“Now that’s serious. I’ve never—oh shit, who the fuck is that and why ain’t he in my thong?”
I followed her line of vision, and my eyes landed on Graham. When our eyes connected, his lips curled into a smile that reached his eyes. He licked his lips as he headed toward us with Trey by his side.
“Mom, there’s Trey and Mr. Graham.”
Before I could respond, Keelan took off in their direction. When he reached them, he shook Graham’s hand and fell in line next to Trey. Graham kept his eyes on me the whole time.
“Naryah Monique Tate, if that fine ass man coming toward us is the man you’ve been talking about, I’m gon’ slap some sense into you.”
I couldn’t respond, because by the time Naomi finished threatening me, Graham was barely a foot away.
“Hey, beautiful. I’m glad you and Keelan made it,” Graham said, his eyes penetrating my soul.
“Keelan would never let me hear the end of it if we didn’t come. Graham, Trey, this is my sister, Naomi. Sis, this is Graham and his nephew, Trey.”
They exchanged greetings, and Trey tried to pull Keelan away.
“Hold on, Nephew. We need to take Keelan to the party room to check in with your mother and pick up his game card before y’all run off.”
“Okay.”
Graham let the boys lead us to the party room, and he walked a few steps back with Naomi and me.
“So, Naomi, did your sister tell you I’m completely smitten with her, and she won’t give me the time of day?”
I gasped and playfully punched him on the shoulder.
“What was that for? Is that not the truth?”
“Graham, she might have mentioned something about your interest in her.”
“You think you can convince her to give me a shot?’
“Possibly, but she’s very stubborn. Plus?—”
“Excuse me. Why are y’all talking about me like I’m not here?”
“Why are you eavesdropping on our conversation?” Naomi questioned.
The conversation was cut short because we’d arrived at the party room.
“Naryah! I’m so glad you could make it. This is my husband, DJ. Baby, this is Keelan’s mom, Trey’s friend from camp.”
“It’s nice to finally meet you,” DJ said.
Finally? Was he waiting to meet me?
“Thank you. This is my sister, Naomi. Sis, this is Kindra and DJ, Trey’s parents.”
After greetings were exchanged, Kindra checked Keelan in and went over the rules. Before he left the party room, I reiterated what Kindra had said and reviewed my own set of rules. A few other kids arrived before they left, and after a few minutes, they were off to have a good time, with DJ right behind them.
“Would you mind if I steal your sister for a minute?” Graham asked Naomi.
“Only a minute? I thought you were applying the rest of her life type of energy.”
“Nay, have you no chill?” I pleaded.
She grinned while shaking her head, taunting me just a little. I followed Graham to a corner of the room and leaned against the wall. It probably wasn’t a good idea, but it was too late. Graham already had me trapped with one arm on the wall above my head and the other holding my waist.
