“Mr. Charming planning a special date?” I hitch a playful brow.
“Knowing him, probably.” She snorts out a laugh.
“Who knew he was such a romantic?”
“He’s incredible.” She lets out a sigh of contentment.
“Rub it in, why don’t ya?” I grumble. “That’s what I get for letting you swoop in,” I tease.
It’s no secret that I had a bit of a crush on River myself in the beginning. How could I not have? He’s older. Mature. Established. And drop dead freaking gorgeous. Who wouldn’t want a man like that? But it was pretty apparent from the beginning that he had his eye on the beautiful, fiery redhead sitting across from me, and honestly, who could blame him?
“Ha. Ha,” she deadpans, tossing her hair over her shoulder as she pushes to a stand. “Speaking of River, I should probably get going. He expected me home right after class.”
“You didn’t tell him you were stopping by to see me?” I stand as well, my joints groaning from sitting in the same position for too long.
“I forgot.” She snickers. “But he hasn’t texted me, so he’s probably still busy with work.”
“I still can’t believe that man uprooted his entire life and moved here to be with you,” I say, walking her to the door. “Your vagina must be magic.”
“How did you know?” She laughs, tugging open the door.
“Get out of here.” I playfully shove her shoulder as she steps out into the hallway.
“Have fun with your family.” She gives me a little wave.
“Have fun with Prince Charming,” I call back.
She stops at the hall’s bend, throwing me one last look over her shoulder.
“Oh, I plan too.” She winks, her whole face lit up with her smile.
“Must be nice,” I grumble under my breath as I watch her disappear around the corner seconds later.
“There she is.” My mom throws her arms around my neck the instant Kai and I enter the backyard, which is full of people—some standing around talking, some lounging in chairs by the pool or even swimming—enjoying the warmer weather that will soon come to an end.
“Hi, Mama.” I squeeze an arm around her middle, blowing a lock of her blonde hair out of my face.
She pulls back, her hands sliding up to my cheeks.
“Are you eating enough? You look like you’ve lost weight.” Eyes nearly the exact same shade as my own but slightly darker trace my face.
My mom is my polar opposite. Pale skin. Almost white, blonde hair. Super petite, standing just over five feet. She’s a tiny little white woman, whereas I am most definitely not.
Where my mom is fair-skinned and rather small, my father is dark-skinned and tall, with shoulders so broad he looks like a football player. I guess it’s true what they say—opposites really do attract.
I am a blend of both of them, both in looks and personality. My skin is the lightest shade of brown, the perfect combination of light and dark. My hair is dark like myfather’s. My eyes blue like my mother’s. And my stature is somewhere in between. I’m a few inches taller than my mom but nowhere near as tall as my father, who is nearly a foot taller than me.
My dad is loud and boisterous. My mom mild-mannered and reserved, unless you piss her off. Then you better be running because she’ll likely claw your eyeballs out. I guess you could say I get that from her. Not the mild-manneredness. I haven’t been mild-mannered a day in my life. But I will rip your face off if you cross me.
“Soccer,” I say in way of explanation. I always lose a few pounds when the season starts because of the physical demands of it.
“You should be eating more.” She tsks at me before turning to the man standing next to me.
Kai embraces my mother with open arms. She disappears into his muscular frame for a few brief seconds before she steps back to look him over in the same manner she just did me.
“Love looks good on you.” She pats his cheek adoringly.
“I think so too,” he agrees, and I internally grumble at how pathetically happy he is.
