Page 24 of Big Easy
My dad approaches and laughs. "Forgotten already, huh?"
"Yep," I close the door.
"I've missed you, kid." He embraces me. "Come on. I do believe the women went straight to the kitchen," Dad shoves his hands into his pockets. "Your momma has been on pins and needles all day." We find Sutton and my mom standing at the kitchen island with wine and pie. I shake my head. "Told you. Your Momma has been waiting for this day since the moment you mentioned being in a relationship."
Leaning against the wall, I watch the two most important women in my life as my mom cuts a slice of her famous pecan pie, then pours herself and Sutton some wine.
Sutton searches for me and locks eyes with mine. "Dessert before dinner," she smiles. "I love your mom already." She lifts her fork. "It's so good," she tells my mom after trying her first taste.
"It's my momma's blue-ribbon recipe," Momma says with pride.
I soon feel my dad's eyes on me. "Spit it out, Dad."
"Do you love her?"
"I think so."
"I can tell. There's something different about you. You seem taller somehow, like life isn't weighing you down as much as it used to. I suspect she has a lot to do with it." His perception is accurate, but he's always been able to see things about me most people can't.
"I'd be a liar if I didn't admit that from the moment we laid eyes on one another, I knew she was the one. It's a feeling I find hard to explain." I confess as the two of us talk amongst ourselves while watching the women do the same.
"I get it, Son. I felt the same way when I met your mother." He pauses then smiles as if reliving the memory. "Feels good, doesn't it?"
"Yeah, Dad. It does."
My dad clears his throat, eager to get on with the rest of the night. He claps his hands together. "Alright, woman. I've been smelling the spread you've been cookin' on all day." He strides across the kitchen, snagging my mom around her waist. "Feed me." He plants a kiss on her lips.
Sutton looks up at me after I come to stand beside her. "Babe, this is my dad, Frank." I lean down and kiss her lips, and they taste like caramel.
"Nice to meet you." Sutton looks at him and smiles.
"Same here," my dad replies, smiling back at her.
Stealing some pie, I pop the bite into my mouth, and Sutton beams. "Your mom is going to give me the recipe to take home." Her dimples show her happiness, and she doesn't even realize the significance of my mom's gesture as much as I do.
How'd I get so fucking lucky?
"It's a family secret. You know what that means, don't ya?"
"What?" Sutton asks.
"I'm fuckin' keepin' you forever babe," I say, then kiss her before she has the chance to respond.
8
SUTTON
"Will I see you back at home later, or are you staying with Jaxson again tonight?" Maci asks as I slip my four-inch heels into my duffle bag. We just finished pole class, and I am changing out of my shorts and sports bar into a pair of jeans and a tank. It's been almost two weeks since the trip to New Orleans and I have been spending all my free time with Jaxson.
"I'm staying with Jaxson. I mentioned staying at my place for a few days since we have been spending every free minute we have together, and I figured he could use a break, but he's about to blow a gasket at the notion."
"That man has it bad for you," Maci giggles.
"I know." I beam. "The feeling is mutual."
"I am really happy for you, Sutton. You deserve a good man like Jaxson. You deserve to be happy. I don't care what people say about Jaxson and his club. Any man who can put the kind of smile on your face that you've been sporting the past several weeks is more than okay in my book."
Sitting on the bench beside Maci in the locker room, I put my arm around her. "Thanks, Maci."
