“Ha.” His amused expression fell. “Wait … you’re kidding right?”
“Sure I am.”
“I’m serious. He’s a dentist, so doesn’t that mean he’s got access to tools and shit?”
“He’s not crazy, Jett, just overprotective.”
“Hey. I know from personal experience it can be one and the same.”
“Go get ready.” She shooed him with a wave of her hands.
“Uh huh, I’ll do that, and maybe I can find a bulletproof vest while I’m at it. This is like a fricking episode of Paranormal Investigation.”
She bit back a giggle as he rambled to himself on his way down the hall. His wicked sense of humor always cut through tension like a hot knife through butter, made it hard to try to keep him at a distance. It scared her how fast she was coming to depend on him. If she was going to do this Mommy thing on her own with shared custody she needed to put on her big girl panties and grow a thicker skin. Or you could consider having a go at it. Look at how well you two fit together. Would you throw that all away because of what happened between your parents? Then she wins, and hasn’t she taken enough? The realization hit her like a ton of bricks. Unsteady on her feet she reached for the edge of the table, and leaned forward, closing her eyes. Jesus Christ, how long am I going to keep letting this run my life?
“Kansas! You okay?” Jett rushed down the hall and placed a ha
nd on the small of her back.
“I’m sorry I didn’t mean to scare you. I’m over here having epiphanies.”
“About?”
“Myself.”
“And that’s a good thing?” Confusion filled his voice.
“Yes, a very good thing. I guess it’s true when you’re about to become a parent all the other bullshit goes out the window because you have to be whole to be the kind of caregiver they deserve.”
“Please tell me that means what I think it does.”
A knock sounded on the door.
“We’re finishing this later.”
She gulped. The knock sounded again. I’ve never been so grateful for my father’s impatience. “I should get that. He’ll get louder.”
Jett took a deep breath and composed himself. It was odd seeing the mask come down as he bottled his emotions. He rolled his neck. “I’m good to go.”
At least one of is. “Come on.” Entwining their hands she straightened and led him to the door.
“Should I be touching you right now?”
Kansas chuckled. “You are such a big baby.”
They reached the door, and she issued a gentle squeeze to his hand before she let it go, and opened the door.
“Hey Da—” The words died in her throat. Beside her father stood Darla, tall, slim, black spiral curls perfectly sculpted, and make-up flawless.
“Oh my God! Jett Walker! Reginald why didn’t you tell me this is who she was dating!”
“Dad, what the fuck!” Her Mother was supposed to be in Aspen right now!
“Don’t you have a nasty little mouth?” Darla’s glossy lip curved upward, and Kansas growled in the back of her throat.
“Better than a nasty soul. I can pick and choose when I want to be foul-mouthed.”
“Kansas, please.” Her father held up his hands, and Darla pushed passed her to enter the house. She remained in the door way, eyes narrowed.