Page 33 of Where We Found Our Home
“Ahh, of course.”
“Are you busy today?”
“For you? Never. What’d you have in mind?”
“Could you come to my mommy’s shop and visit us?” I was planning on writing from home today, but with the mood I’m in all of my characters are going to end up getting picked off so it’s best I take a break. Plus, I need a Nevaeh hug. She gives the best hugs.
“I would love to. Give me twenty minutes and I’ll be right over, okay?”
“Okay!” Her excitement is so contagious.
I head over to my closet, suddenly happy to get the rest of my day started.
That little girl is nothing but trouble. Lesson learned. When little Nevaeh asks you to do something, ask for details because chances are she’s playing you.
I was prepared to spend my day with the little brat and Sasha. I was not prepared to see the man I cannot get out of my head, in reality and in my dreams, in full uncle mode with Reggie’s kids, Malcolm and Denise.
“Hey, what are you up to today?” Lincoln asks when he puts his niece back on the ground after spinning her around for what seemed like forever. He’s not even remotely winded. He could definitely toss me around.
And I am going straight to hell for having that thought with children present. Oh well. Insert Kanye shrug here.
“I don’t know, Nevaeh, what am I up to today?”
“Oh Lord. What did you do, little girl?” Sasha asks her daughter.
“I just wanted Ciara to hang out with us.” Oh damn, she’s already mastered the art of choosing your words carefully. Sasha is in for an adventure with this one.
“This is true. I just didn’t know who ‘us’ was.” Nevaeh smiles proudly, and I don’t think I’ve ever wanted to shake a child until this very moment. She’s so damn cute though.
Lincoln’s eyes twinkle with amusement, and he wiggles those bushy eyebrows at me before motioning to the other two kids. “Ahh, she got you with the wordplay I see. Welp, you’re here now. Ciara, this is my nephew, Malcolm, and this is my niece Denise. We just call her Niecy though. Guys, this is our friend, Ciara.”
Malcolm throws me a head nod and Niecy gives me a small wave. “Hi,” they say in unison.
“Hey, guys. Thanks for letting me hang with you today.”
“No problem. Nevaeh never shuts up about you,” Malcolm says.
“We’re going to the park and then we’re going to the arcade and then Uncle Linc’s house.” Niecy lays out the agenda.
“Oh, well I’ve definitely picked the right day to tag along then. Lead the way.” Except to Lincoln’s house. I don’t want to step foot inside the place where that hunk of man gets naked every night. Nope. No, thank you.
“Good luck!” Sasha calls out, and I can’t even process what she may mean by that.
We’re at the park when a chocolate lab runs by dragging his owner along with him. “Ooh, look at that puppy. I want a puppy so bad. Linky, will you tell my mommy to get me a puppy?” Nevaeh begs.
“Absolutely not. I like my balls, and I’d like to keep them where they are.” Lincoln shakes his head as he speaks. Malcolm laughs, and Niecy makes a disgusted face.
“What are balls?” I laugh at Nevaeh’s question and throw my hands up in surrender.You’re on your own here, buddy.
“Ummm. Woah, look at that puppy!” He points to a French bulldog running around with its owner.
“Ooh, where?” Nevaeh turns and awws at the puppy cuteness.
I look at Lincoln, and we have a whole conversation with our eyes.
Nice save.
Thanks. That was a close one.
