Page 91 of Taming a Menace

“That you did. I’m excited for the wedding dinner. Your company did my best friend’s wedding a few years ago. It’s probably been five years by now, but I’ve never forgotten the way those lamb chops melted in my mouth.”

“I’m glad I made a good impression on you.”

“Well I’m not going to hold you guys up. I guess I’ll see you in a month,” Kelly said.

“You ready?” I asked, turning to Iyla.

“Yeah, ready when you are.”

I held her hand as we moved through the back exit to my truck.

“I’m going to need you to wear this blindfold until we get to our next stop.”

“A blindfold?” she asked, whipping around to face me.

“Yes, ma’am. A blindfold. If not it will ruin the surprise.”

“A blindfold, though, Keywan?” she asked again.

“Do you trust me? Maybe I should have asked that first.”

“Yes.” She nodded.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. I know that you wouldn’t do anything to hurt me or let anything happen to me.”

“So what’s the problem? You afraid of the dark?” I asked.

“No.” She pouted.

“Is it about control?”

“You know that,” she said, rolling her eyes.

“If you trust me, you don’t have to be in control of every little thing when I’m around. I told you to give me some of that burden, Moon. Let me carry it for you,” I said, pulling the pink blindfold I’d swiped from the bridal party out of my pocket and dangling it from my finger for her to take.

Tonight there was a full moon. I wanted my girl to see it up close and personal.

Seventeen

Iyla

I don’t know how I let Keywan talk me into wearing a freaking blindfold. Like I said, I knew he would never do anything to hurt me. That didn’t mean that I didn’t want to see where I was going. I liked to see what was happening around me. As a matter of fact, I loved to see what the hell was going on around me.

I didn’t want to be a brat and ruin his surprise, so I was being a good sport and wearing the blindfold as requested. I couldn’t remember the last time anyone had surprised me with anything. I was as nervous as I was excited as I rode along listening to the radio and wondering what I was in for.

“Are we almost there?” I asked him.

“Yeah, just a couple of minutes.”

“I really feel like I could have kept the mask off until we got closer. I need to see where I am.”

“Don’t touch that mask, Moonie. That’s not up for you to decide.”

“I’m just saying not being able to see is making me nervous.”

“You don’t need to see right now. I’m driving this ship. We are about two minutes away from our destination. You think your nosy self can resist the urge to peek for two more minutes?”