Page 9 of Gaining the Heart of a Gemini (BLP Signs of Love #15)

First Date.

I was on my last client of the day when my phone rang, stopping the music in the background.

Automatically, I assumed it was my father or one of my brothers calling since they’d been blowing me up all day.

They were slowly breaking me down, and I almost felt like I was ready to talk to them.

I would need Mommy present to have my back.

“Who is it?” I asked my client, Felicia, since my back was turned to my phone.

“Klay.”

My hand stopped midstride of applying her blush. Why was he calling me? We’d been texting more, but we had yet to speak on the phone. I chalked it up to him calling by accident and let it ring through, only for him to call right back. I put my earbuds in and answered.

“Hello?”

“Answer the phone the first time I call, mami,” Klay said, sending a chill down my spine. I didn’t give one fuck about him throwing around demands. It was what he called me that got me. Mami with the little Spanish flare was sexy as hell.

“I’m busy, if you must know.”

“What are you doing?”

“A client’s makeup. I’m almost done.”

“How long have you been doing that?”

“Today or in general?” I asked for clarification.

“In general.”

I stepped back to study Felicia’s face. “Uh, about seven years now.”

“How did you get into it?”

“Oh, look who’s talking today. I thought I’d be the only one playing twenty-one questions. You’re engaging. I like it.”

“Are you going to answer my question?”

“I love the way it enhances beauty. It’s a different form of art. I used to watch videos on it all the time, and one day, I decided to try. It took me a while to get it down, but once I did, I didn’t stop.”

“I fuck with it. I’m all for doing what you love in life. What you got up for today?”

“Nothing since someone had me taken off the schedule.”

Klay chuckled. “I have us reservations at Joey’s at seven. You should be receiving a package soon. I’ll be there to pick you up at six, so be ready.”

“And what if I had something to do?”

“You would’ve canceled that shit. I only asked to be nice. Next time, I won’t.”

“Whatever. I’ll see you later.”

“See you, mami.”

The call ended, and I couldn’t contain my smile. Klay was full of surprises. I loved a man who could take charge without being nasty about it. Klay was smooth with it which made me easily agree with it. He was beginning to wear on me in a good way.

Ten minutes later, I finished up Felicia’s makeup. She left, and I got my room cleaned up. It was a little after three, which left me time to watch a few episodes of my favorite show and make some content to post on FameVsYou.

Since I’d been at home, I’d been able to put more into my business.

I couldn’t act like it wasn’t nice. It was something I’d been wanting to do, but working was a way for me to make shit happen on my own.

Between what I had saved and the three hundred thousand Klay gave me, I could start making some business moves.

My doorbell ringing startled me. That quick, I’d forgotten all about Klay informing me about a package. I opened the door without looking through the peephole and immediately tried to close it back upon seeing my father standing there. He gave me a look that made me step back and allow him inside.

I stormed over to my couch and plopped down with my arms folded. Yes, I was throwing a fit at my big age. Once again, I was being forced into a situation.

“I’ve given you more than enough time to get over this shit, Parrish,” were the first words to leave Daddy’s mouth.

I opened my mouth to speak, but he held his hand up.

“Let me finish. I apologize. I was wrong to put you in this predicament, especially without consulting you. It was selfish of me to move forward. I’m not trying to justify my actions, but one of the reasons I did it is because I know Klayton.

He is a good man, much like his father, and I can trust him with you. ”

The sincerity in my father’s tone tugged at my heart. His presence overwhelmed me with emotion, making me realize just how much I missed him. I missed my brothers, too, but they all had me fucked up.

“I accept your apology, Daddy. I do, but this is still hard on me. And it’s not about Klay either.

It’s about you and how you went about it all.

If you would’ve at least come and talked to me about it, then maybe I would’ve been more receptive to it all.

Maybe I wouldn’t be viewing you differently. ”

Daddy’s shoulders slumped, and he frowned. “What you mean by that?”

“Exactly what I said. I don’t look at you how I used to. Now, don’t get me wrong. I still love and adore you the same, but you showed me a side of you I never thought I’d see.”

“I understand.” Daddy sighed, racing his hands down his face before extending his arms. “Can I get a hug?”

As badly as I wanted to be stubborn and refuse, I needed it. I crashed into my father’s arms, immediately feeling like I was home again. Daddy squeezed me and kissed the top of my head.

