“Me too. Well, the true life stories, not the romance ones,” I interjected as they both giggled.
“Huh. Well, I like to read science books and books about music. But for fun, I love adventure books, especially if the girl is the one who saves everyone,” MJ said enthusiastically, making Vicky and me laugh.
“I used to love the Nancy Drew stories when I was your age. I found them in the library, and they helped me with some of my English classes,” Vicky said.
“I like you a lot, Vicky, but I don’t want to read kissing books yet,” MJ said with a look of disgust on her face, which made me deliriously happy.
“Good. No kissing til you’re thirty!” I exclaimed, eating another taco, the tangy BBQ sauce making my taste buds zing. I noticed that Vicky was still taking tiny bites of her first one.
“Jojo in my pottery class, you know the one I told you about earlier? Anyway, she said she can’t wait forherfirst kiss. She said she knows who it will be with, too.”
I made a mental note never to let MJ go to Jojo’s house. Ever.
Who was this menace?
“Ah, well, a first kiss is something special. Something you’ll never forget, I’m sure,” Vicky whispered.
Her eyes met mine across the table, and something inside me sparked again. It was a current I couldn’t trace or explain. As MJ chattered on about a funny story with someone in her class and a frog, my mind had already gone quiet, caught between logic and something far less definable. Every beat of my heart contradicted the order I lived by.
Whatever this was, it didn’t follow rules, and maybe that’s why I couldn’t look away. Not yet, anyway. What we felt was undeniable but not allowed. Selfishly, I seized this moment, knowing it was all we could ever have.
“Don’t you think so, Daddy?” MJ’s question broke the connection as I swung my head down to look at her.
“I’m sorry, kiddo. Mind wandered off. What was that?”
“Jojo said her mom told her that you gotta kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince.” Her face screwed up at the thought as she took her plate to the sink.
“I think you need to stop hanging out with Jojo,” I said firmly. “Vicky, do you want another taco before I pick this all up?”
She cleared her throat and answered, “No, no. I’m all done. Let’s get to work if you’re ready. Or I can just do it. Don’t feel obligated.”
“Are you serious? You come out here to help with this project and expect me to just sit and watch you?”
Open mouth. Insert foot. Again.
She bit her lip, forcing me to look away. “Nope. So, I guess we’re all painting then.”
“Yes,” MJ hissed, thrusting her hand in the air as if she’d just been told she wouldn’t have chores for the rest of the year. She raced to her room, yelling something about changing clothes.
“I really appreciate this. You’ve definitely proven you go above and beyond for your clients,” I said, clearing off the counter.
“My boss has made it clear that I’m at your disposal, so I was happy to help.”
MJ yelled from her room, “Told ya so,” making us both laugh.
“You’ll live to regret that, I’m sure,” I warned. “Okay, give me your keys and I’ll grab the stuff you brought. Make yourself at home.”
Our eyes met briefly again before she stepped into the living room to assess what needed to be done. The fresh air helped as I gave myself a stern talk about not making a fool of myself.
I took that opportunity alone to text Katy again.
Me:Hey, I know I mentioned it, but MJ would love to do a video call soon to talk about her new room.
I gathered all the items and locked her door. When my phone pinged, I juggled the bags to check the incoming text.
Katy:Tell my girl I’ll do that soon. Got a chance to audition in Austin!
Blowing out a heavy breath, I answered.
