Page 29 of Banking on Love

“Get a room already!” Kimberly shouted from inside the house, making Kensi and I both laugh.

“Hi, Kimberly!” I called out.

“Don’t forget me too,” Kallia said as she and Kimberly came into view, in the living room. They were both smiling mischievously. “We like lasagna too.”

“That we do,” Kimberly grinned. Kensi shook her head and groaned. “Relax. We are just kidding. You two kids go have fun.”

“I didn’t mean to interrupt a girls’ night,” I said, looking down at Kensi.

“Interrupt all you want, Nick. Buddy ole pal.” Kallia nudged me with her elbow playfully. “We like you so we are willing to share our sister’s time with you.”

Kalli and Kimberly both smiled at me. I could tell by the look in their eyes that their smiles were genuine. They truly cared about Kensi’s happiness. Over the past week, anytime they saw me, they made sure to tell me how badly they wanted Kensi to be happy. And, how they hoped I’dstop being a chickenand ask her out.

“Why are you laughing?” Kensi asked. I looked to find her eyebrow raised and Kimberly and Kallia frowning disapprovingly.

“Sorry, ladies,” I chuckled. “I was just thinking about how two little birdies keep calling me a chicken.”

“Two little birdies? A chicken?” Kensi glanced over her shoulder back at her sisters. They both stood wide-eyed, shaking their heads. “Spill it.”

“Misunderstanding!” Kimberly blurted. “Right, Nick?”

Now, all three of them were staring at me. I felt like a giant spotlight was shining down on me. There was no way in hell I wanted any of these ladies upset with me.

“Who wants lasagna?” I asked smiling. They groaned loudly and rolled their eyes in unison. It was like I was seeing double– well, triple in this case. “What?” I laughed.

“You aren’t slick, Mister,” Kensi waved a finger in my face.

“Agreed,” Kallia hmphed.

“Oh, come on, Kallia. Don’t be mad,” I gave her puppy-dog eyes and hoped like hell it’d work. Kensi and Kimberly smirked. Kallia turned her head quickly but not before I saw her smile. “Good. You forgive me.”

“Hush. Just go spoil our sister with lasagna and then take Kimberly and me to the Festival of Love tomorrow for Valentine’s Day,” Kallia said with her nose turned upwards and her arms crossed in front of her chest.

“Crap. Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day, huh?” I sighed dramatically. Kallia and Kimberly shook their heads disappointingly. Kensi made a weird face. A cross between sad, confused, and disheartened. “I’m kidding, Kensi.”

“What?” she gasped.

“I didn’t forget what tomorrow is,” I kissed her softly. “This is the first Valentine’s I’m excited about. I have three,” I held up three fingers and looked at Kimberly and Kallia, “lovely ladies to impress.”

“Us too?” Kallia asked excitedly.

“Of course. Package deal.”

Kimberly and Kallia squealed like pigs. Before I could even say another word, they hugged Kensi and me as if their lives depended on it. They jumped up and down happily as they squeezed the life out of us.

“Okay. We can’t breathe. Sheesh,” Kensi giggled.

“He thought about us too, Kenz!” Kallia cheered.

“You’re such a nice guy, Nick. I don’t care what Kensi says about you,” Kimberly laughed.

“Hey!”Kensi swatted Kimberly. “He might actually believe you, brat.”

“He knows I’m only teasing. A blind man can tell you’re in lo–” Kimberly didn’t get a chance to finish her sentence. Kensi clapped a hand over Kimberly’s mouth and gave her the death look.

“Shut. Up… Please,” Kensi whispered with her eyes pleading with Kimberly.

I wondered if the word Kimberly was going to say was love. The thought of Kensi loving me made me want to smile like an idiot and sing it from the rooftops, which was funny because a few months ago, that word would have scared the shit out of me. Not now though. One week in Cupid’s Cove had changed my entire outlook on life and made me want to settle down with one woman– Kensi Wallace.

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