“You know it’s no reason for you to be nervous,” Kadeem spoke.
“Who said I was nervous?”
“You didn’t have to say it. I know you.”
I took in a deep breath as I walked in and closed the door behind me. I leaned against it as I let the breath out. “I just want y’all parents to like me. Us bringing this relationship to the forefront is a big deal, and I just want it to go well.”
“Baby, you’re over thinking this way too much. Everything is going to be fine. Our people will love you because we do. So, just relax and do what you gotta do to be at the party.”
“Okay, baby. I hear you,” I spoke as I relaxed some.
“I love you, and I’ll see you later.”
“I love you too,” I replied before ending the call.
Walking into my bathroom, I wrapped my hair up before getting in the shower. When I was done, I put on my robe and walked into my bedroom. I hooked my phone up to my Bluetooth speaker and turned on some music. For a moment, I sat on my bed, listening to SZA, before I started getting dressed. I wanted to take my time so that I could make sure everything was perfect. I rubbed lotion onto my body before I put on my bra and panty set. After, I took my time and applied my makeup, nothing too heavy, just a light beat that I finished off with setting spray to hold it in place. I checked the time, seeing that I only had an hour before it was time for me to leave. Once I wasdressed and sprayed myself with perfume, I grabbed my purse and was ready to walk out the door.
By the time I pulled up outside Nazuri’s house, it was four twenty-five. Getting out the car, I walked up the walkway and walked in the door. She was sitting on her couch, smoking a blunt, as she looked up at me.
“Bitch, we were supposed to leave an hour ago,” Nazuri spoke as she puffed from her blunt.
“Bitch, please. Don’t try to act like you was ready. I’m sure you just got dressed.”
“I been dressed for the last fifteen minutes, but that isn’t the point.”
I laughed, shaking my head. Nazuri stood to her feet and put her blunt out in the ashtray. She wore a burnt-orange halter dress that hugged every single curve she had. The dress stopped at her mid-thigh, showing off her thick legs. Her honey-blonde curls were layered and full, falling all down her back, while dramatic lashes framed sharp brown eyes. Gold bangles were stacked on one wrist, while gold strappy heels adorned her feet.
“Okay, bitch, I see you. You look good, sis.”
“Thanks, so do you. Looking like old money with that scarf tied around yo’ neck. And that bob is fire.”
“Thanks, girl. But we gotta go. I can’t be nervous and late,” I spoke as I made my way to the door.
“What you nervous for, girl?”
I turned around and looked into her eyes. “Girl, what if their parents don’t like me or don’t understand our relationship?”
“Girl, please. I’m sure they gon’ love you. You say Crue and Kadeem love you, right?” she asked as we walked out the door.
“Yeah, they both love me very much.”
“Then you have to trust that they would never put you in a situation where something like that will happen.”
“You know what? You’re absolutely correct. I didn’t even think about it like that.”
We got into my car, and I put the address of the party into my GPS. About twenty minutes later, we had arrived in Grosse Pointe, and it was much different from the city. Luxury shops lined the streets, and the neighborhoods were full of huge homes with manicured lawns. Nazuri looked out the window in awe at damn near every house we passed.
“Damn, these houses are beautiful,” Nazuri admired. “Whose house are we going to again?”
“It’s Crue’s mother’s house.”
“Damn, she livin’ good.”
The GPS announced that we had arrived, and both our mouths dropped. This wasn’t a house that we were looking up at; this was an estate. A massive black iron gate stretched across the entire front entrance, elegant gold detailing twisting through the metalwork, while tall stone pillars stood on both sides with lantern lights glowing softly at the top. Beyond the gates sat a driveway so long I couldn’t see the house from where we sat.
“Bitch,” Nazuri whispered.
I just nodded my head because I knew we were both thinking the same thing. A security guard dressed in an all-black suit stepped out from a small gatehouse the second my car rolled forward.
