Chapter 1
BOONE
I got up early after spending the night at my parents’ place. My brain buzzed with ideas as I rode home. Stopping for gas, I texted Goldie to ask for help when I got back to Little Memphis. My sister replied with, “I don’t approve. See you soon.”
The Sorority House was quiet when I rolled up through the security gate. Goldie sat on the lower front wraparound porch. Her dark eyes watched me approach as she blew on her hot coffee.
“I don’t approve.”
“She’s special,” I said as she handed me the coffee. “I don’t know why, but she just is.”
Goldie stared at me with a tired gaze. Neither one of us was an early riser. Wrapped in a blanket, she shivered and judged me.
“Nova had a bad husband,” Goldie said. “That’s bound to give her hangups.”
“I know.”
“She was shot and nearly killed. She’s suffered trauma.”
“I’m aware of that, too.”
“And her girls never had a dad. Nova doesn’t date. If you start hanging around, they’re bound to view you as their daddy. What happens if you break up?”
“I don’t know.”
Goldie frowned. “Why her?”
“I said I don’t know.”
My sister sighed. “People are weak. First, Elle went extra stupid over Zodiac. I couldn’t understand why she didn’t choose to blow him off. I guess they’re in love, but I still think there’s a choice involved. Now, you’re acting like you have no control over yourself.”
I pressed my hand on my chest and sighed. “My heart has felt weird since I met her.”
“I think you’re still dealing with the trauma of being locked up.”
“That’s what I thought, but I was wrong. Besides, Nova likes me, too.”
“She doesn’t even know you.”
“Are you saying I’m not likable?”
Goldie broke into a smile. “Don’t try to guilt me, little brother. My heart is ice cold.”
“Yet, you’re up early to help me win Nova’s affections.”
“Well, I was planning to talk you out of it,” Goldie said and scowled hard at me before shrugging. “But I’ve been doing that for months. We’ve gone through these same bullet points plenty of times. I figure if you’re making your move, I should help you.”
Smiling, I set down the coffee cup and leaned forward. “I want to go to her house today.”
“Vanessa said she got you a date.”
“I’m not waiting until then.”
Narrowing her eyes, Goldie muttered, “You take after Mom too much.”
“Thank you.”
Goldie’s grin told me that she was on the same page. We came up with ideas to ease my way into Nova’s good graces. Mostly, I was worried about freaking out her daughters. A mama bear like Nova would cut me loose if I upset her daughters, even if she thought I was the sexiest beast in the world.
Based on how quickly Skylar and Lyric chose to invite me into their house, my bribery did the trick. Nova remained cagey. Though I wasn’t a stranger, she was right to keep her guard up with a new man around her girls.
Despite her mama bear energy, Nova gave away her desire for me whenever she thought I wasn’t looking.
As Skylar showed me her school drawing, I caught her mama smiling sweetly over the roses I brought.
I had wanted red ones like I saw in movies, but Goldie said they were too intense.
Pink and white would feel softer and less threatening.
My sister might have been overthinking the situation, but I couldn’t deny that Nova seemed downright giddy over the roses.
Giving Nova a few minutes to get herself together, I talked to the girls. Goldie had prepped me for that, too.
“They like their dogs,” my sister insisted. “Mention Beef Jerky. Oh, and the girls love to talk, so your silent temperament will likely be appreciated.”
Once I mentioned my dog to Lyric and Skylar, they spent the next five minutes speaking over each other about their dog, Ramen.
“Xena is our dog, too,” Lyric told me as I squatted between the girls in front of the dog bed where their spaniel mix cuddled. “Lula said we are the dog’s friends.”
“I have a little dog, too,” I said and showed them a picture on my phone. “Beef Jerky lives with my mom right now, but I’m planning to bring him to my place soon.”
The girls’ faces lit up when they saw a picture of my goofy dog.
“I’ll be his friend,” Lyric said and looked at Nova. “Look at Beef Jerky, Mama.”
Nova shuffled over to us and admired the picture on my phone. “He’s cute.”
“He’s a weird-looking dog, but I like him.”
“Do you have more pictures?” Skylar asked.
I showed them how to swipe to see more pictures of the dog. They got to one of Goldie and showed Nova.
“We know her,” Skylar said and nodded. “She’s our friend.”
“That’s my big sister,” I told them.
Lyric shook her head. “No, she’s smaller.”
Grinning, I stood up and focused on Nova. Though she smiled softly, I knew she was uneasy with my sudden appearance.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t wait until tomorrow,” I said and ran my hand through my hair. “But since I first saw you, I’ve wanted to know you better. I held back because that made sense. But I’m not looking to be sensible anymore.”
“I’m always sensible.”
“Not really,” I said and fished out the paper from my pocket. “You gave me this because sensible is boring. You want more.”
“I do want more,” Nova mumbled. “But I’m not sure I can handle more.”
“You’ve survived worse than a biker thinking you’re gorgeous.”
Nova couldn’t hide how much she wanted me to want her. Her flushed cheeks and silly smile made me feel fucking great.
“I want to stick around for dinner if that’s okay,” I said, and she went still. “I can order something for us to eat.”
“I planned to make chicken.”
“You can save that for later,” I said before shrugging. “Or I could help you cook. Just be aware that I’m a bad cook and can’t be in charge of anything important.”
Nova glanced at the kitchen and then focused on her girls. They were whispering to each other about Beef Jerky.
“What would you like to order?” Nova asked.
“What do the girls like to eat?”
“We want buffalos,” Skylar said as if simply waiting for the question to be asked. “I like spice.”
“I don’t,” Lyric added and nearly crawled over her sister to get closer to me. “I like buffalos, but no spice.”
“I assume they’re talking wings, right?” I asked Nova, who smiled softly at how they were bouncing around. “I know a place that delivers. How much spice can you take, Skylar?”
The five-year-old responded immediately, “All of it.”
“Well, maybe we’ll keep it to medium spice,” I suggested. “Don’t you have school tomorrow? No way do you want to get the runs during recess.”
“The runs?” Skylar asked, while Lyric tilted her head with confusion.
“Pooping,” I said, and the girls howled with laughter. I shared Nova’s grin. “I thought girls would be tricky to talk to, but they love poop stuff just as much as boys do.”
“Um,” Nova mumbled, working up the courage to shuffle closer. “Are we still going out tomorrow?”
“Of course,” I said and brought up the restaurant’s site. “Well, unless you decide you need a break from me.”
Nova’s big blue eyes were so expressive. Right now, they hid nothing. I was hitting all the right notes. A break from me was the last thing she was craving.