Page 9 of Banking on Love

“Yes, ma’am. That’d be a yes,” I replied. Kimberly and Kallia high-fived again.

“Alright. We are off to bed. Need our beauty rest. You kids drive safely,” Kallia said, pulling Kimberly out of the living room and down the hallway.

“Hey!” Kensi laughed. “You need to lock this damn door!”

“We will!” they shouted in response.

“They’re going to be the death of me,” she giggled.

“They seem like good kids,” I replied. She nodded her head and smiled.

“They really are.” She laughed at something then headed towards the front door. “Ready?”

I walked over to the door then opened it wide.

“After you, Beautiful.” My words came out absentmindedly. A cringe-worthy, creep moment. If I had known my way around the town, I would have high-tailed it out of the house and never looked back.

Chapter Five

KENSI

As much as I wanted to gush over his compliment, I held it in. The poor bastard looked scared to death. His own words had put a fear in him. I wasn’t sure what to say or do. Part of me wanted to laugh because of his facial expression, but another part of me felt sorry for him.

“Um… Guess we should go,” I offered him half a smile. He didn’t say anything. He just smiled and gestured for me to lead the way.

Quickly, I scurried out the front door. Nick followed closely behind me and soon we were in my car on our way. To where I wasn’t sure.

“Which street do you live on?” I asked before we got too far in our journey.

“Love Way,” he groaned, making me laugh.

“At least you don’t live on Sweethearts Lane,” I teased.

“There is a Sweethearts Lane?” he chuckled.

“Oh yeah. That’s where all the youngins go to makeout.” I couldn’t help but laugh. Cupid’s Cove was the modern-dayMayberryfrom theAndy Griffith Show. The only difference was that we had aWalmart.

“I’m surprised it hasn’t been shut down by the local sheriff or granny,” he mused.

“Me too to be honest,” I admitted. “Guess it’s just part of the town’s history so they don’t want to change that.”

“Makes sense.”

“Still weird. I’ve never been there but I threatened Kimberly and Kallia. They better not ever get caught up there. I’ll have their heads,” I huffed.

“You’ve never been up there?” He turned in his seat and stared at me. I glanced at him, but then turned my attention back to the road.

“Did I strike you as a makeout whore?”

“What? No!” he blurted. “I didn’t mean that at all. I just meant that–”

“Relax, Nick. I was just giving you a hard time.” I glanced at him and giggled. “Breathe.”

“I’m trying. I’m trying,” he laughed. “Dam near had a heart attack. Didn’t want you thinking I saw you… some type of way.”

“No. You’re fine. I was just giving you a hard time.”

“That does relieve me some,” he chuckled softly. “Still feeling kind of creepy for my beautiful comment. Sorry if I made you feel weird. Or something.”

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