I pressed my forehead into his chest to avoid his eyes. “Eww. Why are you bringing that up?”
“Because it’s all I think about. The first thing I wanted to do was rip your boy’s face off, but you looked so fucking good. I couldn’t shit on your mood.”
“I hate that you saw me that way.”
“Don’t. It just made me want to see everything else you never showed me. One second, you are giving me a toy car, and the next, you toying with your pussy on the other side of the room.”
The sound of heels clicking in our direction broke our concentration.
“Are you two all right?” Mrs. Terri asked wearing a suspicious smirk.
“We’re good,” I agreed before Loso could. “Are you still happy with the location?”
“That ain’t the word, baby.” She beamed. “If I could live here, I would move in.”
“Well, I don’t have that type of pull, but we are going to have the tasting in a room upstairs. I know you mentioned a gingerbread bar, so we can try that out too.”
Mrs. Terri’s red stained lips turned down on the ends. “Unfortunately, I can’t stay.”
“Why not?” Loso inched forward.
“Your daddy called whilewewere touring andy’allwere talking. The pastor reached out. He needs us to run up to the hospital to sit with a sick member.”
“Mama. We’ve had this planned for a week. Can’t someone else go handle that?”
“No, and you don’t need to reschedule.” She pointed to me. “Essen has already proved she has excellent taste, and you know what I like. The menu is set. You guys are just doing a final tasting.”
“Ma, this is?—”
“Nothing we can’t handle,” I interposed. “Go take care of your church family. We’ll hold down the fort.”
Mrs. Terri hung around another twenty minutes, then she announced that her ride had arrived. I noticed Loso didn’t go outside to speak to his father, but I wasn’t shocked. I saw the way his features flinched when his mom mentioned his elder’s name.
“Essen, my bad about the mix up. If I had known?—”
“It’s okay. I get to munch on appetizers, make gingerbread houses, and sip expensive wine. I’m good.” The seriousness on Loso’s face erased the laugh on my lips. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong. I just admire how you always see the good in a situation. I be ready to crash out, but you keep a level head.”
“Oh, I know. I’ve seen you in action. Most times, you’re flirting or fighting. Maybe I should get you a chill pill for Christmas.”
“Let my mama tell it, I need a good woman.”
“What doyouthink you need?”
He gave me a one shoulder shrug. “My thoughts have been scrambled lately.”
“Damn, off one kiss,” I joked, trying to slice through the growing tension.
“I promise, it’s much more than that.”
Minnie strutted into the room then paused near the entrance. “Wait. Aren’t we missing the bride?”
“Mrs. Bricks had an emergency. Loso and I will handle the tasting,” I explained as we stepped into the dining area.At least ten circular tables were spread throughout the room, but only one was covered with goodies. Even though the celebration would include holiday accents, the Bricks requested untraditional appetizers.
“My mouth is watering,” I muttered, eyeing the crab wraps and shrimp tacos.
I heard Loso chuckle before I felt his thumb dab the corner of my lips.
