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Ezra’s eyes darkened on his wife when he qualified, “My calling isn’t exactly work, dear.” He palmed her elbow, a small act of endearment. “Speaking of which,” Ezra turned to us. “I’m glad you’re here, Shi-Shi. I’ve hated it’s taken this long to see you again.”
“Me, too.” The moment turned awkward instantly. Jas’ nudge at the back of my thigh provided the push I needed. “Can I say how sorry I am? My coldness toward you that night atDiFillippo’swas a showing of my insecurity. It’s been a really rough year for me, much of it regarding my family. I feel like you caught a bit of it that night. I was totally out of line for involving the girls. You know I adore your babies.”
The wryest smile hit Lex’s face, her matte lips perfectly lined. “I hate that we even have to do this. I really, really wanna put this behind us.”
Behind me, Jas snickered. I glanced up to see him trying to cover his mouth. “What is wrong with you?”
“Lex got her ass handed to her,” he murmured loud enough for them to hear as his eyes bounced around the courtyard.
“Oh, that’s what we doing, Sin?” Lex challenged.
“Let me just say this.” Ezra shifted around Lex, drawing closer to Jas and me. “I cannot apologize for my wife, but I can tell you, as the head shepherd of my church, I rarely involve myself in match-making. It’s something I had to emphasize to my beloved, especially after her attempt with Jas here. I apologize if it made you feel ostracized.”
“No.” I shook my head, rolling my eyes. “It’s okay. I get it. Lex and Jas go back as friends. She was only looking out for him.”
“But my timing was off. I wasn’t viewing the situation through spiritual lenses,” Lex tried to explain.
“What does spirituality have to do with trying to hook your boy up?” I scoffed.
“My beloved has an eye to view things outside of the flesh. Let me make it clear, I would have never, and did not sanction the pairing. Why? Because I knew, spiritually, Jas here was not available to another woman. His heart—his spirit—was already tied to one.”
A chill coursed my spine at the authority in his declaration.
“Shit,” behind me, Jas whispered. I glanced up to find him scratching his forehead distractingly.
“Furthermore, when and if Mr. Ojasvi were to address his ties with said woman, it would—will—leave a mess for my leaders to clean,” Ezra expounded. “Shi-Shi, would you care to take a guess at who will be suited with a broom and mop once the dust settles?”
Lex’s eyes rolled up to him, nostrils flared. “I’m saying, honey, we don’t know what will be. This nigga playing lame duck right now.”
“Alexis,” Ezra’s subterranean growl had my brows shooting up.
“Yeah. Chill, Lex,” Jas warned, ironically not findingthatfunny.
Lex rolled her eyes, exhaling as she shifted weight on her legs. “Look, Shi-Shi, I’m sorry. I messed up. I’m still learning and growing. I promise, what I did had nothing against you. My husband’s right: it was a premature move, and totally inappropriate. As you can see, Sin and I act like we’re kids still in Harlem. I’m sorry for my encroachment on your family. I was out of line.”
I winked at her. “Thanks for that. And you’re right: he is a lame duck.” I referred to Jas still dating Josie. “But it’s all good: I’m getting married here atElliswoods Palace, girl!” I danced on my toes.
I’d never seen Ezra fight back amusement in my life. Lex took it, though. She howled back in laughter at my pitiful attempt at hope. Iwouldbegetting married on this estate: I was simply unsure of the suitor.
