He took his time answering her. “I’m good. How you feeling?”
“Same…good. Excited about our weekend,” she said in an upbeat tone.
“We’re going to have fun.”
She wanted to believe him, but whatever was going wrong in his business was affecting him more than he realized. Nina just hadn’t found a good enough reason to bring it up because, as far as their relationship went, things were great. He was super intentional and more romantic than he’d ever been. Nina didn’t want to upset him by asking questions that shouldn’t havebeen any of her concern. But she could tell that something was bothering him and he couldn’t shake it.
He placed his hand palm-up on the console, silently asking for her hand. She slid it into his and he brought her fingers to his mouth and kissed them.
“We’re going to have a good weekend,” he reassured her.
The certainty in his voice sounded like he was making the decision for both of them and maybe even for God too.
“You sure?”
“Yes, I am, baby. Just be ready to meet the rest of my family,” he nodded.
“They know I’m coming?”
“I don’t know, but they know I got a real girlfriend.”
“You’ve had fake ones in the past?” she said with a chuckle.
“Nah, I think you’re my first real relationship. This is the most… locked in I’ve ever been.” Nina knew that ‘locked in’was code for committed. Jio had his own language that she had to adapt to.
“How do you feel about that?”
Jio looked over at her and licked his thick lips. “Blessed, baby.”
Nina couldn’t control the rising of her cheeks as she blushed.
“How many people am I meeting?”
He glanced at her. “A lot… a whole lot.”
“Like more than a hundred?”
“You want a number so you can overthink it?” He shook his head at her crazy self.
“If that’s what you want to call it then okay.” Nina shrugged carelessly.
“I know you not nervous.”
Nina didn’t say anything back, making him turn to give her a better look.
“What you worried about?” he questioned.
“I’m meeting your family; this is a big deal.”
He didn’t agree. “You’ve met all the important people already. This is like the Mob side.”
Nina freaked out. “Oh okay, yeah that’s helpful to know!” she said sarcastically.
“My family don’t love easy, but when they do, they don’t let go. You already in, whether you know it or not.”
His words settled over her quietly. Breaking up with your man was one thing, but losing his family was another.
“That’s dangerous,” she murmured.
