Page 8 of Calculated Kisses with a Scorpio
“No, ma’am. Finley has every right to be upset, and whatever solution she searches for, Diamonds & Moore will back one hundred percent. I noticed this was the piece that caught her attention and know that had she not gotten interrupted, she would have made the purchase. It’s definitely an apology purchase, but not because I have a motive. She wanted it, so she will have it.” His left eyebrow rose as his eyes met mine, and I didn’t like my body’s reaction to the action.
Mommy cleared her throat, bringing my attention to her.
“Well, it sure is beautiful. We appreciate it. Stay for dinner so your trip isn’t wasted.”
Kairo nodded, and I squinted at him then grilled my mother as she left the gazebo. She was definitely going to be put in a nursing home for her treason. I pulled the bracelet from its casing and stuck out my right arm for Kairo to put the bracelet on.
If I’d never fallen in real love in my life before this moment, I was sure it happened when the tips of this man’s fingers grazed the inside of my wrist.
Jesus be a fence.
No matterwhat went on around me, my eyes always found their way back to Finley.
How could one interaction have me so far outside of myself? Growing up, Pops always commented that he knew my mama was the one for him with just one look. I believed him, but I never saw the same for myself.
I’d dated many women between fifteen and thirty-five and never, . . . but something shifted and turned never into today.
“So Kairo, the chronicle said that you’ll be promoted in just six months. Are you ready? I remember when Kane was about to take over, and he was scared shitless.” Mr. White laughed. “He was cool as a cucumber on the outside, but on the inside, he was trying to convince yo’ mama to grab you and run away.”
I laughed because it was true. Too many times, since I’d been elected, my father told me of the days of him wanting to bail. Pops often let me know that it was okay to be afraid.
“I’m a little nervous, but I know I can handle it. The three locations here helped me prepare to oversee the company as a whole. I know I can’t be as hands on once I’m in my new position, though, and that has me a little stressed, but overall, I feel ready.”
“Nervous is good because this is a big step, but I have faith in you. Your family does a lot of great things for our community, and I know you’ll continue it. I grew up with your parents, so it’s in you to do amazing.”
I smiled at Mrs. White because, although I didn’t know her on a personal level, I could feel that she meant what she said.
We continued to eat and talk around the food. My family had family dinner every Sunday, but since Karter, Kashia, and I no longer lived at home, Sunday was the only time we got together. This family ate together every night . . . I could tell. The front door opened. Finley groaned, and it had me looking over my shoulder.
It was a man and a woman that I assumed were a couple by the way she clung to his arm.
“Look at the convict in her natural habitat.” The man and Mr. White laughed loudly as Finley fumed.
“Why are you here, bird brain? Alana, you can stay, but your husband is not welcome here.”
“I’m sorry, Lee. I told him not to cut up, but you know your brother doesn’t listen to anyone.”
“I wonder where he gets that from.” Mrs. White looked at her husband, but blushed and looked away when he blew her a kiss.
I smirked at their interaction because it reminded me of my parents.
The siblings groaned at the parents’ affection, and it definitely put me in the mind of my family. I was introduced to Kemi and Alana, and Finley got up to make their plates after they washed their hands. Kemi was too tickled that Camille had gone as far as she had. I was one year older than Kemi, but seven years older than Finley, so whatever school drama she had never would have crossed my path. Knowing Camille had history with Finley pissed me off even more, because it couldn’t be disputed that she targeted her.
I knew firing Camille wouldn’t be enough, and that pissed me off.
“You all head to the living room to find something for us to watch before it gets too late.”
“Mommy, you can’t kidnap this man. I’m pretty sure he has a plethora of things he can be doing.”
Finley’s eyes met mine as she pleaded with me to agree.
I smirked and shrugged. “My evening is open. I can stay a little longer if you all don’t mind.”
Murder.
Finley wanted to cut my body up in small pieces and scatter them in her garden. Mrs. White clapped and ushered us out of their kitchen. Their home was small but homey and filled with pictures beginning when Mr. and Mrs. White were children to what looked like last year’s Christmas. There were family pictures in my childhood home, too, but the Whites seemed like the type that documented every moment.
I liked it, and suddenly, a thought popped into my head that I was sure would have these people chasing me out of their home with a pitchfork.
