The Perfect Match: A New Adult Erotic Romance (Inseparable Book 2) (27 page)

Kurt left Polly and Charlotte as they sat down at one of the tables. Charlotte sat across and leaned in to rest her elbows on the table.

“You and Kurt will be all everyone can talk about tonight,” she whispered.

Polly couldn’t get a read on her expression, so she asked, “Are you okay?”

Charlotte nodded and smiled sadly. “I’m fine.”

Seeing a big guy approaching over Charlotte’s shoulder, Polly stood up to hug Christopher as he arrived. “What a surprise! Good job keeping that secret.”

Kurt put their beers down on the table and sat with a big grin. “When we all went to Uncle Jack’s to watch Superbowl, Christopher mentioned always wanting to see a real Mardi Gras. So I brought him down and arranged for him to hide out at the house until the parade.”

“Wait,” Charlotte said as she looked up in a panic. “He’s been hanging out with Mom and Dad?”

“He and Dad really hit it off, too. They were talking about hunting and racing when I got there to change for the parade.”

Christopher put his beers down in front of Charlotte as he sat. “He’s a great guy. Everyone has been great so far.” He looked around the yard at all the activity. People were still coming in from the parade and elsewhere, but there had to be forty people already milling around. “I’ve never seen a family party this big before in my life.”

“I know how you feel, but you’ll get used to it,” Polly said before taking a big swallow of beer. “Where are my crackers?” she asked Kurt.

“Damn, knew I forgot somethin’. Be right back,” he said as he got up and ran back over to the kitchen.

“How long have you two been dating?” Christopher asked.

Polly sighed happily and said, “Since the week before Christmas.”

“That’s right. Now I remember asking Charlotte at the New Years Eve party.” Christopher smiled at Charlotte, then leaned in to kiss her. Polly was surprised to see her turn her face so he had to kiss her cheek instead of her lips.

“Here you go,” Kurt said and put a plate of crackers on the table between them all. “The first batch of crawfish are going in the boiler now, so we should be eating soon.”

“Charlotte, why don’t we go change before we ruin our dresses?” Polly said as she searched her friend’s face. There was a brief hesitation, then she nodded. “Be right back boys. Hold our seats!”

They went back into the small guest room Polly was staying in. After getting down to their bra and panties, Charlotte seemed to lose all energy and flopped down on the bed while Polly put the dresses back in their protective bags.

“Want to talk about it?” Polly asked.

“Not really,” she sighed. “Let’s get back out there. I need a beer.”

“That may not help,” Polly said.

“It sure as hell can’t hurt at this point,” Charlotte grumbled.

The night passed quickly for Polly as she danced, drank, and ate herself into the family. No one missed the mask she’d worn and nearly everyone had quietly wished them well. The story of Kurt’s rise in his career was another point of pride for Polly, and she told anyone who asked how well he was doing.

Not everyone was so happy. She caught chilly looks from Kendall and those few who seemed to believe her lies about Kurt, but knowing she was carrying Trey’s child made her more sympathetic than she might otherwise have been.

While Kurt took his turn at the guitar, Polly spent some time visiting with his parents. She did her best to make a good impression and found them warming up to her by the time Kurt returned. They promised to visit again next day when Kurt would be loading up the rental truck to bring the last of his things to Houston. Before they left for home at the end of the night, Kurt’s mother Noëlle pulled Polly aside.

“I’m sure Kurt’s mentioned that I’d always hoped he would marry my friend Mandy’s girl, Kendall.”

“It’s come up,” Polly admitted, wondering where she was going with it.

“I jus’ wanted to say that I am so pleased with the changes I’ve seen in Kurt lately. I
know
some of those changes are your influence. I’m not too proud to admit I’m wrong.” She sniffed and wiped her nose. “I can see now that you two fit together like a puzzle, but I had no idea how beautiful the picture would be.”

Polly felt her throat close a little and clasped Noëlle’s hands. “Thank you so much for saying that.”

“I expect we’ll be coming to Houston more often with both of our kids livin’ there. Maybe your parents would let us take them to dinner one night when we’re all free.”

“I’d like that. I’ll be sure to keep that in mind.”

Kurt came up after they left and asked, “What was all that about?”

“Your mother is so sweet,” Polly said without explaining anything.

“Why am I suddenly worried?” he asked with a chuckle.

* * *

I
t was late when Polly helped Julie get the kids to bed before turning in herself. The day had been exhausting, but unforgettable as well. Julie wasn’t feeling well and occupied the bathroom for part of the night, so Polly got up early with the kids and kept them busy until Julie came down into the kitchen.

“Good morning! You look rested.” Polly was sitting at the large kitchen table with the kids while they ate pancakes. Jackson had torn his into bits and was smashing the pieces into his mouth.

“Thanks to you,” Julie said as she down beside Polly. “Jack told me you kept the girls busy this morning.”

“That’s what I’m here for,” she replied taking a sip of her black coffee.

“Not entirely,” Julie said with a grin. “So many people came up to us last night to say how wonderful you looked up there.”

“When we were here at Thanksgiving, it all felt so overwhelming. Now it just feels like home.”

“I feel the same way. Even though I don’t get along with everyone all the time, this is a great family to be a part of.”

Claire came up then and placed a mug on the table. Julie put her hand over her mouth and said, “I’m fine.”

“That ain’t coffee,” Claire said with a knowing smile. “Try a sip. I bet you feel better.” The she walked back over to the stove to flip the pancakes.

