Page 47 of Undefeated

“Hey Shorty,” Ripp said as he waved at Kace.

Without looking, her face buried in my hoodie, Kace raised her hand from my back and waved at Ripp.

“She’s nice,” I whispered into Kace’s ear.

“I told her about Ripp on the way here. She’s the one I told you that works at the coffee shop by the deli,” Kace whispered.

“Aaahhh,” I responded as I turned my head toward Ripp. He and Liv were talking as he poked at the chicken with the tongs.

“Go grab a platter and stuff, Dekk,” Ripp said as he stood at the grill talking to Liv.

“C’mon, babe. Let’s go inside,” I said as I motioned toward the door.

“So, she’s the girl from the coffee shop on the corner?” I asked as I looked for a platter and plates.

“Uh huh. She’s the one I’ve been talking to you for the last year about…well, you know,” she smiled.

“Okay, I was thinking so. She’s single?” I asked.

“Uh huh. Yeah. Her boyfriend was a douche. They broke up a month ago. Something like that,” she responded as I handed her some plates from the cupboard.

I grabbed a large platter, silverware, and a roll of paper towels. My arms full, I leaned toward Kace and kissed her. As we kissed, she set the plates on the countertop and wrapped her arms around me.

“I like doing this with you, Shane. Cooking. Eating. Being a part of your life beyond just living together. I like this. It’s. It’s, well. It’s like we’re a real couple. I like this,” she said as our lips parted.

“I like it too,” I said as I adjusted the paper towels under my arm.

“I want this. I want this for a lifetime,” she said as she picked up the plates.

“I do too,” I responded as I started walking toward the door.

“Then let’s do it. Let’s take that step, Shane. I’m ready,” she said.

“It’s not a contest, babe. It’s life. There’s no time limit. If I’m truly what you think you want, need, and desire – I’m not going anywhere. And you’ll wait as long as you have to. I am not going to do this in any manner that I’m not comfortable with,” I said as I held the door handle in my hand.

“Well, I’m ready,” She smiled.

“Noted,” I said as I opened the door.

As we walked out onto the deck, Liv and Ripp were sitting on the lounge chair together laughing. Each of them had a beer, and Ripp was trying to catch his breath from laughing.

“Looks like they’re having fun,” I whispered to Kace.

“Oh my God, Kace. He’s funny,” Liv said as she nodded her head toward Ripp.

“He can be,” Kace laughed.

“No, he is,” Liv stated, still laughing.

“I was just telling her about your boots,” Ripp laughed.

I raised one eyebrow and turned toward Ripp as I set the plates and silverware down on the table.

“Well, it’s all true,” he said.

“Let me see the bottoms of them,” she asked.

I shook my head and turned up the sole of my boot so she could see the sole. As She leaned over and looked, she gasped.