“That’s incredible.”
“I was thinking we could somehow team up with their farm and Dog Spaw.” Poppi’s eyes glow with admiration. “I think we could do great things together.”
I laugh a little. “I’m sure you’d like to do some great things with him.”
She smiles. “Shut up. That’s not what I meant.” She nudges her elbow into my arm. “But that too.”
Gavin makes his way back over to us, and before we go, he says, “I’m really sorry about the goat eating your ring, but it was nice meeting the both of you.” He lets go of my hand and shakes Poppi’s. “It was really nice meeting you, Poppi. I’ll call you.”
She smiles. “I hope you do.”
We leave Gavin behind, and on the drive home, Poppi says, “As your best friend, there’s a little something I need to get off my chest.”
I turn to face her. “Ok.”
“I kind of think you’re moving too fast with Henry. There, I said it. I would regret it, if I didn’t say anything.” She glances over at me. “I just want you to be happy, Kiki. And if you really believe Henry can make you that way, then I’ll back off.”
I chew on the inside of my mouth. “I think he can.” But, do I? Do I really think Henry can make me happy? Do I make him happy?
“Just think about it.”
“I will, promise.”
Little does she know, that’s all I’ve been thinking about.
NINE
Ellis
Never dine with the enemy…
“You better be there on time,” I text Urban.
Realistically, I know I can’t avoid my father the whole time I’m here—even if that's exactly what I planned—so when Urban invited me to dinner with both Dad and Yasmin, I agreed. Every part of me would rather pick lint off the floor of my hotel carpet, but I still dress in the suit I brought along and head out for a dreaded family gathering.
On the drive to the country club, Urban doesn’t respond, and I’m tempted to cancel.
Sometimes you have to man up, so I turn the rental I’m driving into the parking lot of the Ocean Reef Club and head toward the valet. As he drives away, I kind of want to chase him down and say never mind. Got to man up, though. Before I enter the building, I send Urban another text.
“Fancy seeing you here,” a male voice says behind me.
I pocket my phone and turn to see Henry. “Hey. What are you doing here?”
“Taking Kiki out to eat,” he says as we step through the glass doors. “We were supposed to meet my parents, but they backed out. What about you?”
I deflate instantly at the mention of his fiancée. “Same, dinner with my father and brother.”
The very second I mention my father, he materializes out of thin air, standing next to Henry. “Henry Faniki, it’s been so long.” My father shakes Henry’s hand and his smooth demeanor and ramrod straight back piss me off. I don’t know what it is about the man, but even the way he breathes pisses me off.
Maybe because I wish he wasn’t.
Yes, I should be punished for the way I’m thinking right now. And as if by magic, the woman I’d love to do the punishing walks toward us in a tight black dress that shows lots of delectable legs. Her hair is swept back off her neck in a low ponytail, and I stare a second too long at the exposed skin. What would it be like to touch her there? God, she’s stunning.
“Ellis, hi.” Her brow furrows but she recovers smoothly with a smile. “I don’t believe we’ve met,” she says to my father. “I’m Kiki, Henry’s fiancée.”
While my father gushes over their marriage, Urban and Yasmin appear.
“Please have dinner with us,” I hear my father say. Before I can interject about how bad of an idea it is, we’re entering the dining area and tables are being pushed together for the six of us. I should have stayed in my hotel and counted the lint.
“A bottle of red and a bottle of white for the table,” my father tells the waiter, like he has all the money in the world. He doesn’t.
And I have no luck. Somehow, I end up seated between Kiki and my brother. It’s ok. I’ll just keep to myself and let my inner monologue entertain me.
“So, she’s the one?” Urban leans over and whispers in my ear.
“She’s not the one. But, yes, she’s that one.” The minute I turn away from my brother, Kiki’s leg brushes against mine under the table. My dick twitches from the contact.
This is too much. I can’t deal with this. Why am I so attracted to her? Why does every little thing she does turn me on? It’s not like I can’t find someone who isn’t fucking off limits.
“So, tonight’s a special night. My son is back in town, and we’re going to celebrate Henry getting married to this lovely woman beside him,” my father, obviously a tad bit drunk already, says as the waiter returns and fills wine glasses.
I smile a polite, tight smile and raise my glass. “Glad to be home.”
Yasmin decides to input her two cents, “We’re so happy you’re here, Ellis.” She assembles her collagen-filled lips into a smile. “Aren’t we, Richard?”
My father nods, pretending he has the perfect family. I don’t know who he’s trying to impress. Henry? Kiki? The waiters? I’m sure it’s more the other members of the club, but I smile back like I don’t wish I had daggers to throw at him.
I don’t want to make a scene with Kiki here. A man who throws a temper tantrum in public can’t call himself a man. I can act like an adult here.
After we order, I reach for my water glass and bump hands with Kiki reaching for the same glass.
“Your glass is on your right,” she says, leaning toward me a little, letting me get a whiff of her sweet perfume.
Her scent transports me back to the afternoon I kissed her. “Right, sorry. Haven’t been in a country club in years.” I take a gulp of water. “I prefer something with less etiquette.”
She smiles. “Yeah. I really only need one fork.”
Exactly. This isn’t my life. And if I’m being honest, I don’t want it to be.
Urban likes this lifestyle. He enjoys brunch on Sundays and playing golf. Me, I want more than superficial. I want to enjoy myself when I’m with my family, not put on a show for everyone to see.
It makes me wonder about Kiki. Is this the life she wants?
It’s obvious Henry fits right into this lifestyle. I bet he even hangs out at this club on weekends.
I’m a silent observer as Yasmin makes small talk with Kiki about her business, while I drain my wine.
“You do dog weddings?” Yasmin asks, lighting up. “I’d love to contact you about that for my babies.”
Kiki hands over her contact information, and I silently wish her luck with the spoiled balls of fluff Yasmin totes around in a designer bag.
“Speaking of weddings,” Henry says, “you up for eating some cake tomorrow in my place?” He stares right at me, waiting for my response.
“No, no, it’s ok,” Kiki says. “I can go with Lola or Poppi.” The ring on her left finger reflects the light from the chandelier overhead and nearly blinds me. I guess she finally got it back from the goat holding it hostage.