Chapter 177: Reunited With Her Best Friends

CHAPTER 177

ZYLIAH'S POV

"I had massive fun this afternoon, Kevin." I edged forward to bring his face close enough to drop a kiss on his mouth.

He trapped my lips with his, elongating the kiss. It was sweet, actually. And he was a gentleman to the core. No inappropriate words or touchy-feely that made me feel objectified or uncomfortable.

Hell, the whole afternoon unplanned date had even gone better than I'd thought. He didn't bring up what happened earlier on. Didn't force me to talk about it.

I knew he would be interested in knowing; he just wanted to respect my space, and if I wanted to tell him, it should be on my own time and of my own accord.

He broke off the kiss.

"I'm glad you did. Feel better now?" He tenderly tucked a wild strand behind my ear, brushing my face in the process.

I nodded. "Yes. All thanks to you."

"I'm glad you do feel better."

Moments of silence that were anything but awkward. It was more warm and comfortable. His eyes roamed my face; he had a smile on.

"I'll be going in," I said after a moment.

"I'll get it for you. We'll be going in together." He got down carrying four bags from the backseat.

"Can I help you with one of those bags?" I made to take one of the bags from him.

He shifted the two bags to the other hand, already carrying two. "My mama would give me the whooping of my life if I let a woman burden herself with loads."

I gave off a small, amused laugh. "I'd like to meet her someday. She sounds like a strong, formidable woman."

"You will. And that she is." He mirrored the beam on my face.

Hand in hand, we walked inside, chatting about some funny events that had happened when he was young and full of mischief and how his mom had reacted to every one of his mischiefs.

I was laughing my ass off by the time we reached the living room.

"And she's back."

The familiar voice paused me in my tracks. My laugh died down as my eyes widened in shock and disbelief.

Natalie. Delia. Oh God!

I released myself from Kevin's hold, ran over, meeting them halfway, and the three of us hugged tightly.

Our squeals filled the room, a symphony of joy that made my eyes sting with happy tears.

"Oh my goodness, I've missed you so much! I've tried calling your numbers, but they weren't going through." I rambled off breathlessly, still finding comfort in the trio's embrace.

"We missed you so much as well, Zee." Natalie sounded as happy as I was.

"True talk." Delia sighed happily.

"Grandma Charlotte, where did you see them? How were you able to find them?"

Grandma Charlotte had on a pleasant expression, watching us best friends be happy to see one another. "I didn't. They found us. They came in moments after you left."

"Who's this handsome guy?" Delia had a brow quirk, her gaze locking on Kevin's presence.

Oh. I'd almost forgotten about him. I left my best friends to go stand beside him. "This is Kevin Gilmore. Kevin, Natalie, and Delia, my best friends."

"If we're your best friends, then what is he?" Delia was being very sly right now with that question.

"He's her boyfriend," Grandma Charlotte answered in my stead before I could.

"Mama Charlotte." Kevin was amused at the woman's not-so-covert antics.

"Oh. An accent. Dreamy." Delia winked at me. "But wait. Boyfriend?" An inquisitive brow shot up at me, demanding answers.

I emitted a sheepish chortle.

Natalie stepped forward, her smile friendly. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Gilmore."

With his free hand, he accepted the handshake she offered, a friendly smile in place. "Pleasure's mine, Natalie."

"You look American. And sound European. Spanish?" Natalie guessed, staring up at him, urging a response to either prove her wrong or right.

"Yes. My mother is Spanish. Dad is American," Kevin explained.

"You have a lot to explain." Delia spoke in undertones to me before stepping forward to greet Kevin with a friendly handshake and teased him about his accent.

It was done in such a harmless manner that Kevin, rather than take offense, encouraged it by letting out genuine laughs.

He walked over to Grandma Charlotte when he was done with Delia. "Here's what I promised you." To me he directed. "For the kids."

"Oh yeah. Thank you." I'd almost forgotten he'd insisted on getting toys and ice cream for the kids when I told him how much they loved eating ice cream and playing with toys.

Conversationally, I'd told him what flavor each kid preferred. I had a maid to call the kids.

Grandma Charlotte was happy with his choice of gift to her. I didn't even know when he'd bought that, honestly.

Maybe it was during the time I was getting new clothing worthy to go out in.

