He gave me that warm smile of his that always gave me butterflies. "I love it, baby. Just like I loved the other two you put on before this one."
"Okay," I nodded. "I just want this to go well, you know."
"And it will," he replied gently. "You're lovable as hell. You're just going to hang out with my mom and sister. It'll be fun. You'll have a good time and they'll love you. I hope you'll love them just as much."
"I'm sure I will. They're your family. I love everything in your world," I smiled.
Remy grinned and rubbed his cheeks. "You be making me blush, babe. I don’t know how you do that to me." He tried to rub away his smile to no avail. "Can't even stop smiling when I look at you."
I laughed softly. "I can't either, baby."
We held each other's eyes for a moment—just smiling.
"I love you, Gianna," he said finally, voice filled with so much sincerity I felt it in my spirit.
"I love you too, Remy," I sighed happily.
"Call me as soon you guys are done, okay? Overall, just have fun, beautiful. And if they try to grill you—call me."
Laughing softly, I nodded. "I will. But I can handle it. I'll take an interrogation for you."
His grin deepened. "See—right there. Dammit." He rubbed his cheeks again.
"I'll talk to you in a lil' bit, handsome." I blew him a kiss, and he caught it swallowing it.
With another happy sigh, we waved and hung up.
"Damn I love that man." I grinned to my reflection. Stepping back, I adjusted the straps on the lavender dress I was wearing. It was pretty, flowy, soft with just a hint of sexy. Perfect for the spring weather.
Spraying on a few spritzes of perfume, I fluffed out my curls and nodded in satisfaction. I don’t know why I was so nervous. I had been talking to his sister and mom in text for a couple of weeks now. But this would be our first in-person meeting together and I just wanted everything to go well. I really liked them. I loved and adored Remy and Melo. These people could be my family if things with us continued to go well.
Grabbing my purse, I slid my feet into my wedges and headed out. We were meeting at this amazing Thai restaurant on The Strip. I handed the valet my keys and headed inside where they were already waiting for me.
Angel spotted me first as the server led me to the table. Her smile was immediate as she waved. Ms. Betty looked over and they both stood as I approached.
"Oh it's so good to see you again, Gianna." Ms. Betty hugged me first. "And you look so pretty. I love this color on you." She touched my dress, smile bright and warm.
"Thank you so much," I took my sunglasses off my eyes, smiling. "You look beautiful as well."
"Thank you, chile." She did a small spin.
"Hey, sis-in-law!" Angel threw open her arms, and we hugged rocking side-to-side like we had known each other for years.
Already I felt like this was going to be a great lunch. We took our seats and ordered cocktails.
"You gotta watch her when she gets a lil' liquor in her, girl." Angel gave her mama a playful side-eye. "She be forgetting her age when she drinks."
Ms. Betty laughed and waved her off.
"Unh-unh, what you be doing when you get a cocktail in you, Ms. Betty?" I laughed.
"I just get a little bit festive that's all," she laughed, touching my arm lightly.
"Doing the Tootsie Roll festive," Angel quipped and we all laughed together.
"Well let me get at least two drinks in you, 'cause I gotta see that," I chuckled.
Our cocktails arrived and we placed our orders. While we sipped, we chatted and laughed. Nothing about it felt awkward. So much so that when the topic of my work came around, I was totally fine with discussing it.
