"Bye, GG!" he waved before we disconnected.
This wasn't how I was expecting my afternoon going, but I wasn’t mad about it now. Jumping up, I quickly went to change out of my slinky red dress and into a pair of cargo jeans, cropped top and sneakers I had brought along. Then I was off to see my boys.
I slid into my car, started it, and let the music fill the space as I pulled off my mind already shifting. By the time I pulled up to Remy’s, whatever irritation I had been holding onto had softened into something different. Anticipation, warmth, and a little bit of nervous energy I couldn’t quite shake.
By the time I walked on the porch, the door was already being opened. Remy stood there smiling with Melo right in front of him bouncing on his toes. "You came!"
Grinning, I stooped down to his eye-level. "Of course I did. I wouldn't miss a chance to hang out with you."
Unexpectedly, he threw his arms around my neck. The tears that stung my eyes were immediate. My arms went around him to hug him against me snugly. He smelled like Johnson's & Johnson's baby lotion. I closed my eyes to keep the tears from falling, but when I opened them, a few slid down anyway.
My eyes moved up to Remy. He had a look on his face that was equal parts heartbreak and love. Giving me a watery smile, he reached down to brush the tears from my face gently.
Melo finally removed his arms from around my neck. "You smell pretty," he smiled.
"So do you, cutie." I tapped his nose gently.
Remy rubbed the top of his son's head. "Let her come in, buddy. Go get your shoes on, okay?"
"Okay!" Melo nodded and dashed to the back.
Remy took my hand and pulled me inside, closing the door behind me before pulling me into his arms. "Thank you for coming," he murmured into my neck.
"Thank you for inviting me." I pulled back slightly to kiss him. "I'm looking forward to spending time with you guys."
"So are we." He kissed me again. "Full disclaimer—my son is high energy."
I thumbed my gloss off his lips. "No disclaimer needed. I'm okay with that. I'm prepared to run, jump and do all that."
Remy smiled warmly. "Yeah?"
"Yes, handsome." I held his face in my hands. "Don’t worry. We're going to be fine and have a wonderful time."
He nodded, squeezing me around the waist. "How long do we have you till?"
"About four. Then I have to head back."
Exhaling sharply, he nodded once. "Okay."
I kissed him one final time before we pulled apart and Melo came barreling back in. "Ready!" he announced taking my hand.
"Let's go," I smiled, leading him to Remy's car.
“Seatbelt check,” Remy said, tugging it lightly when Melo was buckled in.
“I’m good,” Melo replied proudly.
“Alright then,” he smiled, closing the door before coming around to the passenger side for me. He opened it, waiting until I slid in before shutting it gently. Moments later, he was in the driver’s seat, pulling off.
The ride was easy. Melo talked the entire way, bouncing between topics like his mind was moving faster than his words—school, cartoons, what flavor froyo he was going to get, and how he was going to beat us both at the park.
“You're not beating me,” I laughed, turning slightly in my seat to look at him.
“I am!” he insisted.
“We gon’ see,” I teased.
Remy glanced over at me, smiling softly before turning his attention back to the road. “He’s been talking about this all morning,” he said.
