“I like him a lot.”
Aunt Vicki pinned me with her gaze. “Youlikehim?”
Shifting in my seat, I scratched the back of my neck. “I might feel more for him than like.”
“Might?” Uncle Linc tag teamed.
“No, I do,” I admitted.
He set his fork down. “What’s the problem?”
“Is it too soon? After the divorce.” It had been a few weeks since we’d had the discussion. Spence had assured me we could go slow, but everything between us happened super fast. Married to Rod one day, dicked down by Spence the next.
“Laiya, I get it.” Aunt Vicki set her glass of water down. “You spent decades in a marriage that didn’t fulfill you. It’s natural for you to feel hesitant about starting something new. But let the record show … what’s happening between you and Spencer isnotnew. I’m a witness.”
Uncle Linc nodded. “Exactly.”
Frowning, I glanced at him. “You weren’t there, Uncle.”
“Thatday,” he said. “I’ve seen you with him.”
My mind drifted back to the only time I’d run into my uncle when I was with Spence before the divorce. We’d met for lunch at Coney Island to discuss real estate. Ran into Uncle Linc and Aunt Layla. “We were talking business.”
“But there was a comfort between you that I’ve never seen with you and Rod.”
Wow. “That’s deep.”
Aunt Vicki squeezed my hand. “Babe, when you think of your life at fifty?—”
I jerked back in surprise. “That’s a few years away,” I pointed out.
“I know, Alaiya. You don’t have to remind me. Just go with it.”
“Okay.”
“Visualize who’s sitting next to you,” she continued. “You’re having fun, laughing, talking, just enjoying your time. Who’s with you?”
It didn’t take much to imagine the scene. A beach or a porch. A gentle breeze. Stillness. His smile … “Spence,” I whispered.
Aunt Vicki passed a knowing glance to Uncle Linc before her eyes connected with mine. “That’s what I thought. Stop thinking about the timing. The important thing to remember is that you’re single. He’s single. You’re free to be with each other.”
“Spence said the same thing.”
“He’s smart,” Uncle Linc said. “When I fell in love with Layla, I knew within minutes I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her.”
“You two have had decades to figure it out,” Aunt Vicki added.
“You’re right,” I conceded.
“Good,” she chirped. “Our work here is done. Just don’t elope this time.”
I giggled, shaking my head. “I don’t think you have to worry about that any time soon.”
While I hadn’t considered marrying again, I couldn’t help but feel excited about the vision of the future I’d conjured up. Living carefree with Spencer. For the rest of our lives.
CHAPTER 8
Vibe for Me
