“Is it too much or not enough?”She frowns down at her dark blue jeans and tan sweater.She’s wearing cowgirl boots that end just below her knees, but it’s not her outfit that has me speechless.
The only makeup Winnie’s wearing is some eyeliner and mascara, her face is completely free of makeup.Her normally straight hair is curly and matches mine and Tali’s perfectly.She’s breathtaking.Absolutely beautiful.
“Jeez, Winnie,” I whisper, my eyes still taking her all in.
“Can you just tell me what I need to change?”She stomps her foot, more than frustrated.
“Sweetheart, don’t change anything.You’re stunning.Did you curl your hair?”
“No, this is what my hair looks like when I shower and don’t straighten it.”She makes a face as she plays with the curly ends.
“Why do you straighten it?”
“I don’t know?Habit?I’ve been doing it since I was in middle school.Remember how I said no one ever sees me without makeup on?Yeah, no one sees me with curly hair either.”
“What did I do to get this version of you?”I step closer and tug her into my arms.
“You make me feel like I don’t need to hide behind a mask.You make me comfortable to be myself.”
“Good, because I want to see you like this every day.”
I press a soft kiss to her lips.A brief kiss to show her I'm thinking about her, but not too much.We’re already late and need to get to the picnic.
When I release her, Tali’s tugging on our pants and frowning up at us.I chuckle and sweep my little girl into my arms.Today will be a good day.
When we get to Owen’s house, there are cars parked up and down the entire street.I sigh, figuring we’ll have to park far away and walk.I don’t mind, but it makes it more difficult if I need to take Tali out to the car for something.
A man waves us down and asks for my name.When I give it to him, he checks my name off a list and tells me he’ll park my car.
I pause for a minute, but someone calls from the front yard, “Let him take the car, Schmidt.He’ll bring it back.”I glance over at the voice and find Cord smirking from the front porch.
Macy’s tucked into his side with her hand on his chest and a smile on her face.
“I'm going.”I flip him off and tug open the back door to get Tali out while Winnie comes around to this side of the car with the diaper bag.
I position Tali on my hip and make sure I can see Cord’s face before he can spot Tali.I want to know how he’s going to react.If he’s cool with this, everyone else will follow suit.
Cord narrows his eyes for a moment before a slow smile spreads across his face.He says something to Macy and then they’re both walking down the walkway towards us.
“You know, I never believed you were hiding anything.I thought you just didn’t want to hang out with us and I understood.It got a little crazy some nights, especially when Macy was there making inappropriate comments.”
“Oh my gosh, Cord!Stop it!”She swats at his chest and glares at him before turning towards me.“I'm sorry for making inappropriate comments.But don’t worry, Cord never passes up the chance to make fun of me for it.”She rolls her eyes.
“It’s fine.It was a fun night.”
“No, it wasn’t.It was awful.I don’t think you’ve hung out with us since.”Cord chuckles.
“I’ve tried to stay away.”I snake my arm around Winnie’s waist and tug her into my side.“Have you guys met Winnie?”
“We have.”Macy grins.“But normally she’s on Wheeler’s arm, so this will be fun.”
“And this is my daughter, Tali.Tali, can you say hi to Daddy’s friends?”
“Hi,” she whispers before hiding her face in my shoulder.
“She’s adorable!I can’t wait for this little guy to be born.”Macy rubs her baby bump and smiles.
“I know, me neither.”Cord kisses the top of her head.“Let’s go out back, there are some heaters out there.This little one keeps shivering.”He motions to Tali with a smile.“I just have one question…”
