Delicate Promises (Southern Bride 2)

Our first official date appeared to be over.

Kynslee

MY PHONE BUZZED, and I pulled it out from my back pocket. I couldn’t help but smile when I saw his name. I wanted to be agitated, but I couldn’t be.

Miles.

I thought back to two days ago.

“I missed you, Kynslee. You have to know how much I missed you.”

Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath and slowly let it out. I had almost told him the truth. That I had been waiting all these years for him to come home to me. That I couldn’t get that one night out of my mind. The night he pretended hadn’t mattered, but I know it did. I felt it. I saw it in his eyes and I was hell bent on finding out why he got spooked.

I focused on my phone and opened up the text message.

Miles: Are you free this afternoon?

I could not hide my stupid grin. Glancing around the store, I didn’t see anyone who needed my assistance, so I typed a response. My heart pounded like a silly girl talking to her high school crush. I had to remind myself he was only asking me out because I had stated how much I wanted it.

Me: I’m free. What did you have in mind?

Miles: A date in San Antonio.

I chewed on my lip. Why am I doubting myself? Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. We really needed to have a heart to heart. I found my fingers typing out my reply as my head argued that I shouldn’t go.

Me: Sounds good.

His response was immediate.

Miles: Wear jeans, a T-shirt, and sneakers. Pick you up at two.

I frowned when I saw how casual he wanted me to dress. Maybe it was another outdoor date. With a shrug, I replied with an okay. It would be nice to hang out with him again. Of course, my celibate self had missed being with him in an intimate way, but I had really missed my best friend more.

“Who are you talking to? I haven’t seen you smile like that in years.”

I scoffed at my mother’s words. “Don’t be ridiculous, I smile all the time, Momma.”

Her brow lifted. “Not that sort of smile you don’t.”

“I do.”

“You don’t.

“I do.”

She grinned. “Fine, darling, you smile like that all the time. Now, who were you talking to?”

“No one. By the way, I’m going to be taking this afternoon off. Is that okay? Lou and Mark will be here to help out at the store.”

Now that piqued her attention even more than the smile.

“Really? Where are you going?”

“Nowhere,” I replied, taking a box of gum out to restock the shelf.

“Mark does all the re-stocking, why are you avoiding your mother?” she nagged, following me around the store.

“I’m bored.”

“Did you finish that new ad campaign we talked about last week?”

It was a good thing my back faced her so she didn’t see my Oh shit. I forgot about the new ad campaign expression. Ever since Miles had showed up, I had been so out of sorts. Forgetting to do things, missing appointments. My mind was in a constant state of fuzziness.

“It’s almost complete.”

The bell on the door rang, and I smiled when Patty walked into the store.

“Hey, can you do me a huge favor?” Patty asked, digging through her purse for something.

“No Hello, Kynslee, how are you today?” I said with a roll of my eyes.

Patty stopped digging through her purse and said, “Hello, Kynslee. How are you today?”

“I’m actually doing really well, thank you for asking.”

“She’s leaving early! I think it’s a date!” my mother announced, knowing the reaction it would cause.

Patty’s eyes widened. “Miles?”

“Miles?” Mom repeated from behind me. I shot Patty a look that said she better back up before I vagina punched her. She noticed and did just that.

“Sorry,” she whispered as she chewed on her lower lip.

“Kynslee, are you dating Miles?”

I groaned when I heard the hopefulness in her voice. “No, Mom, I’m not dating anyone.”

“Is that who you were texting? Oh my goodness, that explains the smile!”

“What smile?” Patty asked with a curious expression.

“There was no smile,” I stated.

Mom laughed. “Oh, there was. Smiles like I haven’t seen in years. Matter of fact, the only time I’ve ever seen you smile like that is while you’re on your birthday call with Miles.”

Patty gasped. “Do tell, Ally. Do tell.”

Before my mother could launch into her version of my calls from Miles, I stepped between them. “Stop. Miles is a friend only.”

“Right. A friend. If that’s what you want to go with. Have you seen him, Ally? He’s looking as fine as ever.”

“Oh, I’ve seen him. He always was a handsome boy but being in the military has certainly refined his important parts.”

“Mom, gross. Can you not refer to Miles as handsome and talk about his…parts. And by the way, he’s not a boy.”