“I love you, Daddy.”

“I love you too, Parrish. When are you going to talk to your brothers?”

I released him and huffed. “Soon. Give me a few days, and I’ll set up something with them.”

“Be easy on them. You know they were at my head about it for the longest. They didn’t instantly agree with me either, but we all trust Klay.”

My doorbell rang again. Not wanting any more surprises, I actually looked through the peephole to be positive it was my package, and it was. The deliveryman handed me an extra-large box and left.

“What is that?” Daddy inquired, taking it from me and setting it on my table.

“Something from Klay.”

“Ah. I see he’s more like Javier than I thought.”

“What do you mean?”

“He’s a giver. He never hesitates to give to the people he loves, which is one reason Pamela and Karmen are so spoiled.”

Lowly, I admitted, “I’ve noticed.”

The box was extremely pretty, and I didn’t want to open it. It was a black lace box with a gold bow on the top. A small card was tucked in the corner. I wanted to wait for Daddy to leave to read it, so I placed it to the side and carefully untied the bow.

In the box was an entire ensemble.

First, I pulled out the jewelry. There were three different boxes ranging in size. It was a matching diamond set of earrings, a necklace, and bracelet. If I had to guess, each piece was about five carats. I could only imagine how much it cost, but money wasn’t a factor to Klay.

Next, I pulled out chrome heels with the designer’s logo as the heel. They were bad as hell and not too high. I checked the size and was surprised to see it was correct.

Last, I pulled out a dress that appeared to be tailormade for my body. It was all-black with the sides cut out, stopping mid-thigh. The straps were made of diamonds, similar to my jewelry. I’d never seen anything like it.

“I don’t even know what to say, Daddy. I’ve never had anyone do anything like this for me outside of you.”

“Well, you better get used to it. More than anything, you deserve it.”

“Thank you.”

“No thanks needed, baby. Well, I’ll get out your hair so you can get ready. I’ll check back in with you tomorrow.”

I walked my father to the door and watched him leave. Once he was down the street, I closed the door and read the card from Klay.

I wanted to do something special for you for our first official date.

This may be the first of many.

Be ready at six.

See you soon.

Klay.

Klay had been showing me his thoughtful side, and I wasn’t quite sure how to take it. A part of me felt as if I shouldn’t be accepting all he was giving while the other felt the opposite, knowing our situation. Loyal continuously told me to go with the flow, but it was a lot easier said than done.

I sent Klay a text, thanking him for everything and took it to my room. I snapped a picture, sending it to Mommy and Loyal. Loyal immediately called me, screaming my ear off, and I stayed on the phone with her until it was time for me to get ready.

Since the straps on the dress were beautiful, I styled my hair into an updo with a few face framing pieces.

My makeup was shimmery with a bold red lip.

I decided to carry my silver mini tote, finishing up just as my doorbell rang.

The sound sent my stomach into crashing waves.

Goosebumps pebbled my skin as I strutted to the front to answer.

With my hand on the knob, I exhaled through the circle my lips formed, then opened the door.

Klayton Ramirez was one fine man.

His attire matched mine, all-black suit with diamonds for buttons.

The first three buttons of his shirt were unbuttoned, as usual, showing off the diamond link chain resting on his tattooed chest. His curls were popping, and his line up and beard were crisp.

Those hypnotizing eyes of his swept over me as his tongue did his lips.

Klay handed me the single rose between his fingers and complimented, “You look beautiful, mami. I had a feeling this would suit you well.”

“Thank you, Klay. You don’t look too bad yourself.”

“Gracias.”

“De nada,” I responded, and he smirked.

“You know how to speak Spanish?”

I shook my head. “Only basic words. I’d love to learn.”

“I’ll teach you one day. Are you ready?”

“Yes.”

I laced my arm in Klay’s after I locked my door, and he led me to the truck that was waiting for us. Klay helped me get inside then went around to do the same. The driver spoke to me before pulling off.

The first ten minutes of the drive, we didn’t speak.

Klay stared out the window, appearing to be lost in his thoughts, while I vibed to the music.

Joey’s was about forty-five minutes away in the city Maven Falls.

I looked it up earlier and couldn’t believe how expensive it was, but the food looked amazing.

“How was your day?” Klay asked, breaking the silence.

“It was good, productive. How about yours?”

“Heavy but good.”

“Why was it heavy?”