Chapter 7
Chapter
Seven
Olive
“Ms. Liv ,my bow came off. Can you put it back on for me?” Neela asked, putting the big white bow in my hand.
“Sure, baby girl.” I bent down so I could clip it back on her ponytail that was missing one.
That sparked my question. The girls nor Mr. Kelvin ever mentioned a mom in their lives, so I wondered who was keeping their hair done that seemed to change daily.
Yesterday, Neela had one big puff with her edges done while Cece had a half up, half down thing going on, but today she had a couple of flat twists in the front with the back loose.
“Neela, Daddy could’ve put it back on,” Highland said with Neela shaking her head.
“So, now Daddy ain’t good enough to do your hair anymore, Neela?” He got another head shake, which had me giggling.
“So you do their hair?”
“Yeah, which has become a lot since their hair just keeps growing. But I’m constantly online learning new techniques and shit. I have to keep them together.” He shrugged as if it was a normal thing. We fell back in line, going in motion with the crowd of people around us.
“Ooh, Ms. Liv, can we go on that ride?” Ceona asked me as soon as we walked up on the oversized teacups.
“I don’t mind, but you have to ask your dad, Cece?
” I told her as my head motioned toward Highland.
This had been us since I said something about the cotton candy.
As if she had forgotten he was even beside me, Ceona looked at Highland, who was doing his best not to laugh at his oldest yet again seeking my approval tonight.
Highland nodded while the two oldest ran to get in line, and Neela, who was no longer in the wagon but still stuck to my hip, didn’t bother to run and join them like she had been doing since we’d reached kiddieland at the fair.
“What’s the matter, big girl? You don’t want to ride this one?” She hugged my leg, tossing her head back to look up at me as she shook her head.
“We can swap out if you want to and I can stay behind with her.” Highland was already moving to pick up Neela who now moved further behind me, clinging to me tighter.
Highland’s eyes grew wide as he stood up straight.
Highland’s handsome face frowned as his mouth hung open and nose scrunched in disbelief.
“Really, Neela? You choosing Ms. Liv over me?” She nodded rapidly, making me chuckle while Highland pressed his lips together as he nodded, quickly accepting the betrayal from her.
“I can understand that. But what if Ms. Liv wanted to get on the ride though?” I was now shaking my head because I was off ride duty.
“It’s okay, you can handle the big ones.
I don’t mind keeping Neela with me. Besides, this was part of the agreement, remember?
You can get on this ride with these kids while I sit all this ass right here with Neela.
Ain’t that right, Neela?” I said. Highland smirked while Neela and I were already getting comfortable on the bench facing the ride.
“I don’t think that was the exact agreement, but since I do remember you saying something about you and that fine—” Jo-Jo calling out for us cut Highland and his comment about my ass off.
“See, look at God saving you from saying something completely inappropriate in front of Neela. Now go, we’ll wave at y’all on the spin around.” I shooed him off with my free hand that wasn’t around Neela. Highland’s eyes ran down my body one more time before he turned to get on the ride.
“Ms. Liv, can you hold me?” Neela asked while already moving to climb into my lap.
“Of course, pretty girl. Are you tired?” She nodded, then yawned big as soon as I helped the process of her getting comfortable.
Neela’s head instantly fell onto my chest as I wrapped my arms around her.
This time, I welcomed the snuggles from her as I cuddled her in return and began to sway her from side to side in my arms. We stayed this way for a minute before I decided to try my best to keep her awake.
I wasn’t sure how Highland would react if I put his youngest to sleep while we were still here.
Since Neela was the one who always seemed to be close to me but hardly talked, I decided to spark a conversation, hoping to open this side up for us.
“Neela, did you have fun today?” I asked her as I waited for a reply. When she didn’t answer, I glanced down to see her eyes already closed.
Damn, is it past her bedtime?
I picked up my phone to see it was close to eight and prayed this was close to her bedtime because there was no way I would fight her on this.
I put my attention on the ride just in time to see the other three making their way around.
I noticed Highland was the only one turning that table and that had me laughing as I waved at the kids.
The sound of my name being called had me glancing over to see Byrdie headed my way.
