The Nature of Love (Love in the Spotlight #3)

Chapter 32

Thirty-Two

Driving from Kentucky to Colorado had taught Chris that road trips with kids were full-on events. Packing up a car for a measly drive to Keystone Resort should’ve been much easier. Yet Erykah had stuffed item after item into her car until he informed her there was no more room for anything else. They were only going to be at the lodge for a week, having both agreed it would be better to spend Christmas at the house than at a ski lodge.

Plus, he’d managed to arrange for Lamont and Tuck to join them. They were bringing Nevaeh and Piper, and for once, Chris wouldn’t be the odd man out. He hadn’t told Erykah yet, but hopefully she’d enjoy the surprise. He had it on good authority that she and Piper had connected well and were messaging on a daily basis. He wasn’t sure if they actually talked on the phone or stuck to texts, but Tuck seemed to think Piper couldn’t wait to come to Colorado. That had to be a good thing, right?

“We’re here,” Erykah announced.

Chris put the vehicle in park, thankful Cheyenne would finally stop asking, “Are we there yet?”

“I’ll go check in.”

Erykah nodded.

He went inside and checked in, opting to use the hotel app instead of getting keycards to cut down on waste. As he turned to walk outside, someone called his name.

Lamont strolled across the lobby toward him. A few people did double takes, but when they saw Chris and recognition failed, they went back to their personal conversations. Most likely they’d assumed they weren’t really looking at the Lamont Booker simply because they didn’t recognize Chris.

Lamont gave Chris’s back a slap. “Hey, man. I didn’t realize you guys were here already.”

“I just checked us in. I’m about to lug everything to the rooms. You won’t believe how much Erykah packed.”

“Well, y’all do have a baby with you.” Lamont smirked.

“Wait until you meet the kids. They’re great.”

Lamont studied him. “You like her.”

“What do you mean?” Chris resisted the urge to shift back and forth on his feet.

“Erykah. You like her, like her.”

Chris could feel the back of his neck heating up. “Maybe.”

“I know you two haven’t gone out. We would’ve heard something. And it’s not like you to keep something like that a secret. So what’s the issue?” Lamont folded his arms. “Is it the kids?”

“No, of course not.” Chris removed his beanie, running his hand over his hair. “She’s grieving. Her life’s been turned upside down.”

“Hmm. Have you prayed about asking her out?”

Chris blinked. He’d talked to God about it. God knew Erykah was grieving. The whole instance at Thanksgiving showed that. Not to mention Cameron pointing out that Chris was on his own journey with grief. But what specifically had he told the Lord? Basically what he’d told Lamont.

“I mean, everything I just told you I told Him.”

“Were you asking God to give you wisdom, intervene, or just telling Him how it is and how you’ll respond?”

Why did something like conviction prick at him? “The ... latter?”

Lamont arched a brow.

“Okay. We’ll pick this up later.” After he could ask for forgiveness and not feel shameful for not asking God for direction. “I gotta help Erykah.”

“Let me come with you.”

“Sure. The more hands the better. Plus, I’m sure she’ll love to meet you.”

“Does she know we’re coming?”

“Nope.” Chris smiled. “I wanted it to be a surprise.”

“Does she like surprises?”

“I think so.”

Lamont chuckled. “Good luck.”

They walked outside just in time to see Erykah get out of the vehicle. Her eyebrows shot up when she spied Lamont walking next to Chris. He could feel a grin wanting to escape, but he maintained a pleasant expression.

“Surprise,” Chris said when they drew close enough for her to hear him. “Dr. Erykah Kennedy, meet my friend Lamont Booker. Lamont, this is Erykah.”

“Nice to meet you,” he said, offering his hand.

“And you,” she replied. She turned to Chris. “Is this why you were so antsy today?”

He chuckled. “I should’ve asked if you like surprises.”

“I don’t know that I’ve ever been surprised.”

“Does now count?” Lamont asked.

“Maybe?” she replied hesitantly.

“What if I told you Piper and Tuck are here too?” Chris asked.

Her mouth dropped, then she nodded. “Okay, it counts.”

