Page 6 of Calculated Kisses with a Scorpio (BLP Signs of Love #10)

“Dead ass. I just found my future wife, and I see this shit going further than obligation. It goes beyond the way she looks, her short ass just does something to me. I thought I was trippin’ at the store, but tonight when I was in her presence, it was like a bubble formed around us, and only she and I existed. ”

“Damn, baby girl got you ready to write poetry and shit.” We laughed, and I shook my head because he wasn’t lying. “What her pops say?”

I broke down our conversation, and Von agreed.

He wanted to know how I planned to step to Finley, but I had no idea.

I knew that whatever it was, I would have to be intentional because although Mr. White said the past year had been tough on her, I could see her strength.

The woman had almost gone to jail, and someone from the outside looking in would have sworn she was having a regular day.

At the store, her shoulders had been up by her ears, the features of her face were pinched, and her movements choppy.

In just a few hours and in her home, she seemed free and at peace.

The calmness that had wrapped its arms around her had me ready to make sure she always felt like that.

“I should have bet Pops that I didn’t need him or Ma’s help because he gave me thirty days to find someone on my own. Who knew it would only take a few hours?”

“God.”

I chuckled. “Yeah. This is only by His divine intervention.”

I could barely sleep the night before because my mind was on how I’d approach Finley.

Today I’d pull up on her because time was of the essence. When I finally got out of bed, I went straight to my home gym. I wasn’t a gym rat, but diabetes ran in my family, so I did whatever I could to keep my odds low.

After my workout, I headed upstairs and found Kashia raiding my refrigerator.

“Do you mind, stinky?” She pushed me away when I tried to hug her.

“I do mind, actually. Why you here?” I caught the bottled water she tossed at me.

“Just wanted to see my big brother. How was yesterday? Mommy told me Daddy gave you ninety days to get married, and Von told us that you let Camille go.”

She smiled at me, and I knew exactly what that look meant.

Kashia knew that I wasn’t ready to make her a district manager, so it wasn’t a surprise that she wanted Camille’s position.

Currently, she was a floor manager for our Harbors Glen location and could run a store with her eyes closed.

I wouldn’t fight her on moving up, but I’d still have to speak with my father.

Kashia was the baby and the only girl, so she’d get her way.

Plus, she was serious about family business and would do what needed to be done for her store.

“You sure you need me to run things down? Sound like you already know what’s up.”

“Whatever. Let me hear it from you. Ninety days seem close as hell. Are we ready for that?”

I laughed as she took a bite out of one of my apples.

“We? If you had asked me yesterday morning, my answer would have been hell no, but I am sure we’re ready for that.”

Kashia studied me and smirked, but I shook my head.

She should have been a detective because she would have been amazing at it.

If I wasn’t careful, she would pull the information about Finley out of me long before I was ready.

Von ran his mouth about company business, but I didn’t have to worry about him when it came to my personal business.

After talking for a little bit, I went to shower, and Kashia went to the theater room.

I was on a mission today, so it didn’t take me long to get ready.

“Aight, bighead, I’m out. Call me when you leave.” I stuck my head into the theater room.

“Alright, brother. I might be here all day since I’m off, and Karter is too busy being a husband.” She rolled her eyes, and I laughed hard.

“How rude of him to want to spend time with his wife.” I smirked and she waved me off.

I walked into the room, kissed her forehead, and dropped a few bills into her hand in case she got hungry.

As I left my house, I checked my email to make sure I was making good time. I was on my way to Finley’s job and should be arriving around her lunchtime. On my way to her, I stopped at Mary’s Flower Shop to get a flower arrangement of sunflowers.

Finley had a tiny sunflower tattoo on her neck right under her hairline.

“Welcome to Mary’s—” Mrs. Mary’s eyes blossomed as recognition set in. “Kairo Moore! You are looking just like your daddy. How are you? What can I get you?” she spat out so fast I had to chuckle.

“Hi, Mrs. Mary. I’m doing alright; how are you? I’m looking for your best sunflower arrangement.”

She smiled. “I’m doing good for seventy-eight, son. You just stay right there, and I’ll be right back.”

While I waited, I pulled out my cell phone and went to social media.

My presence wasn’t big on any platform, but I had pages on each one.

Unable to help myself, I went to the search bar and typed in Finley’s name.

After about five minutes, I was tempted to throw my cell phone but stopped when I saw her beautiful face surrounded by a body of water.

My heart slowed as I clicked on her page, and every part of me came alive as I waited to stalk her page.

As soon as it loaded, Mrs. Mary tapped me and scared the hell out of me.

“Shit.” I hissed. “I’m sorry for the language, Mrs. Mary, but you scared me.”

She smiled and handed me the vase.

“Then I’m sorry. Would you like to pay for these or have them added to your father’s account?”

I thought about it and decided to put it on his account. Whenever a transaction on credit was finalized, an email went out to the account holder. Pops would receive notification and would be on my line immediately, so this would be my way of telling him.

“You can put it on his account. Thank you for this, and you have a wonderful day.”

She thanked me, and I left with Finley’s arrangement.

I was a grown ass man, so I didn’t get butterflies, but my nerves had settled in my stomach.

The drive from the flower shop to the photography studio was only three blocks, so it took me no time to get there.

The windows were covered with different advertisements, so I couldn’t see inside the building.

I grabbed the flowers, took a deep breath, and walked inside.

Just as I got to the check-in desk, I heard yelling.

“Are you seriously firing me? I told you what happened and even told you I could get Mr. Moore on the phone to prove it, Jacob. How long have I worked for you? You can’t do this to me. Not right now. I don’t know what Benny told you, but?—”

“It’s not about Benny! For the last year, you have been off in your performance, and I can’t take it anymore. You had five appointments yesterday and didn’t show up!”

Something clicked in my head hearing Finley beg this man. I understood that she may have needed this job, but begging was where I drew the line. Without thinking, my feet led me to where the voices were coming from.

“Aye!” Both Finley and who I guessed was her boss jumped.

“I ain’t too pleased with you yelling at her, so calm all that shit down.

” I turned toward Finley. “If he wants to let you go, then that’s his prerogative.

You are better than begging this man like he is the only studio in Rushin Springs, and if he is, then I’ll buy you one, but dead that beggin’ shit. ”

“Mr. Moore?—”

I lifted my hand and shook my head, never taking my eyes off Finley. She folded her arms across her chest and glared at me, but I didn’t care because she would never lower her self-worth in my presence. I was about to speak when another man walked into the office, looking like he owned the place.

“I know this was your doing.”

One second, I watched Finley’s entire body lock up, and the next, I had her wrapped in my arms, prying her hands from the man’s hair . . . What had I just walked in on?