“Of course. But you know how people talk. Tomorrow, the whole city will think we’ve been fucking around for years.”
“Anyone who knows us, will know that’s not true.”
She wrapped her arms around my waist. “I know I shouldn’t care what people think, but I do.”
“I get it. So how about this? You walk in the front door, and I’ll go through the back.”
“You would do that for me?”
I lifted her chin with my forefinger. “Do you even have to ask?”
Grinning, she pressed her mouth to mine. “I?—”
“Ooo!”
Our gazes snap toward the door where the bride- and groom-to-be stood.
“I’m telling,” Sloane teased, a mischievous smirk on her face. “Wait ’til Courtney hears about this.” She waved at me. “Hi, Uncle Spence.” Then, she bolted inside.
Laiya cursed. “Sloane, wait. Shit.” She rushed into the building after her cousin.
Inside the lounge, I peeped Alaiya dragging Sloane toward the back of the bar. Chuckling to myself, I said, “Never a dull moment.”
“What’s up?” Maddox approached me and gave me a dap. “You made it.”
“Wouldn’t miss it,” I told him.
He raised a questioning brow. “Really?”
Ignoring him, I clasped his shoulder and squeezed. “Congrats, nephew. I’m happy for you. I know it’s been tough the last few years.”
He smiled. “Yeah, but Sloane makes everything better. Listen, Unc, I was going to ask you … I would love it if you were my best man.”
Maddox was conceived when my brother, Ryan, and his wife were separated. Growing up, he’d struggled to find his place in the family. I’d experienced the same feelings because of the age gap between me and my siblings and made it a point to reach out to him, to make myself available if he needed me. Even though he grew up on the East Coast with his mother, we’d maintained a close bond. I was extremely happy that he’d finally found someone. To hear that he wanted me to stand up with him was an honor.
“What about Ryker?” I asked.
“According to Sloane, Keon bought Taylar a ring. I figured I’d let him off the hook for this wedding. He’ll still be a groomsman, though.”
I nodded. “Ah, gotcha.” I couldn’t help but be proud that I got to watch my nieces and nephews come into their own,that I was able to witness them realize their dreams. “Whatever you need, nephew. I’m there.”
Maddox smiled, giving me a quick hug. “Thanks, Unc. Appreciate it.”
Several minutes later, we stepped into the building. The place was jam packed with people. Which wasn’t surprising since Sloane and Maddox came from pretty big extended families. There were Youngs and Crosses everywhere. But my eyes were fixated on one person.
Alaiya was seated near the bar. She was talking to her aunt and uncle, Vicki and Stew Young. The smile on her face told me she was more at ease than she was outside, so I stopped to talk to my siblings. Life was busy for all of us, and it was rare that we were in the same place at the same time. But when we saw each other, it was all love. I would’ve sat with them a while longer if Sabrina hadn’t attempted to introduce me to her single friend.
Excusing myself, I made a beeline toward Laiya. On my way to her, I chopped it up with several people who I hadn’t seen in years, dodged a distant cousin who’d sent me a business proposal the other day, and another woman who’d requested a meeting to discuss one of the properties that I’d already told her I wasn’t willing to sell. Near the buffet, I noticed Sloan, Courtney, and Vicki’s daughters exchanging knowing glances at each other.
I guess Sloane made good on her threat.
Someone tapped my shoulder, and I turned to find Des standing behind me, a tentative smile on her face. “What’s up, Des?”
She shrugged. “Hey, Mr. Spence. Got a minute?”
“Sure.” After Des walked in on me kissing Laiya, she’d pretty much avoided me at work. And I didn’t push. “You okay?”
“I will be. I just wanted to say … I’m my mom’s person. And she’s mine. She is very important to me.”
