Jio held up one hand without looking at her. “Chill.” He flashed her a grin so cold and deadly.
“It’s all good,” he said. “My future mother-in-law was just leaving.”
The words landed like a bomb, capturing Nina’s breath as her mama’s eyes widened in horror, and his family shared a laugh at her expense.
Jio looked at Nina, and without a question, he was asking her to choose. Nina hated that her heart reacted before her mind could because it wasn’t up for debate and her mama knew it too.
Her mother eyed her like she finally understood the depth of the problem, and it pained her to witness. Nina wasn’t trapped at all. It was obvious that she’d chosen whose side she was on.
Jacqueline adjusted her coat with trembling hands as she tried her best to recover her dignity.
“This is not over.”
Jio stepped aside smoothly.
“I’m sure it’s not,” he said quietly.
Jackie walked toward the door but stopped beside Nina.
For a second, she looked like she might say something motherly that could possibly erase everything that had just taken place.
Instead, she whispered, “You are losing yourself.”
Why would Nina ever expect anything positive from the lady who brought her into the world? She had to work on managing her expectations.
She left without another word. The bell above the bakery door jingled softly behind her.
Nina stood there feeling like something invisible had cracked wide open. No one moved or said a word until Jio told his folks, “Put the guns up. Flip the sign to open. We got money to make.”
Jio turned to his auntie.
“Put that away.”
She muttered something under her breath but did as he said.
Cairo shifted awkwardly, still holding shopping bags.
“I’m sorry this happened,” he said to Nina.
Nina turned to him. “Don’t be.”
Jio’s eyes moved to the bags.
“You got some good stuff?”
Cairo looked surprised by the shift.
“Yeah.”
“I’ll check it out later. Welcome to the city.” Jio dapped him up.
Auntie Vee approached Nina with a small saucer in her hands. There was no pity on her face, only recognition.
“Baby,” she said gently, “Would you like some cake?”
The question was so absurd after everything that had just taken place that Nina didn’t know if she wanted to laugh or cry.
Instead, she nodded. “Yes ma’am, thank you.”
