Chris had to hold back laughter. Life around Cheyenne was never dull. “You need a snack?”
“Yes. I’m starving.” She groaned dramatically. “Can I have apples and cheese?” She tilted her head to the side.
“I can do that.”
“Cutthem right this time.” She pointed a finger as if reprimanding him.
But that wasn’t necessary. He’d learned his lesson from her last meltdown. “Yes, ma’am.”
“I’m not a ma’am. I’m a little girl.”
A bossy one at that ... but so adorable. He hated that Cheyenne and Ash had lost their parents but was so thankful that God had allowed Chris to play a small part in their lives. He knew they had impacted him in ways he’d never expected.
With Tuck married and Lamont soon to be, Chris could see why his friends wanted more for Chris.Hewanted more, just in God’s timing.
Thirty-One
The kids were asleep. Now was the best time to walk up to Chris, tell him how I felt, and see what happened.
But I couldn’t get the words past my lips. In fact, my mouth seemed to be clamped shut. Every time Chris had asked me a question or said something, I responded with a shrug or amm-hmm.I was sure he thought I was acting weird. Iwasacting weird, but I didn’t know how to carry on a normal conversation when these feelings were swimming in my gut like leaky bacteria. I mean, how was I supposed to just walk up to him and sayI like youwhen I’d never done that to any other human being on planet earth before?
Ugh, I really shouldn’t have been so addicted to studying.You were focused.I’d had Ellynn to worry about, not to mention my own desire for success. And I had succeeded. There were accolades shoved in a box in Chris’s home office. None of which would help me speak to the man I actually wanted to talk to.
“Erykah, are you okay?”
My throat dried as I turned to look at Chris.
He’d been working on his laptop in the living room, approving videos post-edit and looking over a schedule Cameron had created. He hadn’t moved except to grab a cup of tea half an hour ago.
“Yeah. Why?”Congrats. You spoke. Now say what you need to say.
“You seem quieter than usual. You’d talk to me if you needed to, right?”
Why did he have to ask that? Could he see inside my brain to all the jumbled-up emotions within? “Of course. You’re my friend.”
Something flickered in his gaze. Wait, I used the wordfriend.Even I knew that was taboo, but Chriswasmy friend. It was part of the reason why I liked him so much. How could I not when he’d done everything to make me feel comfortable?
Chris was a friend, but he was so much more.
“Chris...” I swallowed. I could do this.Just say it.
“Yeah?”
“I...” I swiped my hand down my yoga pants. Why did my palms have to get so clammy all of a sudden?
I knew the physiology behind the action, but emotionally speaking, my hands needed to dry quickly.
Chris rose to his feet and sat next to me on the couch, where I’d been attempting to read a book. A good book, but the million thoughts occupying my mind meant I hadn’t turned a single page since I’d sat down after tucking Cheyenne into bed. Ash had been asleep for an hour already.
“What’s going on?” He placed a warm hand on my kneecap.
Every nerve ending came alive. I could either gather the courage to say what was on my heart or kiss him.
Oh, great idea. Kissing him would be easier. You wouldn’t have to say anything. Just lean forward and pucker your lips like they do in the movies.
Right. I could do that. I licked my lips just in case they were as dry as the Sahara expanding in my mouth. Nope. Didn’t feel too bad. I stared at his mouth, then froze. I had no idea how to start this other than making duck lips. Why hadn’t I watched a movie to get some tips?
I filtered through some rom-coms.Never Been Kissedcould be a blueprint, but there’s no way I was passing for a high school senior. Not to mention she chickened out and wrote a letter telling the guy about her feelings.
