5. Colony Miles #2
“Sister girl. I know I’m married, but my eyes work very well. That man is fine, fine. Is he single?”
“He is.” I quickly ran down the story Olive told me before Kehlani came back over to us.
“Oh, wow. That’s so messed up.”
“Tell me about it. It’s no wonder I’ve always gravitated to Kehlani.”
“Looks like you’re gravitating somewhere else too.”
I waved Serenity off just as Keondra came swaggering back over to us. No matter what, it seemed our eyes always found one another’s. The yearning to know more about him intensified, and maybe I was on the right track to doing so.
Kehlani and I had the best day, but I was exhausted.
So was she because it was a little after seven, and she was knocked out on my couch with her bunny who she introduced as Rabbie.
The second we walked into my house, she pulled it out and took it everywhere with her.
It was cute because I remembered Serenity being the same way about one of her stuffed animals.
My mother cried the day she stopped carrying it around.
I covered Kehlani with the blanket and went to clean my kitchen while waiting for her father to arrive. He texted me ten minutes ago, letting me know he was on his way.
Before we left the restaurant earlier, we’d exchanged numbers so he could check in.
What I thought would be a simple text here and there turned into texts and video calls every hour.
It reminded me of the story Olive told me about him when Kehlani first started day care.
Only with me, I understood since we were in a private setting.
Each time, his worry seemed to lessen. As I promised, Kehlani and I stayed at my house and didn’t go anywhere else.
We had plenty to do. It was easy to keep her entertained, so the time flew by.
Keeping a child outside of my center hours wasn’t normal, and Serenity made sure to let me know.
She kept insinuating Keondra and I would end up being something, but I didn’t see it.
That man may have been divine, but he had tunnel vision when it came to life.
I assumed he had everything figured out in his life and only had time for those things.
But I couldn’t act like I didn’t pry a little and ask Kehlani a few questions about him. I just needed to know who she came from and how I needed to handle him.
“Tell me something, Kehlani,” I started as I brushed through her hair. I’d taken the time to wash and deep condition it. Prior, it was all over her head, and I figured it was one less thing Keondra had to worry about.
“Tell you what?”
“Does your father have a girlfriend?”
Kehlani giggled. “No, ma’am. I want him to have a girlfriend.”
“Oh, you do?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Why so?”
“Because sometimes, I think he’s lonely. My mimi and papa aren’t lonely because they have each other. I don’t want my daddy to be lonely. It makes me sad.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.” I stopped brushing her hair and gently hugged her neck. “I didn’t want to make you sad.”
“You never make me sad, Colony. You make me happy, and I think you would make my daddy happy too.”
Her words made me pause. I tipped my head to the side to get a better look at her. “I don’t know your daddy, Sweet Pea.”
“I know, but you make everyone happy at day care. I bet you could make him happy too.”
Kehlani was so sweet and innocent. The way she loved her father was a sign that he was doing everything right.
Once I was putting the dishes in my dishwasher, my doorbell rang. I wiped my hands on a towel and went to open the door for Keondra. He held up a bag, and for the first time, he smiled at me.
Oh, how that smile made me want to drop my panties right then and there. Keondra looked like the type who didn’t need any direction on how to please a woman. I hadn’t been pleasured in far too long, and the sight of him made me want to cum.
“I brought you some dinner as a token of my appreciation. I can’t thank you enough for saving me today, Colony.”
“You don’t have to thank me. I love spending time with Kehlani.” I took the bag from him and stepped to the side, allowing him inside my home. “We had a blast. She fell asleep not too long ago. I hope that’s fine.”
“It is. It’s after seven, so she will be out for the rest of the night.”
I led Keondra deeper inside my two-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bathroom townhome.
It wasn’t much, but it was enough for me.
After showing him where Kehlani was asleep in the living room, I headed toward the kitchen to put the food down.
My stomach growled at the enticing aroma.
The food I had from his restaurant earlier hit the spot, so I couldn’t wait to see what he’d brought me.
To my surprise, Keondra followed me to the kitchen.
For a moment, he stood there and watched me.
He was leaned against my wall with his hands in his pockets.
Instantly, I became a little self-conscious.
I’d taken a shower and had on my pajamas with my bonnet on my head.
It was a silk short set that I now felt showed a little too much.