"Mommy!" Waylen and Casper cut across the gleaming floor in a noisy manner accustomed to kids. Alexa was right behind them.

They attacked me with hugs that almost had my knees buckling. Laughingly, I stooped before them, gathering them in a hug.

"Where did you go, Mommy?" Casper asked.

"I went out with a friend."

"Aunt Natalie and Aunt Delia!" They scrambled away from me, attacking my best friends the same way they had done me.

Oh. They just thought I meant them when I'd said 'friend.'

Natalie teased the three of them on how fast they were growing. Delia tickled Waylen, his laughter filling the room. It made me happy how they included Alexa; the little girl was excited.

Waylen was the first to finally notice Kevin. He paused, distracted by the tall guy in a casual open-buttoned shirt and black pants that made him look as powerful as he was.

The kids had not met Kevin yet. So I used this opportunity to introduce him.

"This is the friend I went out with. Kevin Gilmore," I introduced. "Kevin, my kids, Waylen, Casper, and Alexa."

"Hi." Casper stepped forward, chest puffed and small, chubby hand extended.

Kevin was struggling not to laugh at the humor. He didn't want to hurt the boy's feelings. So with a brow quirked, he accepted the small hand in his. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Williams."

Being referred to as Mr. was obviously the highlight of my son's day because he grinned. "Pleasure is all mine, Mr... Mommy's friend."

That made everyone burst into laughter, including Kevin.

"His name is Kevin Gilmore. Mr. Gilmore, not Mr. Mommy's friend." Alexa's eyes rolled, nudging Casper aside to take Kevin's hand in a handshake. "Hello, Mr. Gilmore."

The latter chuckled. "Hi, beautiful miss."

"I forgot his name." Casper shrugged like it wasn't some kind of big deal.

"There's my other brother. Waylen." She turned to Waylen with what she passed off as a serious look. "Come say hi, Waylen."

Waylen shook Kevin's hands without much fuss; his eyes were already staring longingly at the bag containing their goodies. "Who has that, Mommy?"

"Mr. Gilmore bought you ice cream and toys."

I'd hardly finished when they jumped at me, tugging the bags from my grip.

"Where are your manners?" This was from Grandma Charlotte.

Each with their own bag of goodies, their eyes lit up in appreciative gleam and turned to Kevin. "Thank you."

Alexa made it all the more special by having me hold her bag, then she walked up to Kevin and opened her arms, indicating she wanted to be carried by him.

As soon as he lifted her, she pressed her lips to his cheek. "Thank you for the toys and ice cream."

Kevin's brown eyes softened. "Can I keep you, little angel?"

Alexa giggled at his words. "I can be your friend."

"I can live with that." Gently pressing his own mouth to her left brow, he finally let her down.

"Kissing is for girls," Waylen announced as though Kevin shouldn't expect that from him or his brother.

"Noted, little man. How about a fist bump?" Kevin suggested, curling his fist.

They readily agreed, and the twins' fists bumped him. The three of them ran out the same way they had run in. They had decided their work here, whatever it was, was done.

"I bet you'd want to catch up with your friends." He pulled me to his body, not minding the presence of others.

I flushed a little. "Yes."

"See you tomorrow?" His thumb wouldn't stop caressing my face, tracing every outline.

"Definitely."

When he brought his mouth lower, I was already meeting him halfway.

When we finally pulled away, I felt his presence before I saw him.

The muscles in my stomach clenched. It took every nerve in me not to give in to the urge to steal a look. I forced my focus on Kevin.

"See you tomorrow," I said loud enough for him to hear.

Kevin chuckled and pecked the bridge of my nose. The look in his eyes made me wonder whether he was aware of what I'd just done.

I watched him say his goodbyes to Grandma Charlotte and my best friends, then he was gone.

Slowly, I finally turned and, in an act of whim, met his gaze. I quickly averted mine.

"Zyliah, can we talk?" On the surface, he sounded calm, but I heard the remorse and vulnerability trembling beneath his words.

"Grandma Charlotte, could we go to your room and let Natalie and Delia tell us where they have been all this while?"

Grandma Charlotte glanced at her grandson, then she nodded, her eyes smiling. "Yes, my darling. Let's all go to my room."