She nodded. “I’ll try.”
I nipped her chin, then kissed her. “Try hard.”
Smirking, she said, “I’ll try really hard tonight.”
“At the cooking class?”
“And after the class.” She batted her lashes. “Now, can we go?” She stood up.
Smacking her ass, I said, “Let’s go.”
We were very lateto the cooking class. Duke was in the middle of his presentation on the different types of pasta when we finally took our seats. Most of her siblings were there. Even Paityn and her husband, via Zoom.
Luckily, Blake knew how to cook, because we were able to jump in without missing a beat. By the time we were done, we’d prepared strip steak with a white wine sauce, potato gnocchi with basil pesto, an arugula salad with homemade dressing, and mint chocolate gelato.
Now, we were all seated around a large table. Conversation was lively and indicative of the close bond Blake and her siblings had with each other. I felt at home with them and appreciated how welcoming they were.
“Stop. My steak is just fine,” Dallas argued.
“If you like charred food,” Dexter retorted. “And runny gelato.”
Dallas tossed a piece of bread his way. “Shut up. You just worry about yournot-done steak and your bitter lemon-parmesan dressing.”
“Mine is tasty,” Paityn announced.
Everyone’s attention flew to the television screen. “That’s because you’re a mini-chef yourself,” Asa murmured, stabbing at his steak with his fork. “Not all of us are talented in the kitchen, big sis.”
Jace and Bliss were huddled together, cracking up about something in private when Duke asked, “What the hell are y’all kee-kee’ing about?”
Blake elbowed me. “I’m so glad he showed up,” she whispered, eyeing the scene as Duke and Bliss went back and forth with each other about minding one’s own business.
I sipped my drink. “I told you he would.”
Jace had never bothered to hide how he felt about Bliss to me. In fact, it appeared everyone knew except for Bliss. Yet, no one had mentioned it to my knowledge.
“What are you whispering about?” Dallas dipped her fork in Blake’s plate and stole a piece of her steak.
Blake smacked her hand. “Don’t touch my food, heffa. And stop worrying about what we’re talking about and pay attention toyourdate.”
Shrugging, Dallas said, “Your steak is pretty, and Preston is not my damn date. He’s filling in that friend spot while Cooper is falling in love and shit down in Rosewood Heights.”
“Friends, huh?” Blake asked.
“Yeah. Like you and Lennox. Right?” Dallas arched a brow.
The entire table went silent. Suddenly, all eyes were on us. I glanced at Blake, who was conveniently gulping down her wine. She finally set her glass down and said, “Lennox and I are more than friends.”
“More than friends?” Duke asked. “Care to elaborate?”
“No, nigga,” Blake growled. “I said what I said.”
“Really?” I asked.
Blake sighed. “He’s my man, okay?” she announced. “Eat.” Without warning, she kissed me. “I told you I’d try.”
I laughed. “Good job.”
“Are you happy?”