Lamo nt laughed. “Glad to hear it. Chris said you needed help unloading. Point me in the right direction.”

Chris’s phone made the notification sound. He grabbed the device and saw a message from Tuck.

Tuck

Lamont disappeared. Should I assume he found you?

Chris

Yep. He’s helping unload the car.

Tuck

Should I grab a luggage cart?

Chris

If you wouldn’t mind.

Tuck

Coming right out.

“Tuck’s coming with a cart, so maybe you won’t have to stress your muscles too much, Lamont.”

He snorted. “Good, because I have no idea what I’m supposed to do with a Pack ’n Play or floor mobile.”

“Who are you?” Cheyenne called from her seat.

Chris could see through the back windows that she was trying to contort in her car seat and stare at Lamont.

“I’m Lamont, Chris’s friend.”

“You look familiar.”

Even a five-year-old recognized the movie star?

“How can he when you just met him, Cheye?” Erykah went around to the passenger door and unbuckled her.

Ash must have seen, because she squealed like she wanted to be let out too. Erykah took her out next, then used one of those wrap things to secure the baby to her front.

Cheyenne came around to the back of the car and squinted at Lamont. Then she reared back and gasped. “You’re Mr. Quick!” she shouted.

“Che yenne, not so loud,” Erykah scolded.

“But, Aunt Erykah, he’s Mr. Quick.”

“Who?”

Lamont’s face flushed, and Chris burst out laughing. He’d never thought Lamont would ever look uncomfortable about a film he’d acted in. However, the movie had been considered a flop by box office standards, similar to Ryan Reynolds’s portrayal of Green Lantern. Lamont had played Mr. Quick, aka Tad Thomas, the man with super speed.

“It’s a movie I was in,” Lamont answered Erykah, then squatted before her niece. “I’m an actor. I’m not really Mr. Quick.”

“So you just pretend?” Cheyenne tilted her head to the side.

“I do.”

“Isn’t that lying?”

God bless Cheye. Chris couldn’t wait to tease Lamont later.

“No. Pretending is my job. So kids like you can have something to watch.”

Chris could tell Cheye was mulling all the information over.

“You get paid to lie?”

Lamont’s face flushed again, and it was all Chris could do not to add in a comment or two.

“Something like that,” Lamont muttered.

“I will pray for you,” Cheyenne said primly.

Erykah and Chris both laughed. Chris clutched his side, slapping a hand on Lamont’s back. “The things kids say, huh?” He huffed, trying to keep his laughter under control, but it was tough.

Chris glanced at Erykah to see her wiping tears from her eyes. She caught his gaze, and her grin widened. Kids , she mouthed.

He nodded. Cheyenne , he mouthed back.

He had never met a kid like her. Then again, probably most parents thought like that.

He blinked. Was Cheyenne like a daughter to him?

You do pick her up from the bus stop, feed her, wash her clothes, and put a roof over her head.

No. It was different. She was Erykah’s niece and responsibility. Chris just helped. Yet he couldn’t help but wonder what Cameron would have to say about it. Had she listened to some podcast that talked about who could feel like a parent and who couldn’t?

“Got the cart,” Tuck called. He stopped the luggage cart next to the vehicle, and Lamont began loading it up. Tuck said hi to Erykah as Chris grabbed the last item out of the trunk.

“You got everything?” Erykah asked.

“Yep.”

Erykah closed the passenger door. “Do you want to hand me the room key?”

“It’s on the app.” He unlocked his phone, opened the app, and showed her.

“Got it.”

They all walked into the lobby. “Is this going to be weird for you?” Chris asked Erykah.

“No. I’m really excited to see Piper in person again and to meet Lamont’s fiancée.” She squinted. “She is here, right?”

“Yeah. Probably talking to Piper. Guess Tuck didn’t tell them we’d arrived.”

“I actually did.” Tuck looked back at them. “They’re trying to be nice and not overwhelm y’all. Said they’ll wait a couple of hours so y’all can settle in.”

“That’s so sweet.” Erykah looked pleased at that information.

And Chris could now officially breathe. She didn’t hate the surprise. They were going to have fun, and he got to do it with the woman he liked and his friends.