Julie picked up the mug and looked down at the clear liquid, then shrugged and took a sip. “Oh, that’s perfect.”

“What is it?” Polly asked, then Julie put the mug under her nose. “Orange with Cinnamon, but it’s clear?”

“I don’t care, my stomach just stopped trying to climb up my neck. I wish I knew how Claire always seems to know.” Julie stared at her mother-in-law and shook her head.

Polly leaned back and picked up her own mug. “What’s the plan for today?”

“We’re gonna leave around noon. You still going back with Kurt?”

“Yeah, I see now why he wasn’t worried about getting his car back. I kept asking, but he never gave me a straight answer.”

“Oh,” Julie said with a nod. “Christopher’s driving it back. Did he stay over there last night?”

“Yeah,” Polly said with a frown as she recalled Charlotte’s reaction. “But something’s off with Charlotte.”

“What?”

“She kept doing little things to put Christopher off, like turning her face when he tried to kiss her. I
know
she likes him,” Julie said, then shook her head.

“That’s weird,” Julie said, then finished off her drink. “Need a lift over there?”

* * *

P
olly got her suitcase out of the van, then went around to hug Julie through the open driver’s side window. “Are we still on for Saturday?”

“If I’m not throwing my guts up,” Julie said as she rubbed her stomach with a serene smile.

“I wonder if it’s another boy?” Polly asked.

“I think so,” Julie whispered.

Polly couldn’t help reflect on her own future. “Someday,” she murmured.

“Go on,” she said and squeezed Polly’s arm. “I’ll see you in Houston.”

Polly smiled as Julie drove off, then picked up her suitcase to go knock on the front door. Kurt answered wearing a sweaty t-shirt and a pair of soft shorts. “Hey!”

Polly looked behind him to see if anyone was in the front room, then put her arms around his neck and pressed herself against him for a deep kiss. He ran his hands down her back to grip her ass, grinding against her until she gasped.

“Kurt? Who is it, sha?” Noëlle yelled from inside the house. Polly let him go as she straightened her clothes, but Kurt was already making a tent out of his shorts.

“It’s Polly, Mama,” Kurt said as he reached into his shorts to adjust himself with a grin.

“Oh, good,” she said as she appeared from the kitchen. “Come in and have some breakfast.”

“I’m sorry, I ate with the kids this morning, but I’d love a cup of coffee if you have some brewed.”

“Of course, come in and visit while the boys finish loadin’ up the truck.” She returned into the kitchen and Polly followed.

The home was lovely and neat, but most things were old or had been obviously repaired. The kitchen had an antique gas stove made out of white enamel with a stainless steel percolator warming on one of the burners. Noëlle got a china cup and saucer from the cabinet and poured the aromatic coffee into it.

“You and Charlotte looked so lovely last night,” Noëlle said as she handed Polly the coffee. “There’s sugar and cream on the table.” The table was chrome and formica like something from an old diner.

“Thanks,” Polly took a seat and Noëlle joined her with a sigh. “Are you doing okay?”

“My son is moving out and my daughter will be soon,” Noëlle  said. Polly could see her face shifting as she tried to control herself. “It’s harder than I thought it would be.”

Polly felt uncomfortable as she tried to think of something to say. “Is there anything can I do?”

“No,
sha
,” she said as she stared into her cup. “This is just part of life. When you and Kurt have a family, this day will come for you, too.”

Polly felt the heat rise in her face and nodded, “Someday.”

They talked for a while about jobs and plans for the future, but Noëlle never lost the sad look in her eyes.

Kurt and Christopher eventually came back in the kitchen laughing. “We’re done! Mama, give me a kiss and we’ll get out of your hair.”

His mother wiped her eyes and stood up. “If you don’t come see me in a week or two, I’m just gonna show up in Houston.”

“I gotta come do some stuff for Uncle Charlie next week. How ’bout I take you to lunch?”

She hugged him tight and kissed his cheek. “It’s a date.” She turned to Polly and said, “Check with your parents and see when they might have a free Saturday night.”

“I will,” she said and kissed Noëlle on the cheek.

With Christopher and Charlotte saying a tense goodbye, Polly put her suitcase in the rental truck and climbed in the passenger seat while Kurt hugged his parents one more time. After climbing in the drivers seat, he started the engine and quoted, “She may not look like much, but she’s got it where it counts, kid.”

Snuggling up to him with a laugh, she said, “Take me home.”

“With you beside me, I’m already there.”

Did you love
The Perfect Match: A New Adult Erotic Romance
? Then you should read
Inseparable: A New Adult Erotic Romance
by Bella Chal!

."I've loved you since that first day when you saved my life..."

Life has never been easy for Julie. Between working her minimum wage job and living with a mother who never seemed to grow up, she couldn't ever find time to have a relationship of her own. After she meets Jack, a man who seems to have it all, she's surprised to find how miserable a wealthy family man's life can be.

When Jack's wife Sophie chafes at her dull marriage, she files for divorce. Worse, she files for sole custody of their kids, seizes half their assets, and continues to try and make Jack's life miserable. It's only through a new relationship with Julie that he's able to keep it together.

However, when it rains, it pours. Julie has a secret that could tear the budding relationship apart. Jack's great job and standing in the community evaporates underneath him. Will their relationship wither under the combined force of fate and a vengeful ex-wife?

Or can they listen to their hearts and stay the way they truly feel... inseparable?

Read more at
Bella Chal’s site
.