Page 18 of Calculated Kisses with a Scorpio
“Don’t make any detours, Kairo. Gammy just took the pot roast out of the oven.”
“I got you, Ma. No stops, straight to the house, right?” I smiled, and Finley and our siblings laughed.
“Keep being cute and get banned from dinner.” She raised her left eyebrow, and I laughed.
I helped Finley down the few steps, opened the passenger side door, and assisted her inside.
Finley was more than capable, but in my presence, I didn’t want her doing too much. Once I was in the car, we sped toward my childhood home. Gospel music played lowly in the background as we sat silently. This was the first time in a long time I’d been in the physical church building.
I was a faithful member of bedside Baptist, but knowing Finley would be there had me up early and out of the house.
“Did you and Camille ever have a relationship?”
I was so caught off guard, I pressed the brake instead of the gas, and the car jerked.
“No, but what made you ask me that?”
She shrugged.
“She almost stared a hole in my head as you helped me in the car. Camille and I haven’t been close in years, but the look she gave me was of one catching her man coming out of another woman’s house. Y’all may not have had a relationship, but y’all surely had something.”
I gave Finley the rundown on the situationship with Camille.
It happened before her, but I needed Finley to be able to trust me. I had nothing to hide, so being transparent would always be my first choice. When we pulled into the circular driveway of my parents’ home, I shut the car off and turned toward her. The intention of having Finley ride with me was for me to check in with her, but her aura was easy to read. She was comfortable with me and simply enjoying the ride.
I had to do everything in my power to keep things this way.
“Does knowing about my past with Camille have you thinking about backing out?”
She shook her head. “No, it doesn’t, but understand that if she gets disrespectful, I will pop her in the mouth. I don’t let people talk to me crazy.”
“I got you. She won’t even have access to you, so I’m not worried.”
I was granted the most beautiful smile. The urge to press my lips against hers was present, but I kept the thought inside my head. The time would come for all of that, and all I could do was pray that she was ready.
“You mind takinga walk with me so we can talk?”
I looked up to find Kairo’s face inches from mine.
My breath stalled as I drew in a shaky breath. I shook my head, and he stood upright, holding out his hand. I took it and allowed Kairo to pull me to my feet.
He linked our fingers and pulled me toward the back of the house.
“Shouldn’t we tell everyone where we’re going?”
“Nah, we good. Pops got cameras around the whole lot, so if they get curious, that’s the first place he’ll look.”
“Okay, good.”
Everyone had paired off during dessert in the family room.
Our parents took up one corner, the younger married couples took another, and Kashia got a phone call that had her rushing out, so Kairo was right about us not being missed. Once we were outside, I removed my heels and went straight for the grass. Kairo joined me, and I noticed his bare feet. Smiling, I walked to the edge of their pool and looked back at him.
Kairo nodded, and I wasted no time sitting on the edge and putting my feet in.
“Talk to me about your fascination with plants, feeling the grass with your feet, and water. Is it all zodiac sign related?”
I giggled and shook my head.
