Page 47 of My Heart Belongs to You

Once Peyton left, I asked about the baby, which led us to talking about the shower. She and Ryder were so excited about becoming parents. I remembered wanting what she had so badly. Before I met Terrance, starting a family wasn't much of a priority for me. Then something switched and my goals were put on the back burner. I got caught up in the hype of being in a long-term relationship. The more people asked about our plans, the less I considered my goals. Hearing how Summer was able to still do hair three days a week, work at the club, and stay madly in love with Ryder had me wondering if I could have that one day.

“Anyway, enjoy your food. If I see Nadir before you do, I’ll let him know you’re here.”

“Thanks, Sunny,” I told her, pressing my cheek to hers when she leaned in for a side hug. “Don’t tell him I’m here.”

Her eyebrow hiked and a slow smirk spread across her face. “Why not?”

I lifted my shoulder, coyly replying, “I want to surprise him.”

CHAPTER

TEN

Ipushed out a sigh after reviewing the presentation on my computer.

I shouldn’t have to do this.

Stroking my uncle’s ego had never been my thing. He was a spoiled bitter man who refused to let go of the past. My father’s wants were plain, black and white. He wanted me to have Ray’s for a reason. Whether any of us agreed or understood why didn't matter, we had to respect it. I stopped questioning it a long time ago and Uncle Harold should’ve let it go too. Being a silent partner wasn’t enough for him. He needed to be involved in the everyday operations and figured combing through the financials, inventory, and employee performances would give him the control he desperately sought.

Every idea I had for the business, he challenged, often leaving my mom as the deciding factor.

Running my hand down my face, I pushed out a deep sigh. I checked the time on my computer and decided it wasn’t too late to call my mother.

“Hey baby,” was her greeting. I smiled instantly, feeling a little better than a few moments ago.

“Hey. You got a minute?”

“Of course I do. What’s on your mind?”

“Uncle Harold and this stupid meeting.”

She sighed. “When is he coming to town?”

“In two weeks. He wants to review everything from the last two quarters. We already talked about last year’s finances. I’m tired of him giving me busy work, like I don’t have a business to run.”

“I know, I know.” She was silent for a beat. “I’ll talk to him.”

“Come on, Ma. You know that’ll only make matters worse. I just need your ear is all.”

My uncle already saw me as a spoiled mama’s boy and her running to my defense would prove him right. I appreciated my mom always having my back. But I had to confront my uncle alone.

“I’m just trying to help, baby. But I know Harold’s stubborn ass wouldn’t listen anyway. This is why Rayford didn’t want his ass involved in the business. He’s a know-it-all, pain in the ass.”

“Whoa, lady,” I teased with a chuckle. Hearing my mom curse would always be comical to me. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

She laughed. “Sorry. I just had flashbacks of your dad and uncle fighting over Ray’s. You know your dad made him a silent partner just to appease your grandparents?”

“For real?” I sat up in my seat.

“Mhm. He is the spoiled mama’s boy he says you are. Rayford was awarded several business grants during Roseville’s first revitalization project. Your grandparents wanted Harold to apply too. The only reason he didn't was because he couldn’t come up with a business the community needed. Nightlife was nonexistent at that point. We had to go to D.C. or Baltimore for a night out. Ray’s came right on time.”

My eyebrows furrowed as I listened to my mother. My parents had never told me this story before. I knew about the business grants and remembered going to the ceremony when my dad accepted them. The picture was on the wall in my office. My eyes landed on it and I smiled.

“Anyway, the building needed more renovations than we thought. Your grandparents gave him the money on behalf of Harold. Their only condition was that Rayford had to make Harold a partner. It took a few weeks of negotiations and you can see how that turned out.”

“Did he challenge Dad like he does me?”

“Of course not. Harold knew better than to try Rayford.”