Spence stopped in his tracks when he noticed me. A corner of his mouth lifted. “What’s up, Laiya?”
I schooled my features, glancing up at him. “Hey, Spence.”
“Ryan?” Aunt Vicki said.
“Victoria Young.” Ryan leaned down and gave my aunt a quick hug. “It’s been too long. How’s Stew?”
“He’s good,” she explained. “How’s the family?”
“Great.”
She introduced me. “This is my niece, Alaiya.”
Ryan frowned. “I know Alaiya.” He greeted me with a smile and a quick hug. Turning to my aunt, he asked, “How did I not know she was your niece?”
“Dort’s daughter,” Aunt Vicki explained.
I couldn’t help but feel like lab specimen as Ryan searched my face. “Small world. Laiya lived on my mother’s block for years.”
Aunt Vicki leaned back, her eyes wide. “Wow.”
While they chatted a few minutes about his upcoming campaign for mayor of Ypsilanti, Spence stared at me. Suddenly uncomfortable, I spent a few seconds smoothing my hands over the tablecloth, adjusting the salt-and-pepper shakers, and sipping my water. It had been months since he’d carried my high ass out of that house party, and I’d avoided contact with him since. Now I was forced to talk to him, to look at him, to acknowledge the way he always made me feel. Warm. Safe.
It had been that way since the first day I’d seen him. He’d given me his bologna sandwich because I was hungry. I had already moved at least ten times and attended five different elementary schools by my seventh birthday. That particular day, my mother had disappeared, leaving me at home with one of my “uncles”. To protect myself, I’d left the house. It was hot outside, but my mother hadn’t done laundry in weeks. I had no clean clothes, so I wore an old Halloween costume. Then, Spence came and sat with me until I had no choice but to go home.
He reached out and brushed my shoulder. It was an innocent touch, but I felt it in every part of my body. I peered over at Aunt Vicki, who was still talking to Ryan, before I turned back to Spence. “How’s it going?”
“How areyou?” he tossed back.
“Good,” I lied. “Just working. School.” I swallowed hard, then blurted out, “Rod proposed.”
Spence’s brows drew together. “You’re engaged?”
My throat went dry. “Yes,” I croaked.
“Were you engaged the last time I saw you?”
When I realized that the conversation had stopped on the other side of the table, I looked over at my aunt and Ryan. Sure enough, they were watching us.
After clearing my throat, I explained, “He asked me to marry him that morning, actually.” And I’d been so caught off guard, so nervous, so scared, I went to that party. Iwanted to escape—even if it was just for a little while. “We’re going to have a small ceremony in Toledo next week.”
“Why so fast?” he asked.
“Rod doesn’t want to wait.”
“What about whatyouwant?”
I shot my aunt a sidelong glance. The look in her eyes told me she had the same question, so I toldbothof them, “This is what I want.”
His jaw clenched. “I guess you know what you’re doing. Ryan, I’m going to head to the table.”
Ryan glanced at me, then Spence, and finally back at me. “Right. We better leave you two beautiful ladies to your lunch.” He squeezed my hand. “Laiya, congrats on your engagement.” He smiled at my aunt. “Vicki, tell Stew to give me a call.”
“I will,” Aunt Vicki assured, keeping her eyes trained on me.
A moment later, we were alone again. She didn’t speak for what felt like an eternity, so I broke the ice. “I didn’t realize you knew the Cross family.”
Aunt Vicki followed my lead and answered, “We met years ago. Went to college together.”
