Page 33 of Sun Kissed Moments

Dane held his hand out to calm me down. “Hol’ up. No yellin’ at ya mama, now.”

I looked at him cross-eyed. He’d just got done acting a fool, and now he was telling me to calm down. Then again, this was a man who sorely missed his own mama and spoke highly of her. In a sense, he had a soft spot for mothers.

“Listen, Claire, I understand, aight. You only want the best for ya daughter, and I admire that. If my mama was alive, she'd tell you that I am what's best for Justina. I was in another country, sick as hell that I couldn't hear my woman's voice. It wasn't nothing for me to walk away from a major deal to get back to Justina. You proved what I've always known about her. She's my everything."

Dane glanced at me, and I could see love shining through his eyes.

“I’m sorry to both of you,” my mama replied. “Will you forgive me?”

Dane shrugged. “What you willin’ to barter for my forgiveness?” Mama sputtered, so Dane added, “You gon' to step aside and let me lead my woman? You gon’ to let me be the one who worries over her, dotes on her, loves her enough for several lifetimes? You willin’ to help my sister plan a wedding?”

Mama and I gasped.

A soft smile covered my mama’s red-stained lips. “Before I agree, I want to make another confession,” Mama said. “Might as well come completely clean.”

Dane and I peered at her expectantly. It couldn’t be worse than what she’d already done.

“I’m the reason Kady was on your plane,” she confessed.

My eyes bulged in disbelief.

“Kady was the one who told me about you two. She called me while you were still at Onyx Cove Resort,” she revealed. “When I found out you were leaving the country, I called Kady’s team and put in a favor. All I needed was proof that Kady boarded that jet with you, Dane. To Justina, the imagery would be damning, and the media would do the rest.”

Disappointed, I eyed my mama like she was a stranger. She’d always been overbearing, but she’d gone too far.

“You have to forgive me, Justina. I thought Dane was out to break your heart, and I didn’t want that. Before anything, you’re my daughter. I’m sorry I let my own misgivings and personal issues cloud my judgment concerning you and Dane. I won’t ever interfere again.”

“That’s a lie,” Dane uttered. “You will try to interfere, but just know, you gon’ always face pushback. Justina knows whose hands she’s in, and over time, you’ll know too.”

Dane handled my mama both sternly and gently. Because of that, I knew without a doubt that he was where I belonged. There was no one else in this world for me.

“Now, where’s my son?” Dane questioned.

Laughing, I said, “He’s in his room down the hall.”

With that, Dane kissed my lips, then left my room in search of DJ. That left me alone with my mama.

“Ma, you’ve protected me all my life. You’ve been by my side and walked me through an industry that would’ve eaten me alive if it weren’t for you. I’ll forever love you for being not only a great mother, but an exceptional manager.”

Mama’s eyes teared up as I hugged her. For the first time in a long time, our embrace didn’t seem awkward or forced.

“I hate that I allowed my relationship with your father to spill over into our relationship. It was my decision to stay with your father. The weight of my decisions shouldn’t be taken out on you or your love life. I promise to do better.”

“That would be nice, Mom.” I wouldn’t be hard on her when it came to my dad. Just like I wanted her to stay out of my business, I had to stay out of hers. Their battle wasn’t mine to fight, but I hoped she found some peace soon.

“Did I hear Dane correctly? We’re planning a wedding?” she asked. I could see the wheels spinning in her head.

“Uhm, not until he gets on one knee, Mama.

She tsked and waved me off. “I forgot who I’m talking to. You and your hopeless romantic behavior.” She sighed as I chuckled. “Well, it worked out for you, and I’m happy for you.”

Hearing my mama admit she was happy for me, where a man was concerned, was the icing on the cake for my evening. I got my man back, and my mama wasn’t scraping her ass across the pavement with anger.

Atlanta, GA

I flew back to London, inked a deal with UMR, then got my ass back home. I’d been making moves to ensure Justina’s album release party was top-notch. Although her mama had a team planning everything, I swiftly moved in and took over. My team worked diligently to bring together a party that Justina would never forget.

We settled on moving to Pensacola, and I’d gotten the ball rolling with that too. Her mama would keep Justina’s Miami house, and Justina would visit whenever she wanted. Otherwise, she and I were happily making Pensacola our home.