Page 80 of Mia

That did it. We were all in stitches. One thing about my brother, if he got too high, he turned into a regular comedian. I’d had my share of laughs with him, just like this. You could never underestimate this man because there were so many layers to him.

Even if the Dillingers hated to admit it, he fit right in with them. While I didn’t care about being well liked by a soul, it was easier to keep the peace than have an infinite beef with my in-laws. They’d grown on me,’ and even if they never say it out loud, I’d grown on them too.

DATE NIGHT

Istood in front of my full-length mirror, looking over myself. I’d given in and allowed this man to dress me for our date. I was surprised when my mother showed up with a white box with a huge red bow on it a few hours ago. When I pulled off the top, my eyes widened at the cream colored, strapless dress with a sweetheart neckline. The bust of the dress was covered in beautiful beading while the rest of it hugged my small curves like a glove.

Not only had he sent the dress, but he also sent a matching pair of heels and jewelry.

He wouldn’t tell me where we were going or what we were doing. He basically said my job was to show up and look good in whatever he picked out for me. I could tell he was excited about the date because he wouldn’t even spend the night here last night. He told me he had to pick me up like it was our first date. Even if I rolled my eyes, I sickenly found the gesture cute.

“You look so beautiful, baby,” my mother said, coming up behind me.

She’d taken the initiative to do light makeup and my hair in a sleek updo with a messy bun of curls and two tendrils hanging in the front. As I looked over everything, I had to admit that I was impressed, and I looked amazing.

She had tears in her eyes, and it confused me. I turned to her with a frown.

“Ma, why are you crying?”

“Because. . . I’m just happy you’re still here, Mia. I’m happy I get to see your growth with bettering yourself and see you embrace being a wife. All I’ve ever wanted for you was to be happy in life. I know you still have a way to go, but I see you changing.” She cupped my face. “I know you will come out of this stronger than ever.”

She pulled me into a hug and kissed my temple. She’d been so soft with me since everything happened. It was different, but in a good way. When she pulled away, she swiped at the tears pooling in her eyes.

“Okay, enough of that,” she said with a giggle. “Again, you look beautiful. I’m sure Titan will be just as handsome.”

At the mention of his name, the doorbell rang. My mother was giddy with excitement as she turned to me.

“He’s here!”

“Ma, you’re acting really weird.”

“Girl, come on here.”

She pulled me out of the room, and we headed downstairs. This man was really taking this first date thing serious because he had a key to my house and was still standing outside. When I opened the door. . . fuck! My panties flooded at the sight of him in a perfectly tailored five-piece suit. His hair was freshly retwisted and styled into a bun atop his head. White old jewelry completed his look, but didn’t overpower it. When he smiled at me, that platinum grill glistened beneath my porch light.

“Damn, mamas,” he said, lowly as he looked me over from head to toe. “I did good, didn’t I?”

I playfully rolled my eyes. “You did a’ight.”

“Ma, tell your daughter to stop playing on my top,” he said to my mother.

She laughed. “You did her perfect,” she said.

Titan grinned as he reached for my hand. “Come here.”

No sooner than I placed my hand in his was I being pulled into his strong arms. He wrapped one around my waist and gripped the back of my neck with the other before crashing his lips into mine. I forgot all about my mama being there when I moaned into his mouth.

“All right now,” she said. “Don’t get beside yourself.”

We both turned to her with grins on our faces.

“Sorry,” I said, wiping my lip gloss from his lips.

“You two look beautiful,” she said, pulling out her phone. “Let me take a picture.”

“Come on, Ma” I protested.

“Pose for the damn picture, girl.”