AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I chuckled. “It’s nice to meet you, Journey. Unfortunately, I don’t have a brother.”
“A friend?”
“None that are single.”
“Well, damn.” She shook her head and blew out a heavy breath. “Anyway! It’s so good to see you, Pasha. We’ve really missed you. Family reunions aren’t the same without Uncle Solomon and Aunt Virginia cutting up on the dance floor.”
“Wait,” I interrupted. “So, your parents could dance, but all you have is your two-step?”
She playfully shoved me. “Don’t come for my two-step! And, yes, my parents had serious moves. They just didn’t pass their rhythm down to me.”
Journey laughed. “They sure didn’t. But don’t worry. I’m gonna loosen her up a bit. Wait until you see her hit this cupid shuffle.”
“Y’all still play that?” Pasha asked.
“Every year, boo.”
Journey linked her arm through Pasha’s and pulled her ahead as they continued to chat. I trailed behind. I came for moral support, so I didn’t feel any type of way about that. She was with her family, the people who loved her as much as I did. I’d never stop her from enjoying this reunion with them.
As I boarded the boat, I was greeted with more squealing women. It was clear this was a family thing amongst the women.
Pasha was swarmed with a mixture of younger and older women, all smothering her with hugs and kisses. Her smile was bright and wide. I could feel the joy radiating through her.
“Oh!” Journey exclaimed, looking back at me. She came over and grabbed my hand, pulling me over to the group. “This handsome specimen is Pasha’s boyfriend, Callum.”
She began rattling off everybody’s names, and it was hard to keep up. At least ten women surrounded us.
I smiled and extended my hand to each of them. “Good morning, ladies. It’s very nice to meet you all.”
They all smiled and said hello.
“Well, he is quite the looker,” said the woman I remembered as Aunty Trudy. “I see you, niece. You better hold on tight to this one.”
Pasha slipped her arms around my waist. “Trust me, I am. He’s not going anywhere, and neither am I.”
She tilted her head up, and I pressed my lips to hers. The women giggled and whistled.
Aunt Trudy clapped her hands. “All right now, let’s get this party started. Callum, I hope you can hang. Things might get a little wild on this boat. We don’t know how to act when we get together.”
I chuckled. “I’m ready for whatever, Ms. Trudy.”
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you, handsome.”
She playfully winked at me. The group turned to walk ahead, with Pasha and me trailing behind.
“I feel at home,” she said, looking over at me. “I needed that push to do this. I won’t say the words you’ve banned me from saying, but you already know what I want to say.”
I’d put her on a ban from saying thank you to me so much. I didn’t need thanks. Anything I did for her was out of love or necessity, never for recognition. It was hard for her, but she’d been doing better by simply accepting it and moving on.
“Anytime, baby.”
“When we get back, I have something special for you.”
“Something special?”
“Mmm-hmm. Something lacy, black, and very sexy.”
“Three of my favorite words. I’ll be patiently waiting.”
