Page 147 of Mia

“Congratulations, man.”

“Thank you.”

Mia released her mother and turned to hug him as well.

“I’m so happy for you guys,” she said. “I’ve never seen my mama glow like she does with you, Mr. Bronx.”

He kissed her cheek. “She’s worth every glow,” he said, winking at Ms. Maddie.

“Let me see that ring, Ma,” I said, reaching for her hand.

She gave it to me with a smirk on her face, like she knew it was the shit. And it was. That bitch was at least five carats and crystal clear.

“I know you see it,” she said confidently.

I grinned. “I see you, Ma. You did your thing, big homie,” I said to Mr. Bronx.

“Y’all’s cousin Jakobi is actually my jeweler. Has been for years now. I didn’t know the family connection until a few months after we started dating.”

“Small world.”

“So, when did this happen?” Mia asked, taking her seat.

“About a week ago,” Ms. Maddie answered. “We went out of town to check on one of the restaurants, so I thought, but it was all a ruse. Bronx planned a beautiful evening. He took me on a yacht where we had a candlelit dinner on the lake, just the two of us. The man had my favorite singer there to serenade us while we ate, Mia. I almost lost my damn mind.”

Bronx chuckled. “She did. When that woman came out, your mama went running. I thought she was gonna jump overboard for a second there.”

Ms. Maddie playfully slapped his chest. “Anyway, we slow danced to a few songs after we finished eating. I was just completely blown away by the night and then he dropped to one knee, told me how much he loved me, and asked me to be his wife. It was an immediate yes.”

Mia poked out her lip and touched her heart. “I’m so happy for you, Mommy.”

“Thank you, baby.”

“So, when is the wedding?” I asked.

“We were thinking this summer. Somewhere tropical.”

“A destination wedding!” Mia clapped her hands excitedly. “You have to let me help you plan it!”

“Girl, who else is gonna help me? Other than Tara, you know I don’t have friends.”

“Moms would be on that,” I said. “Don’t have my mama in the tropics thinking she’s a hot girl, Ma. I don’t wanna see her in no skimpy ass shit.”

“Boy hush. Your mama is grown and David is gonna be right there salivating over her.”

“You right about that.”

Mia smirked. “You have to tell Booker, Ma.”

Ms. Maddie rolled her eyes. “Don’t get me started with that damn boy.”

“I’m calling him right now.”

She pulled out her phone and tapped the screen. A few seconds later, the FaceTime call was ringing. Booker finally picked up on the fourth ring.

“I know hell is about to freeze over if your mean ass is calling me,” he said, amusement in his voice.

Mia rolled her eyes. “Hey, Booker.”