My heart pounded with the kind of nervous energy that came before taking the leap into the unknown. “I . . . well,wehave something to tell y’all,” I began, clearing the cobwebs from my throat.
Liv cheesed harder than the Cheshire cat as she put her wineglass to her lips, and Lex let out a nervous chuckle.
“Who is we?” Mama inquired.
Lex and I exchanged a glance, and then, almost in unison, we blurted out, “Us.”
Everyone’s expressions were open, yet curious. Mama’s eyes widened. “We’re listening.”
“Lex and I are together now,” I declared.
“Together as in . . . a couple?” Pops asked for clarification.
I dipped my chin. “Yeah.”
The table fell silent for a few fleeting seconds that felt more like hours. Then, my parents shrugged, their expressions shifting to knowing smiles. Mama’s smile beamed bright enough to illuminate the entire dimly lit restaurant. “You’re serious?”
“Yeah, Mama. We’re serious.”
She rested her hand over her heart. “It’s about time life knocked some sense into you two.”
Lex tilted her head to the side. “What do you mean, Mama Gray?”
“We always knew this would happen. We’ve just been waiting for you two to realize it.”
Pops bobbed his head in agreement as a lighthearted chuckle slipped past his lips. “Do you know how many years I’ve had to listen to this woman talk about how good it would be to have youas an official part of this family, Alexis? This announcement is a dream come true. You’re already like a daughter to us.”
The tension dissolved into thin air, leaving nothing but lighter hearts and laughter in its wake. Lex and I looked at each other, our relief spilling over into shared laughter and relieved smiles.
“Guess we were late to the party,” I said.
“I know I was,” my sister joked, and Lex playfully nudged her with her shoulder.
“Doesn’t matter now,” Mama added, her voice warm. “What matters is that you two are happy.”
“Thanks,” I said, my voice thick with emotion.
Lex nodded, silently echoing my gratitude. “We are.”
I pulled her close to me, publicly displaying my feelings for her for the first time. There was no better feeling. It was different, no longer about comfort or reassurance. It was about new beginnings with the woman I’d move mountains for.
The next weekend came,and I was happy that the news of my called-off wedding was no longer a topic of discussion. At least to no one that mattered. Instead, we were all gathered at Liv and Oak’s parents’ house to celebrate Liv’s award on a grander scale.
I’d already been there for two hours helping to decorate, set up the tables, and most importantly, keeping Liv out of everyone’s way. From the balloon garland set up around the photo backdrop to the gift table and wide spread of everything from shrimp alfredo and jerk chicken wings to seafood salad and buffalo chicken dip—all of her favorite comfort foods—Liv’s celebration party was almost ready to begin.
Mama Gray had wasted no time putting Oak and me to work. I was in the kitchen organizing the fruit tray when Oak walkedin with a box of leftover decorations we didn’t use. He was supposed to be helping his dad secure the tent in the backyard, but the minute he walked in and saw me, he paused as if he’d lost his train of thought.
He sauntered toward me with a lazy grin, lifting one side of his mouth. Before I knew it, he was behind me with his hands gently massaging my shoulders to ease my stress. “Need help?”
I smirked. “You already know I don’t, but you’re over here in my face anyway.”
“I was just checking on you.”
No matter how busy we seemed to be, Oak never wasted a chance to steal a kiss or playfully smack my ass when his mama wasn’t around. This time was no different. Still, I tried my best to keep working on the fruit tray, but the more he touched and teased me, the harder it became to concentrate.
“Stop it before you get something started,” I said, playfully swatting his hand away from my waist.
“Maybe that’s exactly what I’m tryna do.”
