Chapter 18
ROSCOE
I walked around the corner and found Serana with her phone to her ear as she studied the bag she held in her other hand.
In the last month, I’d seen a change in her that was magical to watch.
Somehow, reconnecting with her mother had opened a part of her that I’d never gotten a glimpse of before, and it was wonderful.
She was happier now, and it showed on her face, in the tone of her voice, and even in the way she walked.
The sadness that had been lurking in her eyes had all but disappeared, and a new outgoing nature had bubbled to the surface.
I’d seen her shy and uncertain too many times to count, but now she walked with her head high and greeted everyone she met.
It seems that her mom’s forgiveness was the last piece she needed to complete the puzzle that made up the real Serana.
I was sure her mom had something to do with it, but Serana’s father had even called. He apologized for causing the separation between Serana and her mother, admitted that he’d missed her too, and said he was proud she’d worked so hard to change her life.
Just last weekend, I’d taken Serana on the short trip to her parents’ house and met them both myself.
While I was there, I even let her dad grill me about my intentions.
He tried to gauge my character to see if I was not only worthy of his daughter’s attention but someone who would support her when she needed it and help her when she found something she couldn’t do alone.
As he and I talked about Serana, Mr. Gonzales’ calculating look reminded me so much of the expression I’d seen on Papa’s face over the years that it was almost uncanny. When he explained what he’d do to me if I ever hurt his daughter in any way, he sounded an awful lot like Uncle Lout.
Apparently, my family didn’t have a corner on the market for men who would do anything for their families.
Although I didn’t understand his reasoning, I did understand Mr. Gonzales’ motive in telling Serana to stay away.
I knew I’d do anything to keep Serana happy, and I prayed that we never experienced half the pain her parents had felt when their children turned to drugs and crime.
If for some reason we did, though, I’d never completely turn my back on them - and neither would Serana.
After talking to her dad for a while as he reminisced about her childhood and told me some of her teenage adventures, I realized that he hadn’t ever completely turned his back on her. He had just set her free in the hopes of helping his wife adapt to their life without any of their children nearby.
“It’s not the same brand, but I think it will work,” Serana said, looking back up at the shelf. “I’m going to buy this one and see how it does.” She smiled at her phone screen before she said, “Okay. Love you too. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
“Your mom?” I asked as I stopped the cart close to her.
“Yeah. She gave me a recipe for a dish that I loved when I was a kid, so I’m going to try it this week.
Let’s invite your dads over for dinner on Tuesday,” she suggested as she put her selection in the cart.
“Oh! I almost forgot! Holly and Damien invited us over for game night on Friday, so we need to figure out what snack foods we want to take. She’s doing a charcuterie board and some other nibbly stuff since she’ll be busy prepping for the wedding all day. ”
“We’re going to my sister’s on Friday?”
“Yes, and then Bella’s wedding is on Saturday, so I’ll be busy for most of the day helping the florist get everything ready.”
“And then you’ll stay for the wedding, right?”
“Yes. We’ll go home to refresh and change clothes and then be back in time for the ceremony and reception.”
“It’s going to be a big day,” I said unnecessarily. I knew that Serana was happy about the one-year anniversary of her release from prison.
Of course, I was excited about it too. Not just because it meant that we could finally take our friendship to another level and start dating, but also because I was so happy for her. I was proud that she’d followed through with her goal.
“It’s going to be a big day and an even bigger night,” Serana said with a wicked grin.
Teasing, I said, “I’m sure Bella is very excited.”
Serana giggled and pushed my shoulder. “I’m not talking about Bella, and you know it.”
“What are you talking about?”
Instead of teasing me, Serana got very serious.
She put her hand on my chest to nudge me away from the cart so she could stand in front of me.
She looked up into my eyes, and in a voice low enough that no one nearby could hear us, she asked, “Do you remember that day when you crowded me against the shelf and told me what your ulterior motive was?”
I knew exactly what she was referring to, but decided to keep things light. “That day we talked about Santa’s naughty list?”
“And how you were going to make sure we had a permanent place on it.”
I raised my eyebrows. “You remember that part, huh?”
