Watching Laney grab a sparkling purple bag from the car, my thoughts focus back on her and not on my plans.
“What if your sister doesn’t like what I got her?” Her fingers are pinching her lower lip, squeezing the plump flesh in a way that makes my skin heat.
I reach out and softly push her hand from her lip, brushing the pad of my thumb over the spot before forcing my hand back to my side. “Rosa likes everything, and even if she didn’t, she’d pretend to. Otherwise, Mamma would spank her in front of everyone for being rude.”
“That doesn’t reassure me at all, and kind of makes me scared of your mom.” She says, staring at her bag like she’s considering running off to buy something else.
Smiling, I grab the back of her neck, bringing her attention to me. “Laney Girl, whatever you got is perfect and she will love it.”
“What about your mom?”
I laugh, her beautiful brown eyes blinking up at me with such seriousness I can’t help myself. I press her forehead to mine, sucking in every second that she lets me touch her like this. “My mamma will also love you, promise.”
With a deep breath, she pulls away from me, my hand dropping to my side. “Okay, let's go then.”
Using my palm at her back, I guide her in the direction we need to go, using any excuse I can to keep my hands on her. I can already hear the sounds of the party, kids yelling on the playground, and the others talking in the background, but they’re still out of sight.
“How big is this party?”
I smirk at her mumbled question, but don’t answer. She’ll see soon enough anyway. As soon as we come into view, my family is yelling to us in greeting, most of them just trying to peek at the only girl I’ve ever brought to a family event. Laney grabs the back of my shirt as we get closer, giving me a look that tells me she’ll be yelling at me later for not giving her a proper warning. Winking at her, I reach back and grab her hand, pulling her in front of me to guide her toward my mamma.
“Why are there so many people? Isn’t your sister only nine?” She whispers over her shoulder, squeezing the fingers that are still locked with mine. I don’t think she even realizes it.
“Yes, I just have a big family.” I let go of Laney’s hand once we get close to where Mamma is sitting, stepping around her to give Mamma a hug from behind. “Mamma, I have someone you need to meet.”
Mamma stands, brushing me aside to look at Laney who was standing almost awkwardly behind me. “Quindi questa é la ragazza misteriosa di cui tutti abbiamo sentito parlare.” So this is the mysterious girlfriend we’ve all heard of.
Laney smiles at my mamma, eyes flicking up to me for a brief moment. “Non fidanzata, solo amici. Spero che tu abbia sentito solo cose belle.” Not girlfriend, just friends. Hope you’ve only heard good things.
Mamma looks back at me with a raised brow, a smile tilting her lips, clearly pleased with who I’ve chosen to bring. Who wouldn’t be though? My girl is perfect. “There’s only good things to say, Laney Girl.”
Raymond steps up to us then, extending his hand to shake Laney’s, nodding in my direction. “I’m surprised a pretty thing like you would even be friends with this one.” She laughs, her beautiful dimples begging me to pull her away from the party and kiss her. “I’m Raymond, Rosa’s papa.”
“Nice to meet you both.” Laney holds up her gift bag before continuing, “I brought her a present, do you have somewhere you’re putting them?”
Before anyone can answer, Rosa is sprinting over to us, her dutch braids a wild mess from playing so hard. She latches onto my side with a hug, noticing Laney at the last second. “Oh Jessie! She’s so pretty!” I think she meant to whisper it, but she’s out of breath from running and it comes out as a half yell for everyone in the immediate vicinity to hear.
She gives me a wide gapped smile and I laugh, looking over at Laney when I answer. “She is the prettiest girl I know.”
Rosa giggles at me, eyes finding the sparkling bag in Laney’s hand. “Is that for me?”
Laney nods, holding it out toward her. “It is. I hope you like it.”
Rosa looks at Mamma before she grabs it, waiting for her silent nod before she takes the bag with another big smile. “Thank you, Jessie’s girlfriend.”
“Oh, no, we’re…“ She stops talking, probably realizing it doesn’t matter what my nine year old sister thinks and smiles instead. “You’re welcome.”
Rosa pulls out a pair of stretch pants and a blue shirt from the bag, staring at the writing on the front for a long time before Laney decides to say something. “That’s from the stable where I keep my horses. Jessie said you like horses, so I thought you might like some riding lessons…“ She pauses, looking up at me for reassurance since my sister still has yet to say anything. I nod, smiling, and she continues, “I figured you could wear these at your lessons, and you can ride my horse, Pete… he’s a paint.” She says the last part quietly, like she wasn’t sure what else to say.
Both my mamma and Raymond smile over at me while Laney starts to pinch her lip and I hold in a laugh, covering my mouth with my hand.
Rosa looks at Laney, still holding her outfit in front of her, “You got me riding lessons, on your horse, who is a paint?”
Laney nods at her, a quiet “Yes.” Barely audible past her fingers.
Rosa screams, making both my mamma and Laney jump, clutching her outfit to her chest. “Paints are my absolute favorite!” Rosa quickly throws her shirt on over her current outfit, tugging her braids
