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“This is so cute!” Denim exclaimed, easing into her seat.
“How does it feel to be royalty?” Niyomi asked.
“I am not royalty. That’s a bit dramatic.”
“Shit, close to it. You see how she rushed to open the terrace for Mrs. Meraux.”
“Please stop,” I blushed because I didn’t see myself as royalty. Hell, I didn’t even look at Gianni that way. Sometimes it was crazy watching how people reacted to him when we were out.
Gianni was never fazed by it. He was the center of attention in any room he stepped in, yet he maneuvered as if every woman wasn’t salivating at the sight of him. It turned me on, watching his eyes only light up for me.
“It’s the truth, and you know it.”
“I don’t care about any of that. Gi and I are happy. That’s all that matters to me because this shit could’ve ended badly.”
I was so thankful it didn’t. It was the way he paid attention to the things I didn’t say. He’d meet me at a gas station to fill my tank, so I wouldn’t have to. Gianni could read my feelings like his favorite book, never growing tired of reassuring me to feel safe. The way he called my best friends to town because he knew I needed something he couldn’t provide.
I didn’t take Gianni and all of his greatness for granted. If anything, it made me love myself harder and want to show up for him the same way he did me. Kiss him when he’s sad and sometimes just because—genuinely listening to him after a long day. Complimenting him and telling him how much I appreciate him. I wanted to care for my man how women expected to be treated because they needed that too.
“It damn sure could’ve, but it didn’t. Hell, maybe we need to go out tonight, so I can have a one-night stand with a stranger who ultimately changes my life,” Denim joked.
“Everybody can’t be God’s favorite, so I wouldn’t recommend that.”
“Oh, please. Let’s not forget you crying on my couch. I don’t want to move to DuPont Falls with those crazy people,” Niyomi mimicked.
“I’m allowed to change my mind. Those people are still crazy but not so bad.” The jury was still out on Tyson, but saving my life earned him a second chance. “Oh, but get this. Remember Gi’s cousin with the dreads?” Both Niyomi and Denim nodded. “He was fucking Gianni’s ex, and now she’s pregnant.”
“So they have to get married?” Denim asked as her mouth hung open, waiting for my response. The lemon drop in front of me had my attention, so I could only nod. “What the fuck?”
“That’s messy as hell. How did Gi take it?”
“He was pissed at first, but he says they’re fine now,” I shrugged.
“He’s better than me. I would’ve whooped my cousin's ass.” Denim vowed, and I believed her.
“That’s crazy, but it’s always some shit with those royal families. I guess theirs isn’t any different.”
I didn’t bother correcting Niyomi. She was insistent that Gianni was royalty despite me telling her otherwise. I couldn’t speak for anybody else, but I hoped the baby wasn’t Tyson’s. Kyerra didn’t threaten me, but I damn sure didn’t want to see her at every family function.
The doorbell dinging paused my stride in the hallway. I was getting dressed so I could meet Kyerra. She still hadn’t decided if she was going to keep the baby or not. I didn’t see the point in doing a DNA test if she wasn’t going to keep it, but I wasn’t in the mood to fight with her or anybody.
Pulling the door open, I saw Uncle Ross on my doorstep. He didn’t drop by often, and I wasn’t expecting his presence today.
“Wassup?”
“I was just in the neighborhood and decided to drop by. Are you busy?”
“On my way to meet Kyerra in a few,” I replied, welcoming him inside.
“How is she doing?”
“It’s not like that with us anymore so that I wouldn’t know.”
“What are you going to do if the baby is yours?”
“The only thing I can do. Step up.” The situation was far from ideal, but I prayed about it. I had given the rest to God because trying to handle it alone would only make things worse. The ball was in Kyerra’s court now. “Unless y’all are ready to drop this age-old tradition of marrying to preserve the bloodline.”
I didn’t think it would work, honestly. Our family name was built on tradition, but they had accepted Sky and Cam. I knew it was a reach, but if there was hope for Mack, I had to try my hand too.
