CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Ice Cream Kisses
Shelby—
Peering in the full-length department store mirror, I have to admit… the dress looks good on me.
“Oh, Shelby, that’s definitely the one,” Jenny says, standing behind me.
“Mommy looks pretty.” Bella gives me a hug. “Can I get a new dress, too?”
“Maybe next time, pumpkin,” Jenny replies. “This is for a special date your mom is going on tomorrow.”
“It’s not a date. It’s a wedding,” I clarify.
“Same thing. He asked you, didn’t he?”
“You’re sure this is suitable?” It’s a slinky black dress that skims my body to just above my ankle. There’s a slim strap over one shoulder, leaving the other bare. A slit on the right side exposes my leg to the thigh when I move.
“Rio is going to love it, babe.” Jenny smiles, peering at me in the mirror.
“It’s not too much?”
“It’s elegant and classy, but plenty sexy for your man.” She turns and whispers the rest in my ear. “And he can slip his hand inside that slit.”
“You’re so bad,” I hiss.
“Is Rio your man, Mommy?” Bella asks, and I give Jenny a glare.
Squatting, I take her hands. “I like him a lot, Bella.”
“I like him, too. And Hurley likes him, so he must be a good guy, right?”
“Right.”
She looks at my reflection. “I like the princess one better.”
“Yes, baby. But I don’t want to look prettier than the bride, do I?”
“Maybe you can wear it to your wedding, Mommy.”
“My wedding?”
“Someday, right?”
“Right. Someday.”
“I’m going to wear one like it when I get married,” she says, twirling.
“Well, let’s hope that’s a long way off, peanut.”
“Can we go get ice cream from Blitzy’s, Mommy?”
“If you wait quietly while I pay for this. Deal?”
“Deal.” She throws her arms in the air like she just won a prize.
An hour later, we sit at one of the tables in front of Blitzy’s, Bella happily eating an ice cream cone.
“This brings back memories, huh?” Jenny says.
“I can’t believe this place is still here.”
“Of course it is. It’s an icon, a rite of passage. Look at those teens over there. That used to be us.”
The distant roar of some motorcycles carries to us. Both of us turn to check the street.
I spot them half a block down. Two bikes riding side by side.
When they get close, I recognize it’s Rio and Zig, and I wave, catching their attention. They both turn into the lot, back their bikes into a spot, and dismount.
Rio’s shoulders roll as he comes toward me with the sexiest walk. Damn, he looks good in that leather cut.
Reaching us, he cups my nape and tilts my head up for a kiss. When he lifts his mouth from mine, I notice every teenager gawking.
“You find a dress, babe?”
“She did, and it’s gorgeous,” Jenny replies for me.
Rio grins. “Fantastic.” He takes my spoon from my hand and steals a scoop of butter pecan, moaning around the mouthful. “That’s good.”
“Look, Rio. I got a chocolate ice cream cone.” Bella holds it up proudly.
“Oh, man. That looks really good, kiddo.”
“It is.” She takes another lick. Then holds it out to him. “Want some?”
He chuckles. “Maybe next time, honey. You enjoy that one.”
“Jenny is going to watch Bella tomorrow night at her place,” I say, commandeering my spoon back and taking another scoop.
“Excellent.”
“What time are you picking me up tomorrow?” I ask.
“Ceremony starts at 4:30, so I guess about an hour before.”
“I’ll be ready.” My eyes sweep over him. “What are you wearing? Do you have a suit?”
“Heading into town to find something right now.” He gives me a wink. “Don’t worry, I’ll do you proud.” He tugs on my hand. “Walk with me to my bike.”
“Okay. Bella, wait here with Jenny, okay? I’ll only be a minute.”
“Okay, Mommy.”
Rio leads me over to the curb, then turns to face me. “Just wanted you to know that Carson was denied bail today. I know you were worried about that.”
“Thank God. I appreciate you letting me know.”
He looks over my shoulder toward the table of teenage girls. “Seems like just yesterday that was you.”
I follow his eyes and grin. “Guess so.”
He takes my palm and strokes over the spot where he wrote his number. “God, how I wanted you to call me, but you didn’t.”
“Maybe I would have if things hadn’t spun out of control.”
“I’d like to think you would have. I sometimes think about if things had gone differently.”
“What would have happened?” I play along.
“I wouldn’t have gotten arrested, and I probably would have talked you into leaving town with me.” He rubs his thumb across my lower lip.
“Is that right?” I whisper.
His eyes go over my shoulder to the table of teens. “Let’s give ‘em a show.”
Before I realize what he means, he’s kissing me passionately, devouring my mouth, his hand cupping my ass to drag me against him.
I break off, laughing. “My daughter’s right over there.”
“She’ll get used to it. I think she knows I like her mom.”
I glance over, and she smiles and waves at us, then giggles.
“All right. I’ll let you go.” He gives me a quick peck on the lips. “Gotta go get a suit to impress my girl.”
The two bikes roar out, and I can’t help waving and grinning. When I turn around, the teenage girls are all staring at me, so I wink. “That’s my man. He’s fantastic in bed.”
Their collective mouths drop open, and I walk away, humming.