PARTY HAD a huge turnout. Starting at the foot of Richmond’s driveway, cars lined Spaulding Drive for at least a mile down the road on either side. Beneath the huge tent placed in the front yard, children skated on fake ice panels to the songs from “Frozen”. Pictures of the two princesses, Elsa and Anna, centered high on the inside of the light blue tent. Fake icicles hung from the ceiling. Inflatable snowmen had been placed sporadically on the outside of the manmade skating arena.
Kayla stood in the corner of the tent, happily watching the children pretend like they were ice skating. Twiddling her thumbs, a warm feeling rolled over her. Isabelle had screamed when she’d seen what she’d come up with for her birthday party. To her liking, everything had turned out as planned.
Skating alongside Isabelle, Richmond smiled, then skated in her direction. “I’m getting too old for this,” he said, rolling to a stop in front of her.
“I don’t think so. You’re doing quite well, if you ask me.”
Draping an arm around her shoulder, he gazed out at the children and their parents. “Everyone is having such a fabulous time. You did a great job, Kay.”
Kayla was glad to hear he was pleased. “Thanks.”
“You made Isabelle one very happy little girl. I’m done with skating. These things are killing my feet.” Richmond sat in the chair next to the DJ’s stand and removed the skates from his big feet.
Sandella walked up to Kayla, carrying Logan on her hip. “Did you really plan all of this by yourself, Kayla?”
Smiling, Kayla nodded. “Yes.”
“Wow. How impressive? You did a great job.” Sandella’s eyes transferred from Kayla’s face to the ice skating rink. More specifically, her husband. “Look at Braylon out there; he’s having more fun than the kids.”
“I see. I’m glad you guys are having fun.” Kayla pinched Logan’s cute cheek, and speaking baby talk, she said, “In just a few more years, you’ll be able to get out there and skate.” Smiling, Logan gurgled and bubbles formed on her lips.
Kayla’s eyes roamed over the wide tent in search of Chelsey, but she didn’t see her. “I’ll be right back. I need to go find Chelsey so she can help me round up the guests and get them inside the adjoining tent so we can sing Happy Birthday to Isabelle.”
“Oh, I can help with that,” Sandella offered.
Kayla’s head tilted. “Are you sure?”
“Girl, yes.”
“Thanks, Sandella. Are you always this sweet?”
“They say I’m as sweet as those desserts I make.” Sandella switched Logan to her other hip, then went to gather up the guests.
Going to get the “Frozen” ice cream cake from the freezer inside the house, Kayla hastened out of the tent, hiked up the front porch, and flung open the front door to the house.
Stepping into the home smelling like warm cinnamon, Kayla’s heart flopped. Her eyes spread wider than the marsh behind Richmond’s home.
“Stop acting like you’ve seen a damn ghost.” Carson stood from the sofa, then walked over to her. “Where’s my son?”
Swallowing, Kayla closed the door behind her, then met Carson’s gaze head on. He’d said he was coming to visit CJ this weekend, but hell, she didn’t believe him. He’d said it a million times before, but had never actually showed up, so this really surprised her. “How’d you get inside the house?”
“Some girl named Chelsey let me in.” Carson looked the same. Medium brown complexion, black hair cut close to his head, round, beady eyes; other than gaining a few pounds, he hadn’t aged much.
“Yes, Chelsey. I’ve been looking for her.”
Carson’s eyes roamed heatedly over Kayla’s body, making her feel extremely uncomfortable. Licking his bottom lip, he looked like he wanted to lick her like a lollipop. “You sure are looking good, Kayla. No, let me correct that; you are looking fabulous. Done lost a lot of weight, I see.”
“Thanks. Umm. CJ is outside in the skating rink. We’re about to sing Happy Birthday to Isabelle. Wait right here, I’m going to get the cake.” She hurried to the freezer and hefted the cake. When she turned around, Carson was staring right in her face. “Excuse me,” she said, rounding him with the cake clenched tight in her hands.
His eyes took her face in. “Kayla, after the party is over, I want us to go somewhere and have a serious talk.”
“Talk about what? Whatever talking we have to do can be done right here or over the telephone, like we always do.”
“Please. Just meet me somewhere. How about you let me take you to dinner?”
“I don’t mean to be rude, Carson; however, I’m not going to dinner with you.” Now or ever. “Whatever you want to talk about can be done right here after the party is over or on the phone. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to get this cake outside before it melts.”
“God, I still love you. I should’ve never let you go. You were the best thing that ever happened to me. I want you back, Kayla.”
Annoyed by Carson’s mere presence, Kayla felt like someone had fisted her heart when he’d uttered those dumb words, talking about he wanted her back. Stupid fool. It’d be a cold day in freaking hell before she EVER took Carson Terrell Crawford back!
“Look, Carson. Let’s get one thing straight right here and right now. I’m not interested in you now, nor will I ever be. I’m happily dating someone right now, and he and I are planning a future together.”
“Oh, you are? Well, just remember one thing…I’m CJ’s daddy.”
“I know you’re his daddy, Carson. I’m looking forward to you being in his life more. Thanks for coming today.” Tempted to shove the damn cake in the idiot’s face standing before her, she offered him a bland smile instead, then headed outdoors.
“Where’s your bathroom?” Carson asked just as she stepped out the kitchen into the foyer.
“Down the hallway to the right,” Kayla yelled back over her shoulder before opening the front door.