 44 of Colors and Curves

It’s something I’ve always wanted, but I’m scared out of my mind about it. What if they don’t like me? What if I don’t fit in? What if I can’t handle it at all?

I’m thirty-three years old and I sound so damn childish. I hate it.

But I’ll suck it up because I’m going to do whatever makes Skylar happy.

“Hey, Cameron,” I say, letting him through the door. Chance comes running from the kitchen. “Thanks again for watching Chance today. Sky’s niece is really allergic to dogs. Her niece was sad I couldn’t bring him, but I don’t want to cause any problems.”

“Happy to be here. You pay well.” He laughs, then scratches Chance behind the ears as I close the door. “I’ll take him to that dog park he likes. He’ll be exhausted when you get home.”

“I have no idea when we’ll be back. If I survive this, it could be late.” I swipe the sweat off my forehead as I walk to the kitchen.

“Man, you never get nervous,” Cameron says from behind me. “Well, at least not in front of me. You’ll do fine. Sky’s really cool, so I can’t imagine her family being any different. You’ve changed a lot. You might find it easier than you think.” He pats me on the shoulder, then takes a seat at the kitchen island.

“I hope so. This’ll be the first time I meet a woman’s parents.”

Cameron’s eyebrows shoot up. “First time ever?” I nod.

Since Cameron has been working with me more, we’ve become friends. He knows that I’m color-blind now. In fact, he’s almost like a younger brother now. We joke around and sometimes he hangs out here after a shoot is finished. I’m not closed off like I was before. It’s hard to believe this is my life right now.

Daisy walks out of the hallway, flipping through her phone.

“Hot damn! Look at you,” Cameron expresses. “You are so hot in that yellow sundress, and I’m not even straight.”

She twirls around and kisses him on the cheek. “Can you be a permanent fixture in this house? You make me feel so beautiful.”

“You are, especially with those tats.”

I clap my hands together. “Okay. Sky should be here any minute. Daisy, are you ready? Where’s your cake?”

She walks over and rests her hand on my arm. “Look, I know you’re nervous, Jules. I am too. But don’t worry. If Sky has fallen in love with you—and she has—so will her parents. The rest of her family already adores you.”

“What? What do you mean, she’s in love with me?”

Daisy cocks an eyebrow and turns to Cameron. “Cameron, is Sky in love with my brother?”

“One hundred percent.” He gives me a thumbs-up with a goofy grin.

“Did she tell you that?” My voice cracks, and I rub my hand through my hair for the sake of doing something.

“No, but we have eyes and it’s obvious. But you want to know what’s even more obvious? You’re in love with her too.”Huh?

I’m relieved when the doorbell rings.

“I’ll get it,” Daisy offers. Chance runs behind her because he probably knows Skylar’s at the door. There’s some chatter, barking, and laughing. Then Chance runs to me in the kitchen with a new toy in his mouth. He drops it on the floor to show me. I burst out laughing. It’s a squirrel. Daisy follows and then Skylar.

I stop laughing because I can’t breathe. She’s beyond beautiful, and I haven’t even seen what she’s wearing. My eyes are locked on her sparkling ones, her perfect face and bare neck. Like always, and that’s why I call her beautiful instead of Sky most of the time.

“You’re spoiling Chance, Sky,” Daisy complains. “He’s not going to like us anymore. At least this one doesn’t squeak.”

Skylar sets her duffel bag to the side. “I just can’t help it. He’s so damn cute all the time. Besides, it’s a squirrel. I had to get it; that’s how Julius and I met.” She ruffles Cameron’s hair. “Hey, Cameron. Thanks for today.” Then she finally looks at me and her face lights up.

She’s in love with me.And I love her too. I’ve never felt so alive.

I walk up to her and take her face in my hands. “Hey, beautiful.” My lips are on hers before she can answer. Daisy clears her throat, then I feel Skylar’s lips curve up under mine.

“If you greet me like this every day, I’ll be putty in your hands.”

“I thought you already were.”

---