Chapter 16
NOVA
Ivy stuck close for the afternoon, even joining Lyric and me to pick up Skylar. She also played with the girls while I got ready for my date. Yet, when I left my bedroom, I found her replaced by Elle and Zodiac.
“Change in plans,” Elle announced. “We’re going to babysit instead of having the girls go next door.”
“Why?”
Zodiac replied, “So you can get those cobwebs removed from your pussy.”
I nearly hissed at him for talking like that. Fortunately, the girls were outside and oblivious to his dirty mouth. He snickered at whatever he saw on my face.
Elle only shrugged when I frowned at her. “Zodiac was a foster kid. What do you expect him to act like?”
“Stop making excuses for him.”
“I can’t help it,” Elle said and rubbed her belly. “We’ve created life together.”
Rolling my eyes, I was too flustered to think straight. Zodiac sat on the couch and stretched out his arms along the back. Elle joined him and smiled at me.
“I was thinking about how if the girls were next door with Bebe, you’d need to get home early enough to put them to bed. But with us here, we can get the girls settled. That way, you won’t need to rush back.”
“There’s no reason to stay out longer.”
“You say that now, but wait until you’re sharing space with Boone. You’ll look into his big brown eyes and become consumed by the urge to climb him like a monkey. Once you get all up on him, you won’t want to rush back here. With two responsible adults at the house, you won’t need to.”
“It’s our second date. There’ll be no getting all up on him.”
“She’s lying,” Zodiac announced. “Nova reeks of wet pussy. She’ll be lucky to get through the movie without giving him a handjob.”
Elle laughed at his words before noticing my irritation. “I can’t help it. If you loved Zodiac like I do, you’d think his bullshit was funny, too.”
“Maybe Bebe can stay over.”
“Wait, do you think we can’t handle your hellion daughters for a few hours?” Zodiac muttered. “I’m not intimidated by the little beasts.”
“I figure you’ll get bored.”
“No, you think we’ll hump on the couch and pollute your daughters’ brains,” Zodiac said and then looked at Elle. “This woman is too curvy to interest me anymore. I’m only sticking with this relationship for the boy she’s carrying.”
“He hasn’t touched my lady lumps in weeks,” Elle said and sighed dramatically.
Zodiac betrayed his dismissive comments by stroking her belly. “I made this.”
Rolling my eyes, I muttered, “Don’t be gross on my couch.”
“It’s my cousin’s couch,” Elle insisted before adding, “And leave Zodiac alone. He’s just proud that his sperm still works at forty. Don’t take things so personally.”
“Where will Sutter be while you’re babysitting?”
“He’s happy to hang out with my parents. He’s been homesick.”
Zodiac scratched at his beard. “Naw, the kid barely misses Little Memphis at all.”
“Sure, baby,” Elle said and stroked where he scratched. “Homesickness is for weenies.”
My irritation over the change in plans and Zodiac’s dirty mouth faded when I saw how Elle and Zodiac watched each other.
These two people didn’t seem to have a single romantic bone in either of their bodies.
Yet, they were in love and starting a family.
If they could build something real, why couldn’t I?
Dan overcame our family’s history to win the heart of someone like Lula.
The key to their happiness was opening themselves up to possible pain and embarrassment. That took the kind of bravery that I wasn’t sure I owned.
Breaking free of Zodiac’s flirty grip, Elle walked over to me. “I know you’re nervous, but that’s why I decided to do this. Now, you won’t have to worry about the girls. They’ll be safe at their home. You can sneak in late without feeling guilty.”
“I don’t think I should stay out too long.”
“That’s the South Dakota version of you talking. Here in Little Memphis, you’re a tough, horny fox.”
“What was I in Baton Rouge?”
“A survivor,” Elle said softly. “You almost died, but you fought to survive. Now, you’ve got a chance to get what you want.”
“What if I try my best and it doesn’t work?”
“If Boone isn’t the guy for you, that doesn’t mean the time you spend together is a waste. You’re having fun and learning what you want. If he isn’t Mister Right, you’ll be ready for the guy who does click with you.”
I thought back to the shooting. Survival hadn’t been about my desire to live as much as my decision not to leave my girls. When I considered how much I would have missed out on if I had died, I felt newly invigorated for my date.
“I really like Boone,” I told Elle, who instantly smiled.
“He doesn’t date, Nova. I’m not trying to put pressure on you, but he’s a good guy with no experience. So, if he says something dumb, don’t point and laugh.”
I smiled at how protective she was of her friends. I also knew she understood how I operated. If I were worried about Boone’s feelings, I wouldn’t obsess about my every choice.
No longer edgy, I nearly ran to the door when Boone arrived. Zodiac answered before I could.
“Welcome to our home,” Zodiac said and gestured for Boone to enter. “The hens have been clucking about you for hours.”
When Elle made a chicken noise, Zodiac immediately returned to the couch to tease her about how her clucking had made her breasts bounce.
“Ignore them,” I told Boone.
I sensed he was about to kiss me. Boone leaned slightly before the girls came running into the house and hollered his name.
“Come see the closet!” Skylar yelled before I gestured for her to turn down her volume.
Nodding, she took his hand and guided him down the hallway. I expected Zodiac to complain about the boogeyman situation, but he was too busy molesting Elle’s baby bump.
“Mama set up the light,” Lyric was telling Boone when I joined them in the bedroom. “Will it scare away the boogeyman?”
“Oh, yeah, that’s a good light,” Boone said and leaned half into the closet. “Real bright and pretty. No way will the boogeyman want to come in here.”
The girls smiled and bounced at his words. They had been so excited when we set up the night light.
“Did you want to sleep in here tonight?” I asked. “Elle and Zodiac are babysitting.”
Skylar frowned. “But Bebe makes us sandwiches.”
“Elle will probably order food. You could ask for sandwiches.”
The girls looked at each other and whispered food ideas while I smiled at Boone.
“I like your shirt,” I said, winning a sly grin from him.
Once the girls decided they were okay with Elle watching them, I kissed their little heads and followed Boone outside. He opened his truck door for me, and I climbed inside. My heart was racing. We were truly alone for the first time.
Boone slid into his spot and smiled. “I’m kissing you now.”
“Thank God,” I murmured and leaned toward him.
The way his lips felt on mine erased my fears. Boone tasted like a sexy dream come true. As soon as he pulled away, I knew I wasn’t interested in the movies or a crowded restaurant.
“Can we change plans?”
Boone instantly frowned. “Why?”
“I don’t want to be around people. I mean, besides you. Can we go to your place, watch a movie, eat dinner, and be alone?”
Boone’s expression shifted immediately to a smile before returning to a frown.
“Do you want to be alone because you’re nervous about going out in public?”
“No, I want zero distractions. No friends showing up, or strangers talking too loudly, or little kids wanting our attention. I’d like to enjoy you and me somewhere quiet.”
The sexy grin he flashed me sent my heart racing. Boone was so handsome when serious, but his smile had stolen my heart from across the room the first time I saw it. Now, I was the person making him smile.