Page 91 of 1001 Dark Nights: Bundle Forty-Two

It’s everything I had become too jaded to believe in or hopefor.

Only one spot has marred such a perfect start.

I still haven’t told Cliff. Or my parents, for that matter.Of course, Janice knows, and keeps urging me to tell them. She says ripthe Band-Aid off. It’s a point of contention between Naz and me, sowe don’t talk about it much. He’s not going anywhere, and I don’t want him to.But at some point, I’ll have to tell Cliff. He’s just doing so well with hisjob, with his kids, with his life. Better than he’s been in a long time. If Idid anything to hurt that, I’d never forgive myself. I’m not giving up Naz, though.My love for my brother and my…feelings for Naz are on a collisioncourse.

It's too soon to say love.

Right?

I don’t know that I’ve ever actually been in love before,but if it feels any deeper, any richer than this—if it moves you more—I may notbe able to stand it.

I check the mirror propped against the wall in my bedroom.

Damn,I look good.

It’s not just the silk dress that clings to all my curvesfrom breast to thigh and then ends with a flare of tulle above my knees. Or theperilously high heels that tie up in straps around my calves. With my braidsgone, I’ve styled my natural hair into a frothy halo of textured waves andcurls. To garnish the sexy image, my diamond T charm glints against thelingering tan of my throat. I’m putting the finishing touches on my lipstickwhen the phone rings again. I grab it and glance at the screen.

Mama.

My heart seizes a little every time I see her name onscreen. I know it’s ridiculous, but I flash back to thenight she called screaming and crying so much I couldn’t understand a word shesaid. And once I did understand, the horror of what had happened to Cliff… I’llnever forget that. I shake off the memory and answer.

“Hey, Mama.”

“Tee, hey, baby. How you?”

Some of the leftover tension drains from my shoulders as heraccent breezes over me, stronger today, as it often is after she talks with anyof our family still living in Trinidad.

“I’m good. How you?”

“Fine. You talk to Neecey?”

“We texted yesterday.” I sit on the edge of my bed andadmire how the white polish on my toes looks with my tan. “Everything okay?”

“I just got off the phone with her not too long ago.” Abrief pause breaks the flow of Mama’s words. “You heard about that retirementthing they’re doing for Coach Lipton?”

I draw in a deep breath and blow it out before answering. “Iheard something about it, yeah.”

“They’ve asked Cliff to say a few words.”

“That’s good. He loves Coach and Coach loves him—has beenthere for him through everything.”

“True. I just worry. He’s been doing so good, and I don’twant no setbacks, ya know?”

“Of course. He’ll be fine, don’t you think?”

“Praying, but I thought it might be good if you and Janicemaybe come home to visit? Support him?”

“Oh.” It’s all I can manage for a second.

“Janice isn’t sure she’ll be able to get away. She’schecking. If you’re busy, I understand, but I heard Nazareth is attending, too,and you know how that boy sets Cliff off.”

Hearing Naz’s name from her jars me, and for a moment, it’slike a glitch—something in the wrong place and time. Images of Naz I’vecollected over the last month fill my mind. Himleaning against the rail on the yacht, his smile wide and blinding. Laughing,holding my hand as we explored the streets of Positano. His stern featuressoftened in the waning light of the villa’s garden surrounded by lemon andolive trees. And all of our dates since we’ve beenback in LA.

Not telling her about Naz feels like a betrayal to all heand I have shared.

“Mama,” I say, my voice coming out stronger than I thoughtit would. “There’s something I need to tell you.”

“Out wit’ it, Tee.”