I knew they'd clock the dress and heels for what they were, borrowed for one night, tags still on for a return tomorrow, and decide exactly where I came from before I said a word.
I smoothed the front of my dress one more time and grabbed my bag.
“How do I look?”
“You look great.” Airalynn stood and fixed my strap. “And I know his family name scares you. But Ducane is following his heart. Who cares what his uppity parents think? He loves you.”
The doorbell sounded before I could say anything back. I kissed Airalynn on the cheek, hugged Fee, and opened the door.
My handsome man was looking too good to even begin to calm my nerves.
He offered his arm, and I took it. We made small talk the whole ride over, his hand finding mine across the console.
“Are you okay?” I asked; his silence felt different tonight.
“Yeah, baby, I’m cool, just tired.”
Within twenty minutes, we were pulling up to Sasha Roe. My body shook with nerves as Ducane helped me from the car.
“Relax,” he whispered in my ear before kissing it. “I love you, and that’s all that’s ever going to matter.”
I melted and straightened up as we headed in for dinner.
We were seated, and introductions commenced. And then the small, intimate dinner got started. The restaurant had low lighting, small portions, and goop splayed over the plates. All the things that made everything cost way too much. A dollop of chicken was $90, absurd.
I was seated next to Ducane with Bianca, a family friend who laughed too loudly at everything Ducane said on the other side of me. She kept subtly scratching my ankle with her heel under the table. It felt purposeful because how does one’s foot find me even when I move it?
I let it go and kept my smile wide and conversation light. Turning up in a restaurant like this in front of his people wasn’t how I wanted them to remember me.
But when Bianca stood to make a point, her martini tilted, and the cold liquid hit my dress, causing me to cuss and shriek before I could stop myself.
“Are you always this damn clumsy?” I asked, already moving toward the bathroom. My eyes rolled when I made it inside. This night was going exactly how I figured it would.
The vibes were off. When his mother followed me into the bathroom, I was even more convinced that this night was never meant to go well.
I was at the sink, blotting the fabric, when she appeared beside me with paper towels and a calm demeanor that shocked me. She hadn’t been cold during dinner, just too… too inquisitive. Considering how insufferable Ruben had been all night, I was surprised she had any patience left for me.
“Here. Let me help you.” She worked at the stain without making a production of it. “Bianca can be clumsy. Especially when she’s insecure.”
We stopped and looked at each other in the mirror.
“She’s had a crush on Ducane since middle school,” Dena said simply. “He likes you, though. A lot.” She tilted her head. “You’re a free spirit. I can see that. What are your plans after school, Skye? In life.” A pause. “With my son?”
“Would my plans for your son matter?”
She looked at me for a second, pity crossing her face.
“Probably not,” she said. “But I know my boy. He’ll give it his best. And it still won’t be enough.”
I looked down at the paper towels in my hands.
“I love him.”
She closed her eyes for a moment before opening them again.
“Oh, baby girl, I know you do.”
She paused.
