Page 34 of Pour Timing

“What’s that?”

“We take the Porsche.”

Chapter17

Matt

Friday night couldn’t come fast enough. It was a warm night, perfect for putting the top down on the Porsche. Just being in this car makes me feel like a kid again, and having Kylie next to me? Well, it’s everything great about being back home.

I run my hands through my hair and stare at myself in the mirror. I adjust the collar on my button-down and smooth the front of the shirt over my chest. I undo my belt, reposition it, then tighten it once more. Play with my hair one more time and?—

“Dad, stop fidgeting.”

I look in the mirror to see him standing in the doorway behind me. “I’m not. I’m just?—”

“Fidgeting. And wasting time. You were supposed to drop me off at Grandma and Pop’s ten minutes ago.”

I try to hide my smile and raise a brow at his calling me out instead. “I’m almost ready. Go get your bag and I’ll be out in a minute.”

He drops his arms to his sides with exasperation and turns from the doorway. “She already likes you. I don’t know why this is such a big deal.”

I hear his feet pad down the hallway and look at myself again in the mirror. Whyisthis a big deal? Maybe it’s really not. It’s just me and Ky. Like it used to be. But there's a lot of time in between.I take a breath and let it out slowly.

“She’s fun. She’s easy to be around. Stop overthinking.”

My phone goes off with a text and I can only imagine it’s my mother wondering where I am.

Danny: Heard there's an opening in the calendar.

Me: No parties for you.

Danny: And no weddings for you. At least not yet.

Me: The wine event is over so now we’re back to gossip?

Danny: No gossip. Just facts.

Danny: Heard you have a big date tonight.

Me: Of course you heard.

Danny: Make sure you pick her up in that fancy car of yours.

Me: Stop talking to my mother.

Danny:

I walk into the kitchen and find Liam waiting with his backpack on, twirling the Porsche keys. “Pick her up in style, Dad.” He tosses me the keys and I catch them.

“This town talks way too much. Let’s go.”

Ma was at the door waiting for Liam when I pulled in so I waved and didn’t get out. Liam went running to her and I watched for a moment as his face lit up when she hugged him hello, once again cementing the idea that moving here was the best idea for him.

I backed out of my parents’ driveway, drove for a mile, and pulled into Kylie’s driveway, but before I could jump out, she was already strutting toward the car, with her long, lean legs in a short flyaway skirt that waved in the breeze. A fitted long sleeve shirt tucked in that accentuated her curves. Curves that I got a quick taste of but curves that I need to be better reunited with.

I round the car quickly, meeting her at the passenger door. “You’re stunning.”

“Stunning? Wow. That’s quite a compliment, Mr. Byrne.”

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