CHAPTER 26
TOBIAS BARRETT
Isit on the church pew next to Skyler and Kiki. My brothers take up the rest of the row. Kiki spent yesterday at Ellie’s house quilting, and I got the sense, avoiding me, which is probably for the best. I’ve proven to myself that I can’t be around her without wanting to cross the line. Without wanting to pull her into my arms and show her my true feelings.
I try to listen to what the pastor is saying, but it’s difficult for me to concentrate. Kiki’s wearing the purple dress I bought her, and it hugs her in all the right places. She looks stunning in it.
Skyler scoots closer and Kiki puts her arm around her. As Skyler looks up at Kiki, I see how much adoration she has for her, and it melts my heart. It wouldn’t just break my heart if Kiki left. It would shatter Skyler.
The sermon ends, and I stand up taking Skyler’s hand. “Can I go get a doughnut?” she asks. I nod my assent.
“I can take her down.” Kiki holds out her hand, and Skyler grabs it but doesn’t let go of mine.
“Come on, Daddy. Let’s go together.”
I can’t resist her request, and we all descend the stairs. Ellie comes up to us, beaming. “Miss Kiki, that dress looks amazing on you.”
“Thank you.” Kiki blushes and curls her hair behind her ear. She’s not covering her tattoo anymore, and I’m glad. I know it means a lot to her, and if anyone gave her any guff over it, I’d pound them into the ground.
Skyler picks a doughnut from the table, and I snatch a cup of coffee. “How is the publicity going for that famous artist?”
Ellie fans her face. “I can’t believe it’s all coming together. We’re getting great results from our marketing. The class is already full, and we’ve started a waiting list. We have two new artists willing to showcase their art, and Mackenzie and Dustin agreed to sign autographs after her class.”
“That’s great.” I take a sip of my coffee.
“I hope everything goes well for the festival.” Kiki shifts and doesn’t meet my gaze.
The way she says it spreads panic through my chest, as if she knows she’ll be gone by then. “You’ll be there, right?” I blurt out.
Ellie takes Kiki’s arm. “Of course she’ll be there. I need help setting up. I don’t trust anyone else. Would you come early and help me?”
Kiki looks taken aback. “Me?”
“I need you.”
Kiki hugs her arms. “All right. I can come early and help.”
Ellie pulls out her phone. “You must give me your new number. Tobias told me you got a phone.”
As Kiki exchanges numbers with Ellie, I watch Skyler devour her doughnut, then run off to play with another little girl fromthe congregation. I keep an eye on them as they play by a stack of chairs.
Josephine walks over to us. “Look at you two. You match.” She shoves Kiki next to me, knocking me off balance. I put my arm around Kiki to keep us upright.
“What do you mean?” Kiki says.
“Look.” Josephine points between my tie and Kiki’s dress. They are the same shade of purple.
Kiki laughs. “I guess we do match.”
“Smile. I want a picture of you two. You’re just so adorable.” Josephine takes out her phone and holds it up.
Kiki shakes her head and puts her hand out. “No, thank you. I don’t ever look good in pictures.”
“I won’t post it on the internet.” Josephine fiddles with her phone.
“I’d rather not be in a picture,” Kiki says, but Skyler runs up to us, her mouth covered in doughnut powder.
“Can I be in the picture, too?”
