Page 106 of Senior

“Old enough to know to mind our fucking business.”

Kathy glared at Maddie before looking to me. “So, you’re just gonna let your little sister wives talk to me crazy, Stephanie?”

“You came over here talking crazy. We were minding our own business. You could have easily walked away, but you stopped to give your speculations on a matter you know nothing about. Like I said, I was faithful to my husband. Who I’m in a relationship with now isn’t your concern. I’m not doing anything that your brother didn’t approve of.”

She frowned. “He would never!”

“Oh, but he did. That was your brother, I get it. But he was my husband, and we had conversations about shit that you weren’t privy to. Speaking of conversations, I’m done with this one. We would like to finish our meal in peace. I’m not discussing this with you again. If you happen to see me out with my man, don’t say shit to us and don’t look in our direction. I don’t want to be that type of person to you, Kathy, but I will protect my peace. Excuse yourself.”

I turned around as the server brought out our appetizers. The rest of the ladies continued to stare her down while I ignored her. I understood her hurt over the loss of her brother. I even understood her thinking something was going on while I was married, but the fact remained that it wasn’t.

I gave my all to my husband and he gave me his in return. I didn’t owe a soul and explanation for moving on or who I moved on with. My husband was dead and life didn’t stop because he was.

EARLIER

“Damn, that shit is nice!”

I whistled as I stared at the diamond ring sitting before me. After leaving my lunch with Emmy, I was going to pick up Steph, but she said Maddie would drop her off because she was coming to see Mia and TJ. That came at the perfect time because Jakobi called to tell me my order was ready.

The four-carat princess cut ring was everything I knew it would be when I approached my nephew about it months ago. There was nobody I trusted with this process more than him.

“You’re satisfied?”

“Kobi, I don’t think you could have done any better. This is perfect, man.”

He smiled and dapped me up. “I’m happy for you, Unc. I don’t get in too many people’s business, even family. But I’ve been watching you over the years. Once you got to fully retire, I saw you trying to better yourself as a man. You were patient when it came to Ms. Stephanie. I know everyone clowns you about that woman, but you did right by her this time around. You were a friend when she needed it. I have hella respect for you for that, old man. My heart wouldn’t have let me let the love of my life be without me.”

I chuckled. “Wisdom comes with age, nephew. I appreciate that.”

“So, when is the big day?”

“About that…”

His brows furrowed as he stared at me. “What about it?”

“I don’t wanna just propose. I want to plan the wedding of her dreams.”

He chuckled. “Are you sure she’s gonna say yes?”

“This is lucky number seven.”

“Seven? Shiiiiit, After the first no, I don’t know if I would have asked again. You thirsty as hell for that lady.”

I laughed. “I guess I am.”

“What is it about her, Unc? After all these years.”

I sat back in the chair across from him and thought for a moment. That was a loaded question.

“You ever seen something and it’s like God and the universe pulled it right out of your wildest dreams?”

He chuckled. “My wife and daughter.”

His and Renay’s surrogate had given birth to their daughter Nadia last month and she was the cutest, chubbiest, most perfect little girl. They were so in love with her, and I was happy for them.

“That’s how I feel about Stephanie. The first time I saw her as a jit, a nigga was mesmerized. It wasn’t just because she was pretty and I was a hormonal teenager. It was her aura… her confidence, her heart. Steph’s heart was always pure.

“For all the bad I’ve done in the world, having her heart made me feel like I was worthy of something good. The way that she loves unconditionally, even when you don’t deserve that shit is something special. She’s patient. Kind but not a soft ass pushover. Baby might be nice, but she’ll give you your shit right back.