“I’m glad you did. From what your mom and Mrs. Kelly said, Saint couldn’t keep his eyes off you. Not to mention that epic kiss you told me about.” I look down at the phone, a smile spreading across my face.
“That really was some kiss. I completely forgot where we were or who might have been around. What do you think about this outfit?” I show her a dress. It’s strapless, fitted in the chest, then flows out, and it even has pockets.
“Oh, I like that. Pair it with that cute jean jacket you won’t ever let me borrow,” Misty jokes. The only reason I won’t let her borrow it is because she won’t return it, or if she does, it’ll be after Josey gets her hands on it, and then it’s destined for the trash. I love my niece, but easy on clothes she is not.
“Hide my clothes from Josey, then we’re good.” I lay the dress on my bed, move to my dresser, grab a strapless bra because, let’s face it, when you’re a double-D, there’s no good gravity and you can’t go braless, ever. I find a pair of boy short panties, my favorite to wear when I’m in dresses, and then move on to accessories, choosing to keep it simple.
“Does he know about your ‘little issue’?” Misty asks, making quotation marks. It’s a joke in our family, but it’s seriously so annoying to be the one with the klutzy gene, well, besides Mom.
“No, but I’ve already almost tripped in front of him while showing him the house, and yesterday, I started to fall backwards. He’s saved me twice so far. I’m thinking he may know more than I need to tell him at this point.” This causes us both to laugh. I swear I hit the jackpot when Jace brought Misty home the first night. We were friends so fast, Jace was seeing double and joking that I’d steal her away from him. That didn’t happen, but we also have a bond just like sisters would.
“Probably. Are you wearing the turquoise necklace?” I watch as she takes another sip of wine before Josey takes over the screen on the phone.
“Auntie Em, hey!” She makes the ‘hey’ go on forever and wiggles her eyebrows.
“Hey, sweet pea.” I roll my eyes because clearly, someone’s mom and dad have been talking.
“Hot date tonight?” If she weren’t thirteen, I would think she’s practically grown with the way she talks.
“Yeah, you could say that. What do you think about that?” I ask her, genuinely wanting her opinion.
“Well, if you’re going out with him, he must be good. You don’t bring anyone around, and you don’t date.” See what I mean? Wise beyond her years.
“He is. Rome Carter introduced us.” Even one town over, everyone knows just about everyone.
“That explains it,” Jace cuts in. I roll my eyes because next, Mack will be coming in, and our girl time will be shut down for sure.
“Yep, okay, I’m getting off here, or I won’t be ready in time for my date. Misty, don’t wait up. I’ll call you in the morning to tell you how it went.” My brother is standing behind everyone, doing some crazy dance that’s reminiscent of sex. I swear I don’t know who’s the teenager in the family, the kids or him.
“Love you! Have fun!” are the choruses I hear from the kids.
“Have fun, and text me at least,” is what Misty says.
“Love you all, and I will.” I hang up before they start up another conversation and I can’t get off the phone.
When Saint told me he wanted to date, I was pretty sure I was imagining things, which is why I didn’t respond right away. He sealed the deal with the way he caught me, not even batting an eye at my clumsiness. Then that kiss, it was every freaking thing I could have hoped and wished for—soft, sensual, turning into heated and passionate.
I hurriedly change my clothes, do my hair by finger-combing my soft waves and adding some serum to combat the frizziness from our Florida humidity. Next is putting my jewelry on, which only consists of a necklace and a ring. Then I decide on only a swipe or two of mascara and light bronzer for makeup. Last weekend, we took Jace’s boat out, and I managed to get some sun for the first time in ages. Thankfully, it also helps me not to use more makeup.
I’m just sliding on my cognac leather sandals when I hear the beep of a door’s locks engaging. I take one last look at the mirror. My beige and floral dress, along with my jean jacket, completes my outfit, and a part of me is hoping my dress ends up in a heaping pile on the floor of Saint’s house. I walk out of my bedroom as the doorbell rings, and I guess tonight is the first night we’ll see just what Saint has in store for us.