Page 63 of Free to Run
Dressing quickly, I walk over to the full-length mirror in my room. Corinna’s choice of color does add a punch of color, making my eyes appear bluer. The suit’s trim fit and my sky-high heels show I mean business.
Pressing a hand to settle the butterflies dancing in my stomach, I grab my black briefcase from the closet and make my way downstairs. Peeking out the window, I find Keene’s Audi is already parked out front.
I open the door, saying, “I just need another minute to finish transferring my bag.”
“Hold on a moment, Alison.” Keene steps over the threshold then stands back before circling around me.
I start to feel anxious when he doesn’t say anything. “What?” I demand in my most pugnacious voice.
“We’re in agreement that this is date number one, right?” he asks.
“We are.”
“Good, then I’m doing this here versus at the office.” Reaching for my hand, he tugs me toward him and pulls me into his arms. In these heels, his head doesn’t have as far to descend before his lips land on mine. I’m already lost in him, and he walked in the door a little less than a minute ago.
Pulling back slightly, I nibble on his lower lip. “I’m hungry.”
He thrusts his tongue back into my mouth for another foray. “So am I.”
I push at his chest, and he pulls away reluctantly. “For food, Keene. And I’m desperate for coffee. I need to get my bag.”
He gestures with his arm. “Lead the way.”
Walking in front of him, I add an extra little sway to my hips, causing him to groan. “In case you couldn’t tell, baby, I really like the suit. Sexy, powerful, and delicate. It’s perfect for you.”
I beam at him, right before making my way over to the kitchen counter to finish transferring my briefcase. Soon, we’re in his Audi and on the way to The Coffee Shop.
On our first official date.
* * *
“She seriously did not dipyour hair in food coloring.” Keene is astonished. He drinks his coffee and asks, “How did you not kill her?”
“First, it was Cori,” I explain. “Second, I got a kickass haircut out of the deal.” I toss my hair back and forth.
Keene smiles slowly. “I always wondered what makes women decide to have long or short hair. Now that’s one mystery of the world solved. Psychotic sisters.”
Cracking up, I reach for my mocha—extra chocolate, of course. Taking a sip, I put the cup down and try to explain. “It’s not that I wasn’t pissed—I was. Completely. But it wasn’t like she poured it over my head or brushed it in stripes. She just dipped the ends in. If I wanted to, the ends were easy enough to snip off and I could’ve grown it back.”
“Do I ever get to see pictures of you with long hair? I’m fascinated by the concept of this.” Keene forks a bite of his eggs, lifting them to his full lips.
I grin. “Just ask any of the family when we’re at the main building of the farm. There are closets filled with photos of all of us. However, remind whomever you ask that I get to pull out the albums as well.”
“Some pretty bad ones?” Keene’s grinning as well.
“At one point, Em thought Aqua Net was her best friend. Her hair used to reach out to here”—I gesture to my shoulder width—“pretty much every day. Phil tried every color of the rainbow at least once. Holly tried to work dreads for about two weeks before the lack of washing her head got to her.”
Keene’s deep laughter booms off the walls of The Coffee Shop.
Ava scurries up with a coffeepot at that moment. “Keene, do you want me to top you off? Ali, honey, do you want a cup to go today?”
I glance over Ava’s shoulder at the clock. Just after eight thirty. “Yes, please. I’ll take one to go.” I look over at Keene.
“Same for me, Ava. Actually, can I get a second one for Caleb as well?”
“Not a problem. You two keep talking and I’ll get your check ready, or should I put it on the business account?”
Just as I’m about to open my mouth, Keene responds to her with, “I got it.” He reaches into his back pocket and pulls out his wallet. Removing a few bills, he hands them to her. “Keep whatever’s left for the fundraising you’re doing for K9s for Warriors.”
