Page 19 of Meet Me at the Altar

“Maybe you shouldn’t have left her behind,” I stated, staring into his beautiful, russet-brown eyes.

“I kept my promise and returned. All I want is to heal our past and implement our vows, Mrs. Jones.”

I scoffed. “I don’t recall accepting your proposal.”

He leaned in and brushed his lips against mine. “I don’t recall you giving that ring back, and it looked so damn good on your finger when I placed it on there,” he muttered against my lips.

My heart sped up triple time, and my panties grew wet.

“So full of yourself.”

“No, but you will be soon.”

He captured my lips with his full heart-shaped ones. They were just as soft as I remembered, and they had the power to make me forget about the missing ten years and all the pain in between. I wanted exactly what Andrès was offering.

Chapter 6

Andrès

“It’s hot as shit up here. Why is Mommy having us do this again?” Kalliope whined to her older sister, Kelsey.

“Girl, I don’t even know. It’s dumb,” Kelsey muttered.

Mr. and Mrs. Robinson had four children, and Kalliope was the baby. Khatya was the oldest, then her only brother Kordell Jr., or KJ, and then Kelsey was a little more than a year older than Kalliope. They had been extremely close growing up, and I figured they still were.

“Because I said so. Kalliope Marie Robinson and Kelsey Michelle Robinson, I swear y’all better watch your mouths.”

“Oop!” Kelsey whooped.

I stood behind Mrs. Robinson at the attic door, and I stifled my chuckle; otherwise, I would be on the receiving end of the glare she gave her daughters.

Although I could see the girls, they couldn’t see me. Kalli pulled her tank top away from her body and blew down the front of it. “Mommy, it’s hotter than Hades up here. Why doesn’t Khat and KJ have to be here?” Kalli whined.

“Because Khat has to work a double tonight, and KJ did his part last weekend. He didn’t have as much stuff as you girls.”

“Mommy, why are we doing this again?” Kelsey asked.

“Because your daddy and I are selling the house. We’re ready to downsize.”

“Y’all say that every other year,” Kelsey mumbled.

“We’re serious this year. We’ve even met with a realtor who did a walk-through and advised us of everything we need to do to prepare the house to sell, and it starts with this attic,” Mrs. Robinson explained.

“But why? This is our childhood home, and we’ve got so many memories here,” Kalli argued.

“You’re welcome to buy it.” Mrs. Robinson had always been quick with her comebacks. I wasn’t sure why her children even tried her. When Kalli didn’t say another word, her mother stated, “Oh, and fix your face. Drè is here.” She wore a smug look as she moved out of the way so that Kalli could see me.

“Ohmigosh.” Kalli breathed and hurriedly straightened her shirt and hair.

“Boy, I hope you came to save us or help us,” Kelsey retorted.

“Not hardly,” I replied with a chuckle.

“His appearance will give you girls a one-hour break, and that’s it,” Mrs. Robinson declared as she turned back toward the steps.

“Kassi, let them girls out of that attic. They can finish next weekend,” their father, Kordell Sr., hollered from the bottom of the stairwell.

Mrs. Robinson headed down the stairs to argue with him, and both girls stuck their tongues out and hopped off their stools.