“I remember all of it,” Serana said as she pressed her body against mine.
“I remember the timbre of your voice as you whispered in my ear and the naughty thoughts and images that flew through my mind while I listened to you talk. I’ve replayed them - and added to them - since then.
” Serana tiptoed up until her mouth was right by my ear.
“They play on repeat in my mind while I use my vibrator, pretending it’s you touching me and deep inside me. ”
The noise that came out of my mouth was half groan and half gasp; it didn’t sound like something a grown man would ever make. Yet that was all I could manage as the blood in my body rushed down to my cock.
When Serana kissed my neck and nibbled her way along my jawline before she stepped back, I was breathless. My mouth dropped open in shock when she asked, “Do you have any nutmeg in your spice cabinet?”
“Huh?”
“Nut . . . meg.”
“Huh . . what . . . um . . .”
“When I say nut, what are you thinking about, Roscoe?” Serana whispered.
Before I had a chance to answer, she ran her hand across my chest and then down to my stomach before she said, “And I really, really need a thick . . . fat . . . girthy . . . cinnamon stick.” I made that garbled sound again, and she smiled before she asked, “Do you have a stick for me, Roscoe?”
I was proud of myself when I managed to choke out an actual sentence. “What are you doing to me, Serana?”
With an innocent smile, she said, “I’m planning to make horchata for Holly and Damien’s. What are you thinking about, Roscoe?”
“You know damn well what I’m thinking about.”
Serana leaned closer again before she whispered, “Keep thinking about it because in less than a week, I plan to act on all of the naughty ideas I think about every time I look at you.”
I swallowed hard before I said, “You know exactly what you’re doing to me right now, don’t you?”
“Other than the obvious gratification that came from fulfilling a goal I set for myself and sticking to my guns about something I considered so important, there’s also the reward of knowing that my best friend wants me and has been willing to not only wait, but cheer me on.
I feel like he should be rewarded, too, don’t you? ”
“I’m your best friend?” I asked.
“My best friend, my confidant, and the other half of my heart, Roscoe.”
“Damn,” I choked out, my emotions right at the surface after hearing her declaration.
And in a week . . . actually less than a week, we’re going to add to that list. And then later we’ll add to it again.”
“What will we add?”
“Lover, boyfriend, husband, and father of my children.” Suddenly I had a flashback to my conversation with Serana’s father and was speechless again. Luckily I was at least able to nod in agreement, which made Serana laugh out loud. “Now, back to the spices. Should I buy nutmeg and cinnamon?”
◆◆◆
SERANA
The last week had been a whirlwind of activity, from dinner with Marcus and Reagan - which was always a blast - to dinner and game night here at Holly and Damien’s.
Like almost all of Roscoe’s family who had children or grandchildren, life in this house was loud, crazy, and chaotic fun.
I enjoyed every second of it, just like I loved hanging out at Kale and Terra’s or one of Roscoe’s other siblings.
As much fun as I was having tonight, I couldn’t help but think of how glad I would be when work calmed down next week.
Bella’s wedding was going to be the death of all of us before it was through.
The bakery had been crazy busy, with pastry orders for the guests at the hotel to mini quiches for the ladies’ brunch.
And, of course, there was the wedding cake and groom's cake for the wedding itself.
Janis had been busy with bridesmaid duties, and I was glad to see that she had trusted me to run the kitchen and keep everything organized; however I was bone-tired.
Of course, it didn’t help that when I finished at the bakery, I went straight to work at The Flower Patch to complete the wedding tasks assigned to me.
Luckily, that put me in contact with Holly, who was helping organize not just the wedding but the events leading up to it.
I’d developed a healthy friendship with her because of our time working together.
When I thought of how important tomorrow would be for me, I felt giddy again and forgot how exhausted I really was.
A year ago, I had been released from prison, terrified about what the future held for me - how I was going to function on my own with no way to use my degree, no chance of ever working in the field I loved, and the looming fear that I’d slip and fall back into addiction.
But I’d set my mind to the task at hand and followed through with it.
I focused on sobriety while I got my life in order and made a plan for my future.