“I’m convinced you take me in rooms to get sexual favors,” I said after breaking the kiss.
“I do not.” She laughed.
“Yeah, a’ight. So, it won’t be a surprise, I invited Jourdell. He said he asked you about it, and you never responded to him. What’s that about?”
“I didn’t know if I wanted to share any accomplishments with him yet. It’s been what… a few days? I wasn’t sure about his intentions at the dinner, and I wasn’t sure tonight, so I left it on read.”
“In order to build somethin’ new and fresh, you have to take risks. When or if he comes, be nice. He’s tryin’, mama.”
I knew she listened to what I told her. There were plenty of times I caught her doin’ somethin’ and would change how she did it after I gave my opinion. I wasn’t asking her to do anything that required too much work.
“I know. I’ll cut him slack, but I won’t pretend.”
She unwrapped her arms from around my waist, grabbed the knob, and left me standing in her office. I shook my head and followed behind. Journei was goin’ to have me stressed by the end of the night.
My cousins had grown fond of Journei and stuck by her most of the night. I was able to survey the crowd. Jourdell didn’t show up, which low key upset me.
I expected him to show up for her, put forth some type of effort. All that blowin’ my phone up and begging for chances just to squander the perfect opportunity. Even if it was fake support, he could’ve still showed up.
I pulled my phone out to see if he texted or called, and it was clear of notifications. He was already running on a thin line with me. He wasn’t about to have nothin’ with me period, and that included mama.
Hunz walked through the door later than I expected. I figured he was behind due to Belle finally givin’ birth to theirtwins. I was happy for him. They went through a lot to get those babies.
He walked up to me darn near matching my fit. I hated how we thought alike sometimes. A blind man didn’t have to guess twice about us being best friends.
He wore that goofy smile them females went crazy for. I shook my head and dapped him up. He ordered a shot before givin’ me any conversation.
“The fuck bestie got goin’ on. I ain’t never seen so many white people comfortable around this many black people a day in my life.” His comment made me laugh.
“Shut yo’ stupid self up. Mama got somethin’ different on her hands. Them crackers bringing in the money they daddy left them. Us niggas, well, we get a lil’ change and just want to have a good time.”
“And that’s a fact. Aye, dawg, I applaud you for takin’ care of her. Her wife wasn’t shit, and although I will always have her back, I’m glad I don’t have to worry as much anymore.”
There was a silence that fell between us. Hunz was the only person I trusted with my family. He’d been looking out for her since they were kids. She never bad-mouthed him, or vice versa.
I knew what he was capable of, and I knew the lengths he would go to keep the women in his life safe. My baby was in that number. I respected his loyalty to her.
My eyes searched the room until they found the set that were on them. She stood to the side smiling, watching me and Hunz talk. The smile she wore was that of a woman in love. I blushed under her gaze.
That woman was goin’ to be the death of me. I had women look at me in awe before, but when she looked at me, she saw right through me.
Her steps were so calculated she all but glided toward me. Whenever she was in a room, I saw no one but her once I was locked in. Her beauty was unmatched.
“You’re being a creep staring me down like that.”
“Can we go so I can be a creep at home?” she asked, causing my cheeks to turn bright red.
“It’s the disrespect for me. How you doin’? My name is Hunz.” He extended his hand, and she slapped it away.
“I’m sorry, best. I was uhm...”
“Focused on being nasty, so you ain’t hear or see nobody else. Newsflash, ma’am, this yo’ event. You can’t leave. Where the cake at? Ain’t no celebration without it.” He managed to get both of us to explode with laughter.
“Hey, boss. Can we get you over there for a second? The twins said it’s time for your surprise.” One of her employees came to get her for Nina’s last-minute gift.
I followed behind to see what this special surprise was. That was one thing they didn’t let me in on. I prayed it didn’t make her cry. I was tired of wiping her face every two hours.
“May I have everyone’s attention please? As we all know, Journei is expecting. Everyone, meet the new items we had made dedicated to both her daughter and her mother. They will be listed as special-edition items.” Emilia smiled and pulled the covers off.
