Page 29 of Easy Reunion
“I mean, think about it, shoes are better than men. You can mix and match, have multiples, and they won’t let you down unless you do something stupid.” I whirl on the four-and-a-half-inch royal blue stilettos that cradle my feet. “Tell me, after everything I shared, would you be willing to give this guy a chance?”
“Probably not,” she admits. “But Kee, the thing is, you have to be willing to bend to let someone in at some point.”
I take in her words, knowing I’ll process them over and over. In the short amount of time we’ve spent together, Charly has shown herself to be a sharp-witted, outgoing, and generous woman. I wish this were something I could figure out. My eyes drifting closed, I quickly click my heels together slowly. Once, twice, a third time.
“Did you just wish yourself home?” Her laughter is like a boomerang around the store.
With a quick smirk to hide my embarrassment over being caught making a wish, I shake my head. “That was a wish for the fall line to come out sooner rather than later.”
Our giggles muffle the bell over the store. But nothing hides the dark whiskey voice that says, “You’re lucky I love you,chère. We’ve been awake for three days straight trying to fix the Larruscain deal.” Both of us turn, and I see male perfection sauntering toward us holding a bag out to Charlie. “Simon said this was the gift.”
“It is. Kee, this is my brother, Eli. Eli, this is Kee Long. She’s the author Sam’s gone wild about, sugar. This is going to make me his favorite aunt.”
“For about a minute, Charly,” he retorts. Even so, Eli steps forward and reaches for my hand, narrowing sharp eyes at me. “A pleasure to meet you. Are you from New Orleans?” But the way he drawls it, it comes out as “A plea-suh to meet you. Are you from N’ Awlins?” sending divine chills up my spine.
I shake his hand back firmly. “Thank you. I’ve only recently moved here. It’s been lovely getting acquainted with your city.”
His eyes drift over to the box of shoes Charly has lined up for me before he bursts out in laughter. “And apparently, my sister.” Holding out the package to Charly, he leans against the counter.
“Do either of you have a pen?” Eli reaches into his pocket, pulling one out, his eyes still studying me. “Is Sam a ‘Samantha’ or a ‘Samuel’?”
Charly fist pumps the air, confusing me as Eli’s mask of composure drops into one of amusement. “It’s Samuel, but no one has ever asked. Because our family is in the papers more often than not…”
“Especially with who Sam’s dad is,” Eli interjects.
“That too,” Charly agrees. “We just automatically assume people know all about us.”
“Oh.” I blank for a moment. “Are you all famous or something?”
Eli’s smile widens. For just a moment, I’m mildly envious of the woman who slid the thick band on the third finger of his left hand. A frown crosses his expression. “If you’ll excuse me.” He steps away to send a text.
Moving over to the counter, I run my hand lovingly over the cover toForgotten, the latest hardback in my series. The cover designer went all out with the tones of blues, appealing to both boys and girls. Flipping quickly to the signature page, I think for a minute before I lower the pen to the paper and scrawl,
Samuel,
Your path isn’t defined by one moment in time, but a series of them, interwoven threads to form the blanket of your life. Yours is firmly based on family. Wrap them close. Having just met them, I know they will guide you true.
Cherish the warmth and love they give you.
XOXO,
Kee Long.
Blowing lightly on the ink, I find Charly and Eli close together. Charly breaks the silence between us. “He will cherish that, Kee.”
“Do you want to see it?” I offer. But Charly shakes her head.
“If Sam is willing to share, he will. However, I’m not opposed to getting a picture to send around our family chat. He’ll go nuts when his mama shows him. That is, if you don’t mind?”
I shake my head. “After what you did for me all day? Of course not.”
“What did she do?” Eli asks curiously.
“Brighten my day, cheer me up about a guy, relieve me of the down payment of my mortgage, you know. Nothing major.” We all share a laugh as Charly retrieves her phone before handing it to her brother.
“Why don’t you stand by Charly’s display,” Eli suggests. “Then, I can get the shop logo in the back.”
We move over. Charly drapes her arm around my shoulders, and I wrap mine around her waist. “So, what kind of man got you down?” Eli says as he fiddles with her phone.
