Page 83 of Can't Kiss the Chef

It’s at that moment I know what I have to do. Lola forgave me. She not only forgave me, she still found a way to love me.

I need to go and at least hear my parents out. I’ve been encouraging my mom to find someone to spend her life with since I left for Westvale. Her life revolved around giving me the best life she could and she succeeded. I wouldn’t trade my childhood for the world. I just never guessed she’d find her partner in a second chance with my dad.

Me:

Okay just text me where and when and I’ll be there.

It’s not the warmest response, but it’s a response telling her I’m coming and I know she’ll be happy about that.

“What’s wrong?” Lola’s voice is groggy. There is just something so damn sexy about a raspy voice.

At the same time as Lola’s question, I open my second message.

Lola:

Lola has added to her listFriendship Do-List

I click the notification causing my notes app to open. The addition is hard to miss. The bold letters stand out. Leaving no question about what Lola wants.

THINGS BYRON CAN DO TO EARN LOLA’S FRIENDSHIP BACK

MAKE LOLA YOUR GIRLFRIEND!!!

1) Bring her coffee to every class

2) I get to get to take Mia for a sleepover once this semester

3) You have to clean out Cookie’s stall three times

4) One full catered dinner for me and my roommates where you need to convince your roommates to be shirtless waiters

5) Get mani and pedis

6) Teach me how to skate

7) Plan a day at the Westvale Fall Festival for our friends and us

8) Do the ropes course at Fall Fest

Lola clears the sleep from her throat, drawing my attention back to her. She is sporting some serious bedhead and there is a little dried drool running down the left side of her chin. She’s still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. I pull her across the bunched up comforter and a sea of discarded pillows and settle her into my arms. I run my thumb along her chin removing all evidence of her deep sleep.

“Well I woke up to two very different messages,” I tell her.

Lola straightens up and scoots her way onto my lap. I pull the bright red scrunchie out of her hair and absentmindedly start running hands through her short locks.

“The first one was from my mom.”

Her eyes snap to mine.

“She asked me to meet with her and my dad for breakfast.”

I check my phone and see that my mom sent me the time and diner she wants to meet at.

“They want to meet at eleven at a diner down the block.”

“Are you going to go?”

Other than Jalen, Lola is the one person I’ve talked about how my lack of a relationship with my dad has affected me. She understands the weight of this decision.

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