“Youdefinitely are,” Dallas told Blake, ducking when a pillow whizzed past her head. Unfazed, she looked at me. “Okay, spill.”
Closing my eyes, I tried to think of a way to cut this conversation short. But they were all staring at me, and they wouldn’t let this go. “Making out implies that we were doing more than we were.”
Dallas smirked. “What the hell were you doing?”
“It was a kiss,” I admitted. “Onekiss.”
“A long kiss,” Des murmured. “Anyway, I’m totally fine if you want to date Mr. Spencer.”
“I still don’t know who the hell Mr. Spencer is,” Blake yelled. “Somebody say something.”
Des laughed. “Blake, you’re trippin’. My boss. Mr. Spencer?”
Demi frowned. “Taylar’s uncle?”
“Zaddy!” Bliss beamed. “You kissed Zaddy.”
Four pairs of wide eyes stared at me, making me extremely uncomfortable. I shifted, fidgeting with my sleeve. “Stop looking at me.”
The corners of Blake’s mouth quirked up. “Damn. You kissed fine-ass Spencer Cross.”
Dallas gave her sister a high-five. “So fine.”
“With his smooth, brown skin and beard,” Bliss added.
A sly smile spread across Demi’s mouth. “All that swag.”
“Oh. My. God! Y’all are doing the most. Can we please not talk about this?” Des asked. “I’m okay with Mom dating him, but I don’t need to know that Mr. Spencer is fine.”
Bliss scoffed. “You have eyes, sweetie. You know a hottie when you see one.”
Des bit down on her bottom lip. “Okay, he’s handsome. In a fatherly way. Mom, if you like him, go for it.”
A smile tugged at my lips as a huge wave a relief washed over me. Because now I was free to pursue this. And I wanted it. “Thanks, babe. What do you think?” I asked, twirling so they could see the fit.
“You’re a snack.” Des grinned. “And that outfit is snatched, Mom.”
I gave her a hug. “Thanks, babe.”
“Definitely,” Dallas agreed. “I’m glad you chose a non-work option.”
“Or funeral,” Blake joked.
“Ha. Ha.” I grabbed my coat. “I’m glad you came home, Des. But aren’t you supposed to be helping Duke with the catering?”
My daughter had always marched to her own tune. Her college degree was merely a stepping stool in the grand scheme of her life. According to her, she wanted to thrive in her career, not simply survive. I’d always encouraged her to follow her own path, and in some ways, admired her for her commitment to self-fulfillment over upward mobility.
“Change of plans. Sloane decided to hire caterers,” she explained. “She wanted Duke to enjoy the event, not worry about the food.”
Demi gathered the empty wine glasses. “Which is good for me because I get to dance with my man and not play sous chef today. Duke was mad when she told him, though, because he doesn’t trust other people’s food.”
I put my earrings in. “Makes sense. I don’t either.” Once Iwas done with all the finishing touches, I turned to them again. “Okay, I’m ready.”
“Do you have condoms?” Dallas asked.
“Really, Dallas?” Des screeched. “I don’t need that visual.”
“Better that than an oopsie baby,” Bliss muttered.
