Page 98 of Alpha Bait

"Something tells me that white boy would die for you," my mother replied with a wink.

I nodded and agreed that I should talk to him. My mother walked me to my brother's room again and I went inside, which prompted Donnie to leave. I guess he wasn't so trusting as to leave Rich alone with my brother the way my mother had.

"Indie..."

"I know," I replied, "My hair's different."

"Not that. I never thought I'd see you again."

He stretched his arms out and I raced into them, wrapping my arms tightly around him and pressing my head into his chest. He clutched my head close to him and kissed the top of it.

"I'm here."

Rich was different. He was still attractive, tall and his eyes were still that gorgeous shade of blue. His beard was longer, as was his hair, but I liked those features on him and I appreciated his deep tanned skin. He must have returned recently.

"My mother thinks I should leave New York," I announced once I pulled away.

"Leave New York?"

I nodded.

"Where would you go?" He asked.

"I don't know. She thinks you might have some idea."

"Your mother?"

I nodded.

He chuckled, "No way. A Holloway and a Carmichael together?"

"Sounds crazy, doesn't it?"

"It just might work, though," he replied.

"It just might."

I rushed into his arms again and kissed him.

"We could go to Italy," he suggested.

"Or France," I added.

"Perhaps Fiji?"

"Now there's an idea."

"How soon can you be ready," he teased.

"As soon as you're ready to go."

He kissed me again and pulled away.

"Listen, Indie, I never got to tell you this but --"

"I love you," I blurted out.

"Yes," he replied, "I love you. That's exactly what I was going to say."