I bit back my laughter because I’d already learned not to start up a conversation or interfere in any way when he’s watching sports. I moved closer to the living area, watching his expression, waiting to see how he would handle my mother, who now blocked the TV to show him a picture of me. Carter’s brows were furrowed initially, and then his face relaxed into an appreciative smile. “Gorgeous.”
Mama glanced at me. “It’s your pic from your grandparents’ sixtieth wedding anniversary.” She tapped the screen. “This is how my daughter used to dress and look before that son of a bitch – I didn’t like him or his mother, so I can call him that – killed her spirit.”
“He didn’t kill my spirit,” I protested, though he did take my self-confidence regarding men. Carter seeped in because he’d been forward and creative in getting my attention. Other men I met, whether at the hospital or in the community, took my polite rebuff as a sign that I wasn’t interested and, understandably, kept it pushing. I was like a turtle who retreated whenever a man approached and peeked my head back out when I was in my comfort zone: work and home.
“He did something,” Carter murmured. “That’s crazy. All you’re wearing is a simple sundress, and you’re stunning.”
I propped my hands on my waist. “What does that mean?”
Carter shrugged. “I haven’t met the woman in this picture, yet.”
“It’s just hair and make-up. Thought you liked natural?”Was I really that different?
“I do. Still.” He admired the screen a little too long for my liking. “Yeah, we have to dress up.”
“For what?” I couldn’t hide the irritation in my voice. “This is me, now. That picture was almost five years ago. Of course, I’ve changed. I’m sure you don’t look exactly the same five years ago?”
Carter’s full lips curved into a broad smile, and he kissed my mother’s cheek. “Thanks, Mama Gwen. I do have a Christmas gala with ESPN on the day before Christmas Eve. I was going to skip it because I didn’t feel like getting dressed up.”
I pointed at him. “See, you don’t even want to get dressed up. Don’t listen to my mother, I’m good.”
“We’ll go shopping and get you a badass dress.” He took my hand and twirled me around. “We’ll mingle and be merry.”
“Not too fast, I get dizzy.” Giggling, I placed my free hand on his chest to ground me.
Carter dipped me in his arms. “And dance the night away.”
I looked up at him and stubbornly replied, “I have to work.”
“No, you don’t.” He lifted me back up. “You get a slight wrinkle over your nose when you lie.”
“I don’t lie.”
He kissed the space over my nose. “When I tell you I’m ready to go to bed, you lie and say you are too.”
With a twist of my neck, my eyes traveled his fine as fuck body. “I have my reasons why I want to get in bed when you do.”
Carter’s eyes widened before he dropped his head.
“You made that man blush,” Mama admonished before high-fiving me. “You finally learning from the master.”
He cleared his throat and lifted his wrist to stare at his watch. “Not blushing. Just needed to check the time.”
I slung my arm around his neck. “It’s cool. I know what I made you do.”
Carter tilted his head and deepened his voice, “And I know what I’ll make you do later.”
Mama fanned herself. “Ooh, child. Do you two need some privacy?”
“No.” I flicked my tongue at Carter as he nodded in contrast. “I still need to finish these baskets, and he’s too focused on the game to help me like he promised.”
“You were the one who ran me away because I was wasting materials.” He moved to the table and picked up the green tissue paper. “Fine, I’ll ruin another basket since you insist I help you. And we’re going to the gala.”
“She’ll need a make-up artist and a hair stylist along with that dress,” Mama added.
My stomach churned at the fuss they seemed determined to create. I didn’t want all that attention on me. I scowled. “Don’t know why we can’t just dress up and have a fancy dinner at your place or an upscale restaurant.”
“Because you need to be seen again.” Carter hugged me to his side and brushed his lips on my temple. “And it’s time you rememberedthatBrooklyn.”
