Page 37 of The Deed to a Gangsta's Heart

“And what’s the hard part?”

I looked over at him. “I’m having an overthinking spell. My ex didn’t want me to meet his family for whatever reason. I didn’t have proof he was cheating but I feel like that’s why. I just didn’t want to ask about meeting your people and you say no and I start thinking about that.”

“You’re mine, and I’m yours. There is no one else. As far as meeting my family is concerned, I’d love for you to meet them. Just give me a little time to smooth over this rough patch we’re in, and I’ll make it happen.”

“Okay.” I agreed quietly.

“I value fidelity, Luci. I promise I will never cheat on you. And I will always communicate. On the off chance things didn’t work out between us, I wouldn’t randomly end things with you out of the blue. But I meant what I said at the lounge. I plan on this lasting forever.”

I didn’t realize I needed that validation until he gave it. Leaning against the center console, I connected my lips with his.

I was truly crazy about this man.

22

Remedy

I knew my best friend,so I knew the perfect first date. I was still nervous because of what this moment signified. Sex was easy. We already had an intimate bond and were close. It was natural and organic connecting with her that way. I immediately felt territorial and claimed her as mine. But dating… that was different.

As I knocked on her room door, I held my breath. I wanted to give her the love and romance she deserved. Being softer with her required an intentionality I hadn’t given to other women, and she knew that. The fact that she was still willing to give us a chance meant a lot to me, and it made me want to give her more.

She was in what I loved to see her in throughout the summer—shorts and cowgirl boots. Instead of a crop top, she had on a button down shirt that she’d tied around her waist.I couldn’t stop myself from pulling her close for a kiss. My arms wrapped around her shoulders, and she clung to the back of my shirt.

“You look good, Cal.”

“So do you, cowboy. You only put your boots on if we’re going to the country. Is that where we’re going for our date?”

“Look at the teacher trying to use context clues,” I teased, smacking her ass.

She giggled and lowered her arms to my waist. It made my heart skip a beat knowing she didn’t want to let me go.

“Am I right?”

“Not quite. Let’s go.”

I led her to the elevator, and we silently took it down. I was nervous about how she’d receive this first date, but a part of me knew she’d love it. Instead of going through the garage to get to the car, we went outside.

A whimper escaped her before she looked up at me with watery eyes.

“Babe, no. Is it really them?”

I looked at the two horses and smiled. “Yep. That’s them.”

“Ah! Oh my God!” She jumped on me and hugged me before running down the steps of the patio to get to them. Cookie and Cream were two horses we learned to ride when we were fourteen. I didn’t want to work with my pops over the summer, so he sent me to the ranch to work the stables thinking that would keep me out of trouble. I wasn’t interested, but she was, so I paid enough attention to things to teach her so I’d look like an expert.

Cookie and Cream, named by Callie, were two horses that instantly gravitated to her. Cookie, the black horse, was mine. Cream, the white horse, was hers.

As she cried and loved on them, I took pictures to send to her parents and Luci.

“God, it’s been so long. I stopped visiting them after you got locked up. I can’t believe you have them. How long can we keep them today?”

“Until this evening,” I answered, heading down the steps. “But once I get the stable built back here, they’ll be with us permanently.”

She gasped and dropped her hands. Cream didn’t like that Callie wasn’t rubbing her anymore, so she gently nudged her with her head. Callie’s giggle was like music to my ears.

“I missed you, girl,” she said quietly, hugging Cream. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying, pooh? You bought them for us?”

“I did. I want this to be your home, bae. Whatever I gotta do to make you never want to leave, I’ll do.”

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