“I highly doubt that. Let me think. Isn’t movie in the square tonight?” she asked.
I’d thought about that, but I wasn’t sure if she wanted to go Rose Haven official. Once we went anywhere within the community together, it was over.
“Nah, can’t take her there on a first date. All your little friends gone have my name up and through the street.”
She rolled her eyes and laughed, knowing I was right about her home girls.
“Those hussies do know how to spread a little gossip. Yeah, that might not work.”
Before she could say another word, Heiress came bouncing into the kitchen in small pajama shorts and a cutoff top. She slowed up her steps when she saw me, then walked over to hug me. I obliged, then returned my attention back to my grandma, waiting for her response.
“What y’all in here talking about?” Heiress asked.
I groaned, then bit into my apple.
“Duke is trying to figure out where to take this little girl on a date.”
Heiress lifted a brow in my direction and crossed her arms against her chest.
“Wait, so you’re dating? You didn’t tell me anything about this.”
I shrugged, biting back what I really wanted to say. Heiress was acting like we talked like that sometimes—and we didn’t. And I damn sure wasn’t trying to hear my grandma go on about how disrespectful I was being.
“Yeah.” I replied.
Her smile dropped. I knew she expected me to say more, but I didn’t have much else to say.
“I was telling him to take her to movies in the square, but he doesn’t want the girls gossiping.”
Heiress shrugged and hopped up onto the counter, then grabbed an apple from the basket.
“He’s right. Just take her to that karaoke bar on the outskirts of town. It’s private and you don’t have to worry about folks being in your business. Oh, and you get to laugh at folks sounding terrible.”
I hated to admit she was onto something. I stood from where I’d been leaning and walked towards the door to the kitchen.
“Uh, so are you going?” Heiress asked.
I glanced over my shoulder. My grandma was also waiting for a response as well. I shrugged with a smile, then nodded.
“If she doesn’t call me back after this. I’m blaming you.” I told her jokingly.
“What’s new?” Heiress asked under her breath.
I chose not to comment because this conversation would only fuck up my night, and I had plans to show Solana I could give her everything she needed.
EARLIER THAT DAY…
Jessa and Aubreewere helping me with the shop today since I had a date with Duke later. They’d been giving me shit ever since they found out I was going out with that man somewhere. I knew kissing him would open doors I wasn’t sure I was ready for, but damn if I didn’t want to try.
I didn’t know if it was the danger that lingered around him or the quiet strength he carried—something I didn’t realize I needed. Or maybe it was the way I didn’t feel like Amore when I was with him. I felt like Solana Wright. The girl who could bake her ass off. The girl who could walk into a room and be seen—without saying a word.
I wanted to feel without stipulations. Without looking over my shoulder, wondering who was coming for me next becausethey wanted to own me. I deserved more than that, and Duke felt like more.
Anytime he came around, it felt like my mother was in the room with us. And when he left, the feeling of her left with him.
“Solana, you hear me?” Jessa asked.
I glanced up from the dough I was rolling out in front of me. I’d flattened it thinner than a damn pancake. I placed the roller on the side of it and looked toward the door to see Jessa with a knowing smile.