From the way Keondra couldn’t keep his eyes off me, I figured he was enjoying the view.
Breaking the silence, I asked, “What did you bring me?”
“Shrimp and steak Alfredo with garlic bread and a house salad. I hope you aren’t allergic to anything. It’s one of the bestsellers for dinner, so I figured it was one of the best options to bring.”
“Oh, I love anything smothered in Alfredo, so thank you. Did you make it yourself?”
“I helped, but one of my chefs did most of the work. I was mainly there to oversee everything and assist where needed.”
I nodded. “That’s how it is when I’m at work too. How long have you been cooking?”
“Since I was about Kehlani’s age. My mom and grandmother kept me in the kitchen with them, and naturally, I fell in love with it.”
“I wish my mom would’ve kept me in the kitchen. I can cook but nothing like you can,” I admitted, snickering.
“What can you cook?”
“The basics. Everything I need to keep me alive and have some flavor. I don’t try to do too much since it’s only me. If I want something really good, I’ll either get takeout or ask my mom.”
“You should join Kehlani and I for dinner one night,” he offered. His words came out fast, and it took me a moment to process what he said. I guess I didn’t respond quick enough because he countered with, “It’s fine if you don’t want to.”
“Oh, no. I would actually love to. The only thing I do is work and come home, so I’m free whenever y’all want me to accompany y’all.”
Slowly, Keondra bobbed his head and pushed himself off the wall. He massaged his beard with his lips pressed together as if he was carefully thinking of his next words. “Do you have a special man in your life, Colony?”
“Other than my father, no. I’ve been single for a little over a year now. I moved to Maven Falls for a fresh start and ended up diving deep into my business. As embarrassing as this sounds, I haven’t even been on a date since I moved here.”
“I guess we have more in common than I thought.”
I angled my head to the side. “Why do you say that?”
Keondra walked closer to me. I could feel my breathing quicken as his commanding presence invaded my personal space more than before.
He was only inches away, so close that I could reach out and run the tip of my finger over his tattoos.
I had to swipe my phone off the counter and hold it in my hand to keep from doing so.
“Because I haven’t dated since . . .”
“Kehlani’s mother left?”
Tugging at his beard, Keondra wet his lips. “Yeah. She’s been my main and only priority outside of building my business, so I get where you’re coming from. It’s hard as hell trying to navigate life after having your heart broken.”
“Tell me about it, but I know it’s harder for you. You have another life to think about.”
“I’m glad someone understands.”
For a moment, silence engulfed us. I tapped my fingers on the counter and told Keondra, “You’re doing a great job with Kehlani. She’s very respectful and absolutely adores you. She couldn’t stop talking about you today.”
“That’s my baby. I wouldn’t be where I am if it wasn’t for her, so thank you. Let me get out of here so I can get her ready for bed. Whenever you’re ready to have dinner with us, let me know, and we can set something up.”
“Like I said before, I’m down for whenever. We can this week if you want.”
“I’m good with that. I’ll be in touch.”
“Sounds good.”
I followed behind Keondra as he went to the living room and carefully picked up Kehlani.
She was sleeping so hard, she didn’t budge when Keondra placed her on his shoulder and grabbed her bag.
Seeing them together was too cute. When he kissed her forehead, I wondered how his heart-shaped dark pink lips would feel against my skin.
I bet they were as soft and velvety as they appeared.
Once Keondra and Kehlani left, I finished cleaning my kitchen. I tried to keep my mind occupied and off Keondra, but he made it hard. About ten minutes after they left, a text from him came through, making the edges of my lips pull a slow smile.
Keondra:
How about Wednesday night? I can make whatever you like.
Why did it feel like he was asking me on a date?
The thought left as quickly as it came. I didn’t need to start seeing things for what they weren’t.
Would I love to go on a date with Keondra?
Yes, but from our conversation minutes ago, I didn’t think either of us were ready.
We were both too focused on other things to be distracted.
But, then again, maybe distractions were what we needed to not get too consumed into our businesses and miss out on other important areas of our lives.
I needed to pull myself together and stop overthinking.
Me:
Yes. What time?
Keondra:
Six o’clock sound good?
Me:
See you then.
Keondra:
See you then.
I exited out of our thread and locked my phone. There was no doubt I’d be anxious until Wednesday came. I’d be counting down the days and minutes until I was in Keondra’s presence again.