“I told Troy that was you. I’m really starting to feel a way. Why didn’t you tell me you and Jo-Jo were coming? You know y’all could’ve come with us. Speaking of, where is my nephew and who is this?” Byrdie looked around for Jo-Jo while inspecting Neela who was now fully asleep in my arms.
“Girl, it was last minute. Jo-Jo got invited by one of his friends from camp. They’re on the ride, I swapped out to keep their daughter while they took the two oldest. This is Neela, she’s the sweetest. Where is your crew?”
Byrdie shrugged while dropping down to take a seat next to me.
“Oh, girl, I was about to say. It’s bad enough I haven’t seen you in a week.
But they are getting candy apples. We’re about to head out in a minute.
This was really a food run for Troy and me.
He wanted a sausage sandwich and I wanted an elephant ear.
We’re planning to come back this weekend if y’all want to join us. ”
I was already shaking my head. I was one and done. Just as I got ready to speak my piece on the matter, my crew was making their way over to me with Jo-Jo and Ceona still going on about the ride, talking at once, making it impossible to even understand them.
“Jo-Jo, say hi to your auntie.” That was all I had for a now silent Byrdie who looked between Highland and me.
To the outside world, we looked like a deep family of five, but to Byrdie I was sure she was trying to piece together this whole setup.
Mentally I knew to stop and get a bottle of wine once I left here because she was for sure going to make a special trip over to my house tonight.
“Highland, this is Byrdie, Jo-Jo’s aunt.
Byrdie, this is Highland, the girls’ dad.
That’s Ceona, Jo-Jo’s friend from camp.” I gave the quickest introduction just as Highland stepped into my space to retrieve Neela from my arms. I got up, motioning for him to lay her in the wagon.
I caught Byrdie’s goofy grin from the corner of my eye but didn’t say anything.
“It’s nice to meet you,” Highland said once he could properly greet her with a handshake.
“It’s nice to meet you too. Your girls are beautiful,” she said politely before putting her attention on me.
“Well, let me head out. I’m sure Darius done talked Troy into more than a candy apple at this point.
Call me later, Olive.” That was a subtle warning from her, making me smirk before I nodded and tucked my lips, doing my best to conceal my smile.
Byrdie gave one more hug and kiss to Jo-Jo before she got up and headed back in the direction she came from.
“His sister?” That was all Highland said once we finally were on the move headed for the next ride for the kids.
“Yes. But also my best friend who I normally do these types of functions with since she also has a son close in age to Jo-Jo.”
“Are you worried she’ll tell him about this? I never actually asked if you were single.”
I chuckled. “No, not worried. I told him about you before I mentioned it to her. Jasiel and I are just co-parents. Byrdie’s biggest issue will be the lack of information she has on you for herself.
And I think we both skipped that tidbit of information about each other though,” I said.
referring to whether or not he was single.
I mean I assumed he was, but you never know these days.
Highland cleared his throat just as we came to a stop at the next ride for the kids. He passed two tickets over so they could get on.
“We did, didn’t we? Well, we gotta restart; it’s the only way to make sure we’re both on the same page.” I looked down at his hand and snorted.
“Oh, completely. Okay. Hi, I’m Olive. I’m a single mother of one. I own a private practice that offers an alternative type of therapy through cuddling.”
“I’m Highland, a widower of two girls. My wife passed away during childbirth with Neela. I am the owner of Drifted and Anchored. I am a retired Navy man who loves being on the water.” That was news to me. I did my best not to show any emotion about that information. But I was shocked.
“I hope my kid count doesn’t put me out of the chance to get to know you better, Olive. I don’t know much but I do know I’m wildly attracted to you. I mean, your whole aura is pulling me in.” I pressed my lips together as I shook my head.
This man is making me blush.
“Not at all. If anything, the girls helped your chances of me even noticing you. I’m a working mom who has managed to make life all about those two things. And I’m very attracted to you as well.”
Highland nodded.
“Same. Well, it only makes sense for us to blend our waters together, ya know for the kids’ sakes, at least.” My smile was giddy and wide as I nodded.
“No, yeah, sure. For the kids. But I have to warn you. I have a weird job that might be a deal breaker.” That made him laugh and I knew Tunk told him what I did.
“Oh yeah, well since this is a cleansing moment and we’re starting over, I’m here to tell you that I called you a cuddly buddy once, amongst other things.” That had me tossing my head back as I laughed deeply.