Page 46 of Exposed Ink

* * *

“Oh my God,I’m so full.” Kinsley leans back and rubs her flat stomach. “Those are the best ribs ever. You should consider opening your own restaurant.”

I chuckle and reach over to wipe the corner of her mouth that has some sauce on it. “If I had known food was the key to your heart, I would’ve offered to cook for you sooner.”

She rolls her eyes, but since she doesn’t attempt to flee at the mention of her heart or me touching her, I take that as a double win.

Once we’ve done the dishes, the girls grab snacks and drinks, and we pile on the couch to watch the movies. This time, instead of Kinsley shying away from me when I sit next to her, she snuggles into my side, laying her head on my shoulder.

I don’t know what that means, but it feels like there’s been some kind of shift between us after our conversation at the bookstore. One that I’m not even sure Kinsley is aware of.

Reaching into my pocket, I pull out my box of Sour Patch Kids and pop one into my mouth. Kinsley glances up at me, and I think she’s going to give me shit for eating my favorite snack, but instead, she opens her mouth, silently asking for one.

I reach in and grab a red one and set it on her tongue. Within seconds, her face puckers, making me laugh.

We watch the movie for a few minutes before she reaches into my box and pops another one into her mouth.

“Ugh, why are these so damn good?” she mutters, looking up at me.

“It’s the sweet and sour,” I tell her as my eyes lock on her plump lips, wishing I could kiss her. “I’m telling you, it’s the perfect combination.”

Her cheeks tinge a beautiful shade of pink, telling me she knows I’m referring to her and not the candy, and then she rests her head back on my shoulder, but not before taking another one and eating it.

“Be careful,” I warn, my voice low so Taylor can’t hear. “They’re addictive.”

“I think I’ll take my chances,” she murmurs, grabbing one more.

* * *

Not even thirty minutes later,soft snores fill the room, making Taylor and me lock eyes and quietly laugh.

“She’s not a very good movie watcher,” Taylor says, pausing the movie. “At this rate, it’s going to take us a month before we finish them.”

“I think she’s emotionally drained,” I tell her, thinking back to our earlier conversation at the bookstore. “All of this is a lot for her. She’s spent the past few years isolating herself from everyone.”

“When she told me she lost her husband and baby, my heart hurt for her,” my daughter says softly. “She’s so nice, and I hate when bad things happen to good people. Sometimes, life can be so unfair.”

“Yeah, it can be,” I agree.

“So, are you going to wake her up or let her sleep?”

I glance down at Kinsley, sleeping peacefully. “I think I’m going to let her sleep.”

Taylor shakes her head but grins. “Okay, then I’m heading to bed. Casey has texted me a million times, wanting to tell me about her and her new boyfriend.”

Taylor heads up to her room, and I switch from the movie to a game that’s on, letting Kinsley continue to sleep.

* * *

At some point,I must’ve fallen asleep as well because when I wake up, I’m met with sleepy blue eyes staring up at me.

“Morning,” I rasp.

“Morning,” she says lazily, making no move to get up. “I don’t think we finished the movie.”

I chuckle. “No, and Taylor joked that it’s going to take a month to finish them.”

Kinsley groans and sits up. “I can usually stay awake.” She pouts, her brows bunching together. “There’s just something about …this housethat has me passing out.”

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