“You okay?”
He walked over without answering. He pulled the flowers from behind his back and placed them onto the vanity.
Nina was surprised. “These are beautiful, thank you baby.”
“For you, my Queen,” he said in his best European accent.
“I am SO excited for tonight! Ephrem has called me a hundred times. He’s been dressed since this morning.”
He forced a laugh that didn’t quite reach his eyes. Nina studied him carefully and there was something off about him tonight. His jaws were locked and his shoulders wouldn’t loosen. His eyes were heavy but she knew he wasn’t about to cry.
“Tell me what’s wrong and don’t say it’s nothing.” she asked quietly.
Jio sighed. “I don’t think I’m gonna make the play.”
The room became impossibly still. Her glow went away, although her cheeks were still baking from concealer and finishing powder.
Nina looked from his face to the suit hanging in the garment bag he’d brought upstairs. He had a fresh haircut. He stopped to get flowers…. whatever was happening wasn’t up to him….
“Is it an emergency?” she questioned.
He nodded. “A major one.”
She walked over until she stood directly in front of him. “Go handle your business then.”
His eyes met hers. “I don’t want to though,” he admitted painfully.
“I know baby.” She hugged him at his waist.
“A nigga was looking forward to tonight,” he swore.
“I just know Ephrem is about to be talking shit.”
“He’s definitely going to do that.”
Jio kissed her forehead. “I hate letting you down.”
Nina reached up for a kiss.
“You never do,” she reassured him.
His brows pulled together as she shook her head gently. “You kept your promise.”
“What was that?”
“The one you made when we decided to start fresh.”
He looked at her.
“You told me you'd never lie to me again….”
She rested her hand against his chest. “And you’re not.”
It wasn’t that Nina stopped caring, but she’d finally learned the difference between concern and control. Most importantly, she trusted her man.
The weight he’d been carrying all the way upstairs finally eased enough for him to breathe.
“I’m sorry baby, you know I’m going to make it up to you.”
