“There he is,” she said quietly. “I’m proud of you. I mean that. The Mudd case, the firm, all of it. But this right here.” Another breath. “This is what I’m most proud of.”
I didn’t say anything because there wasn’t much to say.
“She and I will meet again,” my mother said with certainty. “So help it along when you can.”
“I will.”
“Good. Now go enjoy your vacation. And Cane?”
“Yeah.”
“Love you, baby. You earned every good thing coming to you.”
“Love you too, Ma.”
I hung up and stood there for a second with the phone in my hand. Then I put it down, touched the ring in my pocket one more time, and went to find the love of my life.
Skye was already on the deck when I came out, standing at the railing with her back to me. Burnt-orange tiger-print dress, off-the-shoulder, split up the thigh. Her hair was in curly ponytail, her favorite way to wear it.
I put my hands in my pockets because it was that or grab her ass and cancel dinner.
“You never miss,” I said. “Turn around and let me see you.”
She turned around with a wide smile. The gold that adorned her body made it hard to breathe. Earrings, rings, necklaces, bracelets. Her mahogany skin sparkled. She was radiant.
“Neither do you, Sugar Cane.”
“You good?”
“Yeah.” She looked back at the water. “I’m really good, actually. Considering.”
“Considering what?”
The look on her face stressed me for a second. She handed me her phone and I read the headlines.
Defense Attorney Ducane Simmons Spotted Cozying Up To Mystery Woman In Infinity Island While Ex-Fiancée Bianca Speaks Out.
Bianca Claims Simmons Was Emotionally Checked Out For Years — Sources Say He’s Already Moved On.
Who Is The Flight Attendant Turning Heads With High-Profile Attorney Ducane Simmons?
I looked up from the phone.
“You upset?”
She took the phone back and set it on the railing face down.
“No.” She said it with conviction. “I’m really not.” She looked at me. “This is just new. We’re just new. Again.”
I looked at her.
“And the shit with Bianca?”
“Nobody can tell me anything about your character, Ducane. I know who you are. And Bianca knows not to fuck with me. I saw her once, you know.”
“No, I didn’t know that. You’re just full of secrets, huh?”
She laughed and shrugged. “On a flight. She just had to show me that ugly ass ring you bought her. I laughed in her face and told her to enjoy her time and send me an invite.”
