“I’m getting married.” The room goes eerily quiet before half of it shouts, “What!” Most everyone has a shocked expression.
“What?” I ask. “You think I’m not marriage material?” It’s a little hurtful that they don’t think anyone would want to marry me. Thank God I don’t have normal people feelings or I would be devastated by their reactions. I’m not. Am I?
“It’s one thing to say maybe I’ll get married. You just said youaregetting married,” my Aunt Cosima says. She is Eros’ mother, my father’s sister.
“I get to help plan it,” Nix announces. Nix is always down for anything that might be girly. I suppose a wedding falls into that. I’m sure she’s already conjuring up a million ways to try to torture me. Hair, nails, makeup. God help me.
“We don’t even know to whom!?” Bonte adds. I’m sure she’s piecing things from our earlier conversation together.
“It might be an arranged marriage,” I add because they might be right. No one would want to marry me without getting something in return. The thought hurts this time, but I push it down deep where those kinds of feelings belong.
“What year is it?” Nix asks. “That’s still a thing outside of romance books? But not to be crude.”
“Liar.” Jax, my cousin, interrupts Nix because she has no problem being crude, ever. She shoots her brother a death glare along with her middle finger and continues.
“But, Naomi, you know if you get married, you have to like kiss and have sex with them. Be affectionate… even cuddle sometimes.”
I have been thinking about those things. In fact, since I got back home and started going over the information on him and shuffling through more pictures, that is what’s been on my mind.
“I will not discuss such things,” I say curtly, letting everyone know I do not wish to go further in conversation about that.
“Are you blushing?” Nix asks. Am I? I don’t blush. That’s ridiculous.
“It’s warm in here, and can we not talk about these things right now? My father is here.” There, that should do it.
“Is War responsible for this?” Nix turns her ire onto my father. “And wait.” She points between Mac and Eros. “Why the hell are you two so quiet about this?”
“I think it’s time to head out,” Eros says, standing with Bonte in his arms. She’s been perched in his lap. The outfit he picked out for her is nice. It’s a skirt, but the pantyhose have a design.
Eros quickly gets out of here. Mac reaches up and grabs my hand, giving it a squeeze. I need that because the room erupts once again.
“Enough!” The room goes dead silent. If my mom yells, everyone better listen. She doesn’t do it often. I could likely count the times on my fingers. “We are done with this for tonight.”
Mom grabs my hand, leading me out of the living room area and upstairs. She doesn’t stop or speak until we enter my bedroom.
“Do you want to talk about this, or do you need some time, honey?” Mom never pushes me; that’s probably why I feel so at ease with her. She doesn’t think I’m strange.
“Not tonight. It’s been a lot.” And I have more research I need to do.
“Okay, you know where to find me.” She pulls me in for a hug and kiss before turning to go.
“Mom,” I call out, and she stops at the door. “Am I pretty?”
“Of course you are. Why would you—” She cuts herself off. “They are all just shocked. It has nothing to do with how you look.”
“It’s not only that. He winked at me today, and I know it’s a small thing, but Bonte said he was probably flirting, and I don’t think anyone has ever flirted with me. No one has ever tried to date me.” Mac draws attention when we’re out, but I never have.
“That has nothing to do with your appearance, sweetheart. You are intimidating, and a lot of men can’t handle that. That’s not your problem; it’s their insecurities. But this one doesn’t seem intimidated by you. He clearly walked into this house and said he wanted to marry you. I know it wasn’t your father’s idea.”
“It’s probably only because he needs something.” There’s a small part of me that wishes that weren’t true. A part I don’t understand.
“This man has really gotten you out of sorts.” Mom smiles when she says it. Like she knows something but is going to keep it to herself.
“I don’t like it.” That’s not entirely true. It’s different and intriguing.
“These things can be scary. I don’t care what anyone else says or the teasing; you have a heart, as does your father. You just keep it tucked away, and one day you’ll find someone who will work to get there, and if they don’t, then they aren’t worthy. Would you really want a man who wouldn’t put in the effort?”
I shake my head no. “Thank you.”
