Page 10 of Calculated Kisses with a Scorpio
“Dead ass. I just found my future wife, and I see this shit going further than obligation. It goes beyond the way she looks, her short ass just does something to me. I thought I was trippin’ at the store, but tonight when I was in her presence, it was like a bubble formed around us, and only she and I existed.”
“Damn, baby girl got you ready to write poetry and shit.” We laughed, and I shook my head because he wasn’t lying. “What her pops say?”
I broke down our conversation, and Von agreed.
He wanted to know how I planned to step to Finley, but I had no idea. I knew that whatever it was, I would have to be intentional because although Mr. White said the past year had been tough on her, I could see her strength. The woman had almost gone to jail, and someone from the outside looking in would have sworn she was having a regular day. At the store, her shoulders had been up by her ears, the features of her face were pinched, and her movements choppy. In just a few hours and in her home, she seemed free and at peace.
The calmness that had wrapped its arms around her had me ready to make sure she always felt like that.
“I should have bet Pops that I didn’t need him or Ma’s help because he gave me thirty days to find someone on my own. Who knew it would only take a few hours?”
“God.”
I chuckled. “Yeah. This is only by His divine intervention.”
I could barely sleep the night before because my mind was on how I’d approach Finley.
Today I’d pull up on her because time was of the essence. When I finally got out of bed, I went straight to my home gym. I wasn’t a gym rat, but diabetes ran in my family, so I did whatever I could to keep my odds low.
After my workout, I headed upstairs and found Kashia raiding my refrigerator.
“Do you mind, stinky?” She pushed me away when I tried to hug her.
“I do mind, actually. Why you here?” I caught the bottled water she tossed at me.
“Just wanted to see my big brother. How was yesterday? Mommy told me Daddy gave you ninety days to get married, and Von told us that you let Camille go.”
She smiled at me, and I knew exactly what that look meant.
Kashia knew that I wasn’t ready to make her a district manager, so it wasn’t a surprise that she wanted Camille’s position. Currently, she was a floor manager for our Harbors Glen location and could run a store with her eyes closed. I wouldn’t fight her on moving up, but I’d still have to speak with my father. Kashia was the baby and the only girl, so she’d get her way.
Plus, she was serious about family business and would do what needed to be done for her store.
“You sure you need me to run things down? Sound like you already know what’s up.”
“Whatever. Let me hear it from you. Ninety days seem close as hell. Are we ready for that?”
I laughed as she took a bite out of one of my apples.
“We? If you had asked me yesterday morning, my answer would have been hell no, but I am sure we’re ready for that.”
Kashia studied me and smirked, but I shook my head.
She should have been a detective because she would have been amazing at it. If I wasn’t careful, she would pull the information about Finley out of me long before I was ready. Von ran his mouth about company business, but I didn’t have to worry about him when it came to my personal business. After talking for a little bit, I went to shower, and Kashia went to the theater room.
I was on a mission today, so it didn’t take me long to get ready.
“Aight, bighead, I’m out. Call me when you leave.” I stuck my head into the theater room.
“Alright, brother. I might be here all day since I’m off, and Karter is too busy being a husband.” She rolled her eyes, and I laughed hard.
“How rude of him to want to spend time with his wife.” I smirked and she waved me off.
I walked into the room, kissed her forehead, and dropped a few bills into her hand in case she got hungry.
As I left my house, I checked my email to make sure I was making good time. I was on my way to Finley’s job and should be arriving around her lunchtime. On my way to her, I stopped at Mary’s Flower Shop to get a flower arrangement of sunflowers.
Finley had a tiny sunflower tattoo on her neck right under her hairline.
