Page 23 of Fallynn West

I listened to them talk while I ate my lunch. Not too long after, Riley left to go back to her class, leaving me and Olive alone.

Putting the top on her food, Olive questioned, “You’re scared, aren’t you?”

“I am, but I’m honestly trying to go with the flow. I feel like I’m going to fall hard and fast for this man, Olive. Loving his daughter the way I do is probably going to make it worse.” I sighed. “It’s like, I want to open my heart up, but I’m hesitant. I know he is too.”

While I didn’t know the intimate details to Keondra’s past love life, I knew heartbreak when I saw it. He was bringing out a different side to me, one that was rare. Never had I been the one to pursue a man, but I felt like that was what I was doing with Keondra. He was fragile which meant he needed to be handleddifferently. It was odd to me, but deep down, I didn’t mind it. Something told me he was worth it.

“All I can say is continue going with the flow and don’t overthink it. You haven’t dated in a while, Colony, so everything you feel is valid. Just try not to self-sabotage, okay? Give yourself and Keondra a chance. You never know where things could go.”

“Why do you sound like Serenity?”

Olive snickered. “You know we give you the best advice because we have your best interest at heart. Take heed to what we’re saying. We might know a thing or two.”

There was no reason for me to doubt her or Serenity. They’d given me the same advice, and I was taking it to heart. Still, I had my reservations, but I’d continue going with the flow because I was truly interested in Keondra Daily.

Saturday night . . .

My nerves were in a bunch as I put the finishing touches to my look. Keondra was on his way to pick me up, and with each passing second, I could feel myself internally spiraling. Not in a bad way, but in a way where I prayed I was on my best behavior and truly had a good time with Keondra. We’d been alone before, but it would be different tonight.

All I could do was pray everything went well.

Earlier in the day, Keondra told me to dress cute but comfortable. I’d scoured through my closet and didn’t like anything I had, so I went out and got the cutest two-piece short set. It was bright pink, and I loved the way it looked against my skin. I paired it with my favorite white sandals to show offmy freshly pedicured, white toes and silver jewelry. My hair was brushed out my face by a white headband, giving the perfect view of my light makeup.

My doorbell rang, and I briefly froze. Closing my eyes, I whispered a prayer that everything would go well and for God to keep us safe, before grabbing my things to meet Keondra. I blew out a breath and opened the door, only to be met with the most beautiful bouquet of bush lilies I’d ever seen.

“Oh, Keondra. These are beautiful. Thank you,” I expressed, taking them from him and sniffing.

“You’re welcome. Kehlani told me your favorite color was orange, so I thought those were fitting.”

“They are. Do you want to come inside while I put them in water?”

“Sure.”

Keondra entered my home and followed me to the kitchen. His eyes were burning into my back, and I couldn’t help but put a little extra switch in my step. Setting the flowers down, I searched my cabinets for a vase. The only one I found was high up. Keondra came over and got it down without me having to ask. I turned to thank him to find him smothering my personal space.

His fingers met my chin, lifting it for our lips to meet. The kiss was soft and sweet, enough to leave me satisfied while also yearning for more.

“Thank you, Keondra.”

“You ready to go?”

I nodded, and his hand found mine, lacing our fingers together. He led me out to the front, waited for me to lock my door, and made sure I was safely in his truck. For the first few minutes, our ride was silent, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. I believed we were both lost in our thoughts, processing what was going on between us.

“How was your day?” Keondra was the one to break the silence, glancing over at me.

“It was good and busy. I went to see my parents earlier. I hate taking that drive sometimes, but they’re worth it.”

“How far away do they live?”

“Thirty minutes away.” Keondra side-eyed me, and I snickered. “What?”

“That’s not a bad drive. I thought you were going to say two hours or something.”

“For me, that’s a bad drive because I don’t like driving. I’d much rather be chauffeured around, but then again, I don’t know if I can trust other people’s driving either.” It was my turn to side-eye him, and he chuckled.

His tongue trailed over those soft lips of his. “You don’t have anything to worry about with me. I’m carrying precious cargo, so I’m following the law.”

“Aren’t you sweet.”