He eventually wards it off and asks me, “Do you know the difference between a washing machine and yo mama?”
I smirk as I shake my head that I don’t.
“When I dumped a dirty load inside the machine, it didn’t follow me around for two weeks.”
I can’t help but laugh loudly, right along with the rest of the table. “Oh my god. Classic. You’re the master, Dad. I can’t beat you.”And I never want to.
Dad winks. “Your time will come, son.”
About an hour later, Kennedy is exiting the bathroom, but I push her back in and close the door. I pull her hips to mine and brush my lips over her mouth. “You look so sexy in this outfit. I’ve been hard since you got here.”
She smiles into my mouth as she wraps her arms around my neck. “Iloveyour family.” She shakes her head in disbelief. “Is this how meals always are with them?”
I nod. “Yes.Exactlylike this. Every single time. Never a dull moment.”
She gently and lovingly runs her fingertips through my scruff. “I hope you realize how fortunate you are.”
“I do.” I lick my lips nervously. “It could be like this for us one day. If you want.”
She looks down. “Daylen?—”
“I know I went a little crazy yesterday,” I quickly interrupt before she can shoot me down. “I was excited. I saw the future I wanted and pressed the fast-forward button. It was wrong of me to make assumptions like I did, but I won’t give up on the possibility of us. There’s something here.” I toggle my finger between the two of us. “Maybe we’re not at the marriage or baby-making phase of our relationship, but there’s a spark I’ve never shared with anyone else, and I personally want to see where it goes.”
She looks up at me and nods. “I do too.”
I can’t help but smile widely at her unexpected response. “You do?”
“Yes. We’ve done this in the weirdest order ever, but I feel it too.” She runs her hands up and down my arms. “You make me feel so safe, Daylen. I’veneverfelt safe with anyone in my life before. It’s a big deal for me.”
My chest swells with pride. “I know it is. Thank you for trusting me. I promise I won’t let you or our daughter down. Ever.”
She rolls her eyes. “I hope it’s a boy just to spite you.”
I chuckle. “Of course you do. Not a chance. BJ said she wants a sister.”
“Did she say that? In those precise words?”
“Yes,” I joke.
“I bet.”
I pull her as close as possible again, and she happily obliges me. “Can we maybe go on a real date?” I beg. “One that doesn’t involve basketball. We can still practice all the time. I’m committed to you dunking one day, but can we go to dinner? Anywhere you want. I know you don’t want to be seen in public. We can go off the beaten track. I don’t care. I just want to give things a real go. I want to spend time with you talking and doing normal dating things.”
She smiles softly as she nods again. “I’d like that.”
I can’t help but kiss her, and she lets me. In fact, she alsoallows my hand to move under that sexy skirt. I’ve been dying to do that since she got here.
An orgasm later, when we’re walking back to the pool, she asks, “Why does Ashleigh use WTF inappropriately? Does she not know what it means?”
I chuckle. “It’s a funny story.”
Kennedy and Piercestay through most of the afternoon until Pierce has to physically tear himself away from Jagger. They exchange telephone numbers under the guise of him answering any questions she may have about college, but I’m not an idiot. They were both smitten.
I appreciate how much time Kennedy spent with my family. She could have stayed an hour or two, but she stayed for several hours until Pierce had to leave for a prior commitment. If I didn’t know better, I’d say she was disappointed to have to leave. She and my father got along better than I could have possibly hoped.
It’s later at night now, and everyone has gone to bed. I’m out back throwing a ball to BJ while brainstorming ideas for my first real date with Kennedy. I want it to be special. I already told Benny to find me some fashionable clothing to wear. I want to look good for her.
I hear my backyard glass door slide open, and my father walks out in his matching pajamas. I look him up and down. “Did those PJs come with one of those sleep caps?” I jokingly ask.
