Page 67 of Wilde Hearts

We’d started to head toward the front porch when Ensley stopped again, turning to face me. “I will say this—you’d better make our first date as romantic as Caden did for Lilibeth.”

I blinked a few times. “Wait, what does that mean? I have no idea what he did though.”

She gave a one-shoulder shrug. “That’s a you problem.”

Turning on the heel of her boot, she marched up the steps to her parents’ house and walked inside. I jogged up the steps and followed. My heart was racing, and I wasn’t sure if it was from excitement or fear.

Once inside, I drew in a deep breath and moaned. “Oh my gosh, please tell me your mother made her meatballs.”

Ensley glanced over her shoulder as she took her coat off and hung it up. She reached for mine as she said, “Do you really think my mother would make your favorite meal? She said she was making tacos—my favorite meal.”

I shrugged. “Can’t blame a guy for wishful thinking.”

“You’re both here!” Vivianne said, as she walked into the living room, first hugging her daughter, then me.

She pushed me back and gave me a once-over. “I made your favorite—meatball subs.”

I looked over Vivianne’s head to see Ensley standing there with her mouth open in shock. I smiled at Vivianne. “I thought I smelled them!”

Wrapping her arm around mine, she guided us through the living room and into the kitchen. As we passed Ensley, I shot her a smirk, and swore I heard her growl.

Once in the kitchen, I spotted her father, preparing a salad. “Hey, Colt.”

“How’s it going, Mr. Wilde?”

He laughed. “Just call me Ladd. My father is Mr. Wilde.”

Ensley made her way into the kitchen and kissed her father on the cheek, then looked down at the salad. “What’s this?”

Looking at the bowl in front of him, then back to his daughter, he said, “A salad.”

With a shake of her head, Ensley put her hands on her hips. “No, that’s Colt’s favorite salad.”

Vivianne laughed. “I make that salad all the time. You love it, Ensley.”

When Ensley looked my way, I raised my brows.

“I like the air-fried garbanzo beans, that’s it.”

Vivianne reached into the refrigerator and took out salad dressing. “You request this salad constantly, sweetheart.”

Ensley glared at her mother. “Mother…I do not.”

Vivianne looked from Ensley to me, then back to her daughter. “Ohhh…I see what’s going on here. That’s right, dear. You do not request this salad all the time, nor do you ask me to make meatballs when you’re feeling blue.”

Ensley blushed, then threw her hands up in the air.

I blinked a few times and looked at Ladd. I must have had a pleading expression on my face because he held up both hands. “Don’t look at me for advice, I’ve got none for you.”

Focusing back on Ensley, I opened my mouth to speak, but she shoved her finger into my chest. “You make me so angry, I want to just punch you!”

“Okay.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Okay? Okay what?”

“Punch me.”

“Ahhh…I’d like to remind you who it is you’re talking to there, Colt. Do you remember when she punched Gatlin and broke his nose?” Ladd said.