“What got intoyou?” she asks, the tiniest hint of teasing in her voice.
“I missed you,” I say, and it’s true. “And I appreciate you for earlier. For accepting my mother’s invitation. That made me happy.”
“Good.”
That’s true, too. But it’s not the whole truth. I don’t think I can tell her the whole truth.
I lift my head slightly to kiss her back, my mind wandering all the way to the safe deposit box where I keep the placebo pills Tori gave me. But I don’t need those anymore. I trust Raya now. Completely. I won’t be using them.
Unless she gives me a reason to.
14
Raya
It’s time.
I’m going into the lion’s den.
Well, if I’m keeping up with my metaphor, I guess I’m going deep into the ocean to spend time with the orcas.
Ace is nervous. He’s trying to play it off, but I know him too well. He keeps tapping his fingers against the steering wheel trying to release his nervous energy. I wish I could say something to reassure him, but the truth is, I don’t know how today is gonna go. If his family acts right, I’ll act right. If not…I can’t promise I won’t act up.
I’ve prepared for this. My intention is to make an effort, because my man deserves that. But as I said, if they take me there, I’ll gladly go.
We pull into the large driveway and park behind Kamryn’s new car—a silver Lexus truck. I guess she Mr. Taylor finally talked her into replacing the car I set on fire with a car from his dealership. Probably got a big discount, too. Spoiled ass.
I bought my first car with my own fucking money, which I raised working at Dairy Queen by day and Pizza Hut by night. I drove that beater for fourteen years before Ace bought me my Mercedes, and I’m still proud of that ugly little Corolla. Because I earned it.
Kamryn wouldn’t know shit about that.
“You ready?”
Ace pulls me out of my thought. I look over and flash him a smile. “I’m doing this for you, babe. I hope you know that.”
“I do.” He tucks my hair behind my ear on the right side, beating me to it. “And I got you. I promise.”
Vanessa chooses that moment to fling the door open, immediately jumping into her brother’s arms like he just came back from war.
I let my eyes slide over her, trying not to judge, because that’s not why I’m here. But I can observe. Nothing wrong with that.
Unlike her mother and sister, Vanessa is plain. She’s not unattractive; just the opposite, in fact. That’s the annoying part about this evil fucking family. They’re all fine as hell. But Vanessa is the kind of attractive that doesn’t know what to do with itself. Pretty for no reason at all.
She has box braids that are a couple of weeks past needing a retouch. Her face is plain other than clear lip gloss. Even her outfit screamsI don’t give a fuck—plain black hoodie, non-descript blue jeans, and black leather flats. I stare at each item thinking I’ll spot that quiet luxury the girlies rave about on TikTok, but this ain’t that.
And I lowkey respect that, I think. Vanessa clearly doesn’t need external validation, and there’s something very bad bitch about that. I can freely admit I need it. I’ll probably always want it. But not my sister-in-law.
She lets Ace go after he kisses her cheek, turning her affection to me. She’s unsure, but I close the distance between us beforeshe can talk herself out of it. Ace looks so proud of our hug, but I hope he doesn’t get too excited. Vanessa is the only one I’ve never had an issue with.
“How are you guys? You look good,” she says. “Marriage agrees with you.”
“We’re good,” we say in unison, our eyes meeting over shared smiles.
“I’m glad to see you,” Ace tells her. “I missed you, bighead.”
“Yeah, yeah. Y'all come on in here. We’re in the family room.”
We hang up our coats, then follow Vanessa through the foyer toward the family room. Which Mrs. Taylor probably calls the den or the great room, with her pretentious ass.
