Page 19 of Calculated Kisses with a Scorpio
“No. The love for plants and flowers comes from my grandmother. I think from the moment I could put one foot in front of the other, I followed her all around her different gardens. Touching grass grounds me. I read Accidentally in Love with You by Kaye Lovett about three years ago and have been doing it ever since. The way the author wrote that grounding scene between her two main characters, I just knew it was something I had to try. Any chance I get to feel the earth beneath my feet, I take. My love of water comes from something I made up about being a water sign. It’s just another way to recharge. My showers are pretty long, especially if I had a rough day. It’s as if when the water hits my skin, a piece of me is replenished.”
“I hear that and can respect it. If I can remember correctly, I think I’m a Scorpio. So that would make me a water sign too. I’m going to test your shower theory.”
“You are, and it may do you some good to give it a try.”
I looked at Kairo over my shoulder and smiled.
He was a lot more laid-back than I would have thought. I’d never met a person as rich as him, but from what I watched on television, they were all stuck-up and annoying. Kairo nor his family was anything like that. We sat in the quiet for a while andI enjoyed it. When I was with Benny, every moment had to be filled with noise or some type of activity.
The fact that Kairo could exist in silence moved me.
“What did you want to talk about?” I asked while leaning back on my hands and kicking my feet.
“The fundraiser is Saturday, so we need to discuss how our night will go. I have my stylist coming to your house tomorrow to get you fitted for your dress. When we’re at the event, do you mind a little PDA? Hand holding, a kiss to your temple, or just affection period?”
“I’m going to be your wife, so no, I don’t mind. Just remember you promised thirty days of us getting to know one another.”
Kairo bumped his shoulder against mine, leaned over, and pressed his lips to my ear.
“You may not see it right now, but it’s gon’ always be whatever you want. I like you, and I can’t wait to see where our journey takes us . . . Just know it’ll outlast thirty days.”
The Fundraiser
My nerves were all over the place, and my palms were sweaty.
I was second-guessing being here. I didn’t belong in this crowd, and I felt that truth grow the closer we got to the front door. There was paparazzi and a red carpet, and all I kept thinking about was how my face would be plastered all over the news in the morning.
Kairo stopped walking, turned me toward him, and grabbed my face.
“You’re physically shaking. If you don’t want to be here, we can go.”
I shook my head and placed my hands on his.
“No, no. I’m okay. I’m nervous, but I know how important this night is. I’ll shake the nervousness. Promise.”
“Aight. If that changes, let me know. I don’t care what I’m doing.”
I blew out a breath and nodded.
Kairo and I stared at each other a second longer before he nodded. He grabbed my hand and led me inside. My eyes scanned the room in awe. Everything was decorated in burgundy, cream, and gold.
Toward the back was a huge digital sign that read 6.5 million, with a sign above it that readTHANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTION!
“Kairo, Finley!” I turned and was immediately greeted by Kairo’s parents.
His mother pulled me into her arms.
“Hey.” Kairo hugged both his parents, and Mr. Moore gave me a side hug. “Y’all been here long?”he asked when I was back under his arm.
“For about fifteen minutes. We’re seated over there.” Mrs. Moore used her thumb to point over her shoulder.
I felt eyes on me, so I looked around until my eyes landed on Camille and a white man.
It was clear as day that they were staring at me because of how quickly they looked away when they realized they’d been caught. I squeezed Kairo’s hand, and he looked down at me. I used my eyes to indicate where he should look. His eyes followed my direction, and he frowned. He told me not to worry aboutthem, but there was something in his features that went against what he said to me.
Mr. Moore and Kairo had a silent conversation with their eyes.
“Let’s go get us a drink.” Mrs. Moore looped her arm through mine and pulled me away.
