Page 53 of 1001 Dark Nights: Bundle Forty-Two

Actually I didhave to convince myself to come. Seeing Naz changed everything. There’s stillsomething magnetic between us, striking sudden and sure the same way it did thenight he walked into my mama’s house on the eve of the big game. Loyalty to mybrother, concern for his fragile recovery urged me to make my excuses, hightailit back to my studio apartment, and forget the random encounter with the manCliff hates more than anyone else.

Yet here I am, planted by the pool and scanning the crowdfor a glimpse of the towering man with intense eyes and a fresh haircut.

“I wanted you to meet my cousin Iris,” Lotus says, tuggingforward a woman I’ve seen many times with her famous baller husband, AugustWest.

“Thank you for helping out today,” Iris says, her voice lowand even. There’s a tough kind of serenity to her. Lotus’s strength and powerare so much a part of her it seems she was born into them. Iris, with her verypublic battle as a survivor, won her strength by walking through hell andcoming out the other side whole.

“I loved every minute of it,” I reply to Iris. “I hopeHarbor House got everything they needed.”

Excitement brightens Iris’s eyes, and she smiles so wide,it’s easy to see why her husband is notoriously devoted to her. Convictionmakes her glow even more.

“We passed our goal, yes,” she says. “Thanks for asking. Youlive here in LA?”

“I do now,” I say. “Relocated from New York a while back towork on a movie and ended up staying on the West Coast.”

“The Dessi Blue movie,” Lotus pipes up.

“I can’t wait for that one,” Iris says, curiosity reshapingher expression. “So were you born in New York?”

“Oh, no. I was born in Trinidad, but my parents moved us toHouston when I was still a baby.”

“You ever go back?” Catalina asks.

“All dee time, gyal,” I say,slipping on my mother’s accent like a pair of familiar slippers. “My sisterJanice and I go to Carnival every chance we get.”

“I’ve been a few times,” Lotus says. “I actuallywant to name my summer line Carnival, inspired by the vibrant colors andthe flamboyant costumes. I’ve already sketched out a few things and talked tomy team about maybe shooting the campaign in Trinidad.”

“Are you kidding?” I gasp. “Thatwould be amazing. Maybe you could even connect with the tourist board. They’dlove that kind of exposure with a brand as popular as yours.”

“You think?” Lotus asks, eyes wide.

“I’m sure.”

“It’ll have to wait until this little guy pops out,” Lotussays, touching her belly with obvious tenderness.

“It’s a boy?” I ask.

“Yes.” She rolls her eyes. “Can’t tell Kenan nothing. He hasa girl, my stepdaughter, Simone, from his first marriage. He would have beenhappy no matter what, but getting a boy? Yeah, he’s over the moon.”

“August was the same way,” Iris says, kicking off her shoesand sitting on the edge of the pool.

“How many kids do you have?” I askher.

“Two.” She lowers her feet into the water. “But some days itfeels like twelve. August is amazing when he’s home, but he’s gone so muchduring the season. We have onsite daycare at my job for Michael. He startskindergarten next year and Sarai’s already in elementary school, but it’s stilla lot solo.”

“Can’t say I miss Kenan being on the road half the year,”Lotus says.

“I thought August would sink into a depression when Kenanleft,” Iris says. “Thank God they brought Naz in.”

“That reminds me.” Lotus turns inquisitive eyes my way. “Howdid you say you and Nazareth know each other, Takira?”

The sudden silence encompasses our lounging circle, swellingwith the three women’s collective curiosity.

“Oh, yeah, well.” I stall, staring into my now-empty glass.“He and my brother played ball together in high school. We haven’t seen eachother in years.”

“He seemed mighty glad to ‘see’ you.” Catalina snickers.

I shoot her a sharp look but don’t say anything.