King grabbed a handful of nachos, devouring them before washing them down with some of Laura’s soda. “We can makemore.”
Hicks kicked back at the farther end of the L-shaped leather sectional and pressed the hidden button on the side activating the automatic recliner. “Hey, pass me thosenachos.”
Audra strolled into the room, a bright blue dress hanging down to her calves. King could see Diggs eyeing her from across the room. “You’re wearing the wrong colors,babe.”
Audra planted a hand on her hip. “You don’t like mydress?”
Diggs threw his half-eaten hamburger down, crossed the room, snatched her up into his arms and thoroughly kissed her in front of everyone. King couldn’t help butchuckle.
Diggs set her down. “I didn’t say anything about not liking your dress, darlin’. Just that it’s the wrong color. You’re supposed to be supporting your man today.” Diggs pointed at his royal purple T-shirt. “We’ve got to root for King’sTigers.”
“King, you don’t like my dress either?” Audra called out around Diggs’sshoulder.
Diggs made a low growling sound. “King doesn’t have an opinion about my woman’sdress.”
King called out, “Got to agree with Diggs. Purple would’ve beenbetter.”
Another soft feminine voice filled the room. “Then I guess you won’t like mineeither?”
King turned to see Laura standing in the doorway, a T-shirt style blue and orange dress hugging the curves of her body. The neckline dipped a little low, revealing a hint of her cleavage. King’s mouth watered. She was gorgeous. “I didn’t say that,chère.”
A huge grin stretched across Laura’s face. “I decided this was the best way to reveal my last littlesecret.”
“And what’s that?” King asked softly, rising from the couch, unwilling to wait for her to come tohim.
Laura’s grin grew even bigger and she held up a hand, indicating for him to stop just a couple of feet away. Then she reached behind the door and tugged Faith into the room. King groaned out loud. “You’re a Gator’sfan.”
Faith wheeled and did a full 360. “Do you like it, UncleKing?”
He smiled, dropped to a knee, holding out his arms wide. “You look absolutelystunning.”
“Go Gators!” Faith dove into his arms, laughing and wiggling. “Look, I made Kitty match you.” She waved the tattered cat in hisface.
King grabbed Kitty before she took out his one good eye and got a good look at the cat’s new eye patch. He had to choke back his laughter. “Did you dothis?”
Faith nodded enthusiastically. “Suredid.”
King stood up and notched her against his hip and then held out his other arm for Laura. “Did you know aboutthis?”
She went to him easily and naturally, fitting against his side like she’d been made just for him. “Not Kitty. That was allFaith.”
King’s heart swelled, warming his very soul. He dropped a kiss on Laura’s head, taking that moment to savor her scent and feel her body against him. “Thank you,” he saidhoarsely.
She tilted her head to look up at him. “Forwhat?”
“For giving me back my life.” And for giving him back his hope. “I loveyou.”
The heartbeat passed between them. They connected on an entirely different level. That moment King forgot everyone else in the room, everyone in his past and everyone in his future. There was only Laura, and it would always beher.
“I love you too,” shesaid.
Faith pounded on their shoulders, drawing both of their attention back to her. “Chips?”
King chuckled and set her down, watching in amusement as she raced across the floor and plopped down next to Juarez. “Can I have some chips, Mr.Juarez?”
“You can have the whole plate, sweet thing.” Juarez laid the huge platter of nachos in Faith’s lap, helping her to balanceit.
King took that moment to lay a deep kiss on Laura. Then he set her down, turned her and swatted her on the butt. “We’re still going to have a talk about your misguided loyalty to the wrong footballteam.”
