“I’m aware of that, too.”
“And her girls never had a dad. Nova doesn’t date. If you start hanging around, they’re bound to view you as their daddy. What happens if you break up?”
“I don’t know.”
Goldie frowned. “Why her?”
“I said I don’t know.”
My sister sighed. “People are weak. First, Elle went extra stupid over Zodiac. I couldn’t understand why she didn’t choose to blow him off. I guess they’re in love, but I still think there’s a choice involved. Now, you’re acting like you have no control over yourself.”
I pressed my hand on my chest and sighed. “My heart has felt weird since I met her.”
“I think you’re still dealing with the trauma of being locked up.”
“That’s what I thought, but I was wrong. Besides, Nova likes me, too.”
“She doesn’t even know you.”
“Are you saying I’m not likable?”
Goldie broke into a smile. “Don’t try to guilt me, little brother. My heart is ice cold.”
“Yet, you’re up early to help me win Nova’s affections.”
“Well, I was planning to talk you out of it,” Goldie said and scowled hard at me before shrugging. “But I’ve been doing that for months. We’ve gone through these same bullet points plenty of times. I figure if you’re making your move, I should help you.”
Smiling, I set down the coffee cup and leaned forward. “I want to go to her house today.”
“Vanessa said she got you a date.”
“I’m not waiting until then.”
Narrowing her eyes, Goldie muttered, “You take after Mom too much.”
“Thank you.”
Goldie’s grin told me that she was on the same page. We came up with ideas to ease my way into Nova’s good graces. Mostly, I was worried about freaking out her daughters. A mama bear like Nova would cut me loose if I upset her daughters, even if she thought I was the sexiest beast in the world.
Based on how quickly Skylar and Lyric chose to invite me into their house, my bribery did the trick. Nova remained cagey. Though I wasn’t a stranger, she was right to keep her guard up with a new man around her girls.
Despite her mama bear energy, Nova gave away her desire for me whenever she thought I wasn’t looking.
As Skylar showed me her school drawing, I caught her mama smiling sweetly over the roses I brought. I had wanted red ones like I saw in movies, but Goldie said they were too intense. Pink and white would feel softer and less threatening. My sister might have been overthinking the situation, but I couldn’t deny that Nova seemed downright giddy over the roses.
Giving Nova a few minutes to get herself together, I talked to the girls. Goldie had prepped me for that, too.
“They like their dogs,” my sister insisted. “Mention Beef Jerky. Oh, and the girls love to talk, so your silent temperament will likely be appreciated.”
Once I mentioned my dog to Lyric and Skylar, they spent the next five minutes speaking over each other about their dog, Ramen.
“Xena is our dog, too,” Lyric told me as I squatted between the girls in front of the dog bed where their spaniel mix cuddled. “Lula said we are the dog’s friends.”
“I have a little dog, too,” I said and showed them a picture on my phone. “Beef Jerky lives with my mom right now, but I’m planning to bring him to my place soon.”
The girls’ faces lit up when they saw a picture of my goofy dog.
“I’ll be his friend,” Lyric said and looked at Nova. “Look at Beef Jerky, Mama.”
