Page 121 of Kissed By the Trillest Thug 2

MJ

I glanced at the clock on the microwave for what had to be the twentieth time. Penn would be here any minute. I had already vacuumed and straightened the couch pillows. I made sure there were enough snacks for us too. I rearranged the bouquet on the kitchen island more times than I cared to admit. Pops wasn’t lying, that baby’s breath really did make the roses look better. Before I could second-guess myself again, I heard the lock click. The apartment door opened.

“I’m here,” Penelope called.

“I’m in the kitchen.”

She walked in wearing one of those oversized MDC hoodies she loved with a pair of black leggings. Her backpack was hanging from one shoulder.

She smiled when she saw me.

“Hey you,” she cooed.

“Hey.”

Then her eyes drifted toward the island. She froze mid-step.

“MJ…”

I rubbed the back of my neck nervously.

“What?”

She slowly walked over to the flowers like she couldn’t quite believe they were sitting there.

“Are these…”

“They’re yours,” I confirmed.

“For me?” she still had to ask.

I nodded.

“You told me your favorite color was pink one day when we were leaving campus. I remembered.”

She looked down at the bouquet again. It was two dozen pink roses surrounded by tiny white baby’s breath. She reached out and gently brushed her fingers across one of the petals.

“I’m glad you like ‘em,” I said with a smile.

She looked up at me with the prettiest smile I’d ever seen.

“I don’t like them… I love them.”

I let out the breath I’d been holding.

“Don’t do that,” she giggled.

“I couldn’t help it,” she teased.

She picked up the bouquet before wrapping one arm around my neck and pulling me in for a quick hug. I got a quick whiff of her floral scent, and it made me smile.

“Thank you,” she said when she pulled back from our hug.

“You ain’t gotta thank me.”

“I know, but I wanted to.”

She carried the flowers over to the sink, filled a vase with water, and carefully arranged them on the counter. I leaned against the island and just watched her. She always took her time. Nothing she did ever felt rushed. Not studying, talking, not even arranging flowers.