“You made your point,” I said. “Didn’t exactly hold back.”
She chuckled, then lifted her chin. “Anyway, I didn’t want to leave it like that. And I also wanted to say...”
She paused, watching the dance floor below where Simone and Raschad swayed together, grinning like fools. “… that I get it. You're probably standing here half proud, half ready to fold because your baby sister just flew the nest. It’s bittersweet.”
I said nothing, but she'd read me right.
“You should be proud though,” she continued. “Simone’s happy. Raschad too. That didn’t happen by accident. From what Raschad has told us, you’ve done a hell of a job leading your family.”
I didn’t know how to respond to that, so again, I said nothing.
“It’s the truth. She’s glowing down there because of the way you stepped up for her. And Raschad?” She laughed quietly. “That boy worships the ground you walk on. Looks up to you like nobody’s business. You could’ve made it hard for him. Instead you took him in, mentored him, treated him like family from day one. Don’t think our family doesn’t see that. We do. And appreciate it.”
There was something about the way she said it, direct and clear, that pulled at me. Her eyes found mine again, unflinching. A foreign feeling passed through me in that moment, throwing me off. I shut it down quickly, clearing my throat.
“If I don't see you again before you head back to New Jersey,” I kept my tone neutral, “have a safe trip.”
Her lips curved, slyly. “Oh, you’ll see me again. I’m moving here. Just gotta head back to Jersey, wrap things up, and get our belongings. Then it’s Lennox Falls for good.”
That feeling I’d shut down flickered back up. Excitement? No, that was ridiculous. Anticipation? No.Curiosity. Maybe. I buried it again fast. Whatever the feeling was, it had no business being there.
She must’ve caught something in my expression, because she smiled wider, causing my heartbeat to jolt. “Relax, I won’t blow your cover. Your secret’s safe with me.”
My brow lifted. “What secret?”
“That you’re really a marshmallow heart in a CEO suit.” She winked, already stepping back toward the stairs. “Won’t tell a soul.”
Then she was gone, leaving me standing there, drink in hand, wondering what the hell that was.
The cake had just been cutand I found myself back at our table. Involuntarily, I glanced over at the adjacent table where Alyssa had taken her seat with her sisters. Despite my best efforts not to, I found myself watching for her most of the night. My family, of course, noticed.
Zion, sitting beside me, elbowed me and smirked. “So what'd she call you again?Mr. Corporate?”
“Don't start.”
“I’llstart,” Tre chimed in, leaning back in his chair. “'Mr. Suit and Tie,'that’s what she called him.”
Taryn nearly choked on her drink. “Wait—y'all talking about when Alyssa read Julian for filth on the foot?—”
I shot her a look. “Eat your cake, T.”
“You’re not over it, huh?” Taryn pointed her fork at me. “Did y’all catch when she walked into the rehearsal dinner, in that green dress? This man caught his foot on absolutelynothing.”
“Almost went down in front of the open bar.” Zion shook his head, laughing.
“There was a step.”
“Julian. There was no step.”
“He’s been tracking all night.” Tre kept talking about me like I wasn’t sitting there. “She moves, his head moves. You’re a satellite, bruh.”
The three of them laughed, amused with themselves.
“Y’all don’t have anything better to do, other than annoy me?” I asked.
“Nope,” they said in unison, laughing like they were front row at a comedy show.
I shook my head, ignoring them, and took another sip of my drink, staring straight ahead. I lasted a song, maybe two, watching the dance floor, nursing my drink, politely nodding at guests passing by. Anywhere but at her.
