Page 24 of Love You Still
“Flattery will get you everywhere.” She snickers before pulling back, her hand cupping my cheek softly. “But remember, there’s no need to be nervous, honey. Selina still loves you; we can all see it. You just need to be patient with her. She’s afraid of a lot more than just getting her heart broken.”
If anyone would know what Selina was feeling, it would be her mother. Selina and her mother are very close. Selina used to tell her mother everything, and I meaneverything, but she never used it against us. I can’t deny the chemistry that sparked between us at the dance studio a few days ago. There’s still something there between us. I can feel it in my soul, but hearing Patricia confirm my suspicions gives me hope. It might be a little easier to win Selina back than I originally believed.
“I hope you’re right,” I whisper, pulling her in for a tight squeeze before grabbing one of the bouquets off the counter and handing it to her. “For you, milady.”
She takes them from me with a smile, pulling them to her nose before inhaling deeply. “I should chastise you for bringing them, but I know my words will fall on deaf ears.”
“It would. I also brought a bottle of your favorite wine.” I motion my head toward the bottle sitting to the right of Selina’s flowers.
“Good thing I made your favorite for dinner. Think of it as a thank-you for an amazing gift.”
Patricia Grymes makes the best chicken pot pie this side of the Mississippi River. People have promised to name their firstborn children after her for a chance to sneak a peek at her recipe, and she always refuses. She’s made it for me a handful of times, but it’s been over a year since the last time I had it.
I immediately drop onto one knee and grasp her hands in mine. “Please leave Allen and marry me, Patricia. Then I can have chicken pot pie every day for the rest of my life.”
Selina strolls into the room, coming to a stop a few feet away from us. “So, now you want to spend the rest of your life with my mother, huh?”
I push to my feet and turn toward the familiar, sultry voice as my eyes scan Selina’s body, looking exactly like the girl I fell in love with all those years ago. Her long chocolate-brown hair cascades down her back, framing her face. Her long, gorgeous legs look as if they were painted into the pair of ripped dark-wash jeans she’s wearing. She has on red patent leather heels that catch the reflection of the lights in the room as she makes her way closer to me. To finish the ensemble, she’s wearing a loose-fitting low-cut shirt the same color as her shoes, showing just enough skin to make my mouth water.
“My eyes are up here, Vance.” Her eyes are bright with amusement as a sensual smile spreads across her face.
“Can you blame me?”
“I don’t. She looks smoking hot,” Leia chimes in as she comes into the room, walking right past me and planting a kiss on Patricia’s cheek. She whispers something into her ear, which causes them both to laugh loudly.
“Do I even want to know what you two are over there giggling about?” Selina asks, as I wrap my arms around her waist and bring her close to my chest.
“You look beautiful,” I whisper into her ear before burying my nose into the crook of her neck and inhaling deeply.
Selina’s entire body sags into my embrace as she wraps her arms around my waist, sliding her hands into my back pockets like she used to do when we were younger. We stand there for a few minutes, enjoying being in each other’s arms again before Leia’s voice breaks the spell. “My stomach is about to eat itself! Momma G, please tell me that dinner is ready.”
“We can eat as soon as you and Selina set the table.”
“We’re on it, Mom,” Selina replies as she unravels herself from my grasp and veers toward her mother.
My eyes remain locked on her as she moves around the kitchen. The two of them work together, grabbing everything they need to set the table for dinner and disappearing into the dining room to the left of the kitchen.
“Don’t forget the flowers,” Allen says as he claps me hard on the shoulder, causing me to jump slightly.
“Right. The flowers.” I grab the bouquet of flowers I picked up for Selina off the island and walks into the dining room.
Selina and Leia are arguing quietly on the other side of the table. Each one points to a different seat, their hands waving wildly in the air as they argue. “Anything I can help with?”
Both their heads swivel in my direction. Selina’s cheeks turn a delicious shade of pink as her eyes drop to the table in front of her.
“We need you to pick a seat,” Leia huffs, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Where is Selina sitting?” I ask, wanting every chance I can get to be near her.
“See! I told you he was going to say that.” Leia rolls her eyes before pulling out the chair to the right and plopping down into the seat.
“I just wasn’t sure where I fit into family dinner anymore,” Selina murmurs, barely loud enough for me to hear. “I know you guys have been having dinner together while I was in New Yorkand probably have a certain way that you do things. I don’t want to intrude.”
“How can you intrude on your own family dinner?” Patricia says from behind me as she places the casserole dish containing the chicken pot pie in the center of the table.
“I think someone is nervous,” Allen says as he places a basket of rolls on the table and takes a seat at the head of the table to my left.
“Dad!” Selina whines before pulling out the chair beside Leia, taking a seat, and dropping her head into her hands.