“All right. I love you,” I called over my shoulder before jogging to my car. Freedom. Finally.
*
I walked into Bailey’s house, and Cat raced toward me, yelling in her high-pitched little voice. For a moment, I thought she was going to run into my arms and greet me warmly, until I caught Bailey running behind her.
They were playing hide and seek. I scooped Cat up into my arms, carrying her as she giggled happily. The two-year-old daughter of my best friend was like my own child too, being the most adorable kid I knew. She clung tightly to my neck, giggling hard as Bailey teased her about taking her out of my arms.
“You two seem to have some cool Mom and daughter time,” I spoke in between babble speech with Cat, who was still having fun over my goofy company. She was smiling sweetly, her cute baby cheeks pinkish in color.
“Yeah, you know how the word fun defines the time we spend together.” She took her from me, Cat finally recovering from her breathless giggles. Bailey closed the door as she led me inside, offering me to sit on their couch.
I shoved all the stuffed toys to the side and dropped down.
“It’s been weeks since we had a decent conversation. Catch me up! What’s the buzz around town?” Bailey looked at me with a happy grin. I grinned back, staring at her beautiful face.
“You know, just the usual. The store’s been doing fine. Mom’s great as ever too. Bossy, but she stays true to who she is.” I shrugged and smiled down at Cat, who was on the floor, laughing at something on TV.
“Great. That store’s been there through thick and thin. I’m amazed how your momma has kept it running so long. She’s a wise businesswoman for sure,” she replied, complimenting my mother’s hard work. It was true. Her unending sacrifices and extreme efforts to maintain the operation of our convenience store for years were the reasons it was still open and thriving.
“Yeah. I even felt guilty today. She pushed me right out of the store right after I asked for her okay to leave. With only the two of us manning the entire place, I probably shouldn’t have asked to leave. I just wanted to see you after you texted.” I leaned back and let out a long sigh. “To feel alive for a minute.”
“I know a good way to feel alive.” She smirked, and I swatted at her. “Not that I’ve had a man around for a while, but I hear that if they’re good in bed, life is just better.”
“Oh, Lord. Back to the store please.” I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms over my chest. I’d dated a few guys, but no one worth keeping around. The only man I could even hold in my fantasies long enough to undress was Hunter. He haunted my dreams regularly, and I did far more than just undress him.
“You know, it’s pretty amazing that you and your mom have kept that store going with just the two of you. And the damn thing is growing. Business is doing well, right?” She lifted an eyebrow at me.
The expansion of our store was unstoppable. Since my mother was able to raise s
ome cash from both her business and her previous field work as a nurse, she expanded our store. There’s one thing she wanted in life – to work full-time at the store, at a place she owned herself. Crazy enough, she’d pulled it off a few years back. I couldn’t be more proud and inspired.
“Yeah, but it raised some problems along the way. One of which was the problem with hiring outsiders. Mom wanted to keep it in the family. But that’s too difficult, considering that I’m the only child, plus the fact that Dad is gone.”
Bailey looked at me with a pitiful glance. I was growing weary, as was my mother, but she knew what she was doing, and I trusted her.
“When Cat gets a little older, I can volunteer her to work in the convenience store. I hope Irene would not object to that since I’m a part of the family by heart.” Her beautiful smile cheered me up, followed by Cat’s cute babbling.
“By the way, Hunter came by yesterday.” I spoke in a timid voice, recalling our weird standoff. I could still feel the fast beating of my heart as I imagined his beautiful eyes staring back at me. Bailey looked at me with a grin on her face, waiting for the next details of my tale.
“And? I can feel something juicy happened.” By the look on her face, she knew me all too well. I could feel my cheeks flush, burning a bright red. I bit my lower lip before uttering another word.
“Nothing too fun. He talked to Mom for a second, and I studied him like a stalker. I swear I feel like I’m 16 again when he’s around.
Her brows were raised, waiting for something more, but there was nothing to give her. It was pathetic, to say the least. Even Cat looked at me with a bewildered look.
“And?” Bailey urged me on. “Please, dear God, tell me you said something to him.”
“No, but he looked at me too?” I buried my face into one of the cartoon pillows, horrified of my embarrassing encounter. I sounded like a child and felt like one. If anyone knew the naughty thoughts racing through my head, including Bailey, I’d die where I sat.
Bailey burst out laughing and slapped my leg. Even Cat laughed along, without any idea of what was happening around her.
“That hottie seems to get the best of you. You act like you’ve never been out with a guy. What’s the deal, Kylie? You’re beautiful and single. Why wouldn’t Hunter Yonnie look at you? I bet he jacks off to the thought of you. Jeez!” She pushed my shoulder and shook her head. “You have no idea how pretty you are.”
“Not this again.” I smacked her with the pillow in my lap. “He’s a single dad, and he acts about ten years older than me. He’s insanely hot too. Either way, he’s way the hell outta my league. Period.”
“You need to do something about your big crush on Mr. Hottie. Someone else is going to sweep in and steal his heart if you don’t. Get to it!”
“No way. He’s way too handsome, muscular, attractive.” I wiped at my chin, afraid that I might actually be drooling. “But God, I can’t seem to get him off my mind, especially since yesterday. His green eyes and sexy smile. Dark brown hair and that great tan.” I groaned. “And his hands are so big and strong looking. Can you imagine?” I paused and took a shaky breath.