“No need for guilt trips. Clearly, you and Ma have been married too long that y’all are rubbing off on each other.”
I try to hide my giggle from the sarcasm within Alijah’s delivery as I mask it with a faint cough.
“Whatever. All I know is your narrow behind better be here, or I’m coming there to snatch you by your ears to drag you here myself,” his mother says with an authoritative tone that brokers no argument.
“I’ll be there. But I’m bringing somebody with me.”
Whoa!
My breath stalls, and my head shoots up to look at Alijah, whose eyes are already on me. There’s a playful gleam in his eyes and a smirk on his lips.
“What?” I mouth, and Alijah’s smirk increases as he nods his head while I shake mine.
Now wait a minute, Alijah. I don’t think our bounds for love are quite at the meet-the-family stage yet.
“Ooh. This sounds promising. See you on Saturday, Son.”
I’m barely able to process those words before the call disconnects. I’m as still as a statue as I silently stare at Alijah.
“Say what’s on your mind, mama.”
“A-a barbecue? I’m—are we ready for that?” My mind spins as I sift through various thoughts to release the rational and comprehensive ones.
“I’m in love with you, and I’m too grown to hide my woman from my people. What are your fears?”
My heart speeds up and slows down at Alijah’s words, because I’m in love with him too. Yet, with every moment that I’ve spent with this man since then, all shred of doubt has left me. Love for this man has snatched me by my edges.
“Deshona.” My eyes peer into Alijah as he waits for me to say something.
The last time a man took me to meet his family, I found myself drunk from taking back-to-back shots to drown out how much better I was compared to the last woman he brought home. Ugh.
“Are you sure?”
“Yep.”
I nod as I fight to ignore my racing heartbeat.
“Come here, mama.” Alijah’s voice is softer than it was a second ago as I scoot closer until my legs overlap his thighs.
My body instantly calms when Alijah wraps his arms around my waist as I nestle into his chest. The steady cadence of his heartbeat helps my heartbeat return to normal. I sigh with subtle breaths as I bask in the feel of my man.
“I got you, so you can be sure too, alright?”
My head bobs as I feel Alijah’s reassurance surge through my body and the need to resist the upcoming encounter and family event disappears the longer he holds me. I don’t know what will happen, but with Alijah by my side, I won’t have anything to worry about.
“Taste this. Does it need anything?”Alijah holds the spoon in front of my face with curiosity that shines in his eyes.
Alijah is cooking dinner, and instead of letting me wait in the living room until he’s done, he has me sitting on the counterbeside him. Low jazz music flows through the kitchen, creating a mood of intimacy and comfort. This is another first with a man, and I like it . . . a lot.
I move my head back as my brows hike before my thoughts exit my mouth. “What is it?”
“A garlic cream sauce.”
“Oh.” I open my mouth wide enough for him to slip the spoon between my lips.
I close my eyes as the flavors burst on my tongue, and I bob my head up and down like a bobblehead.
“Mhm. That’s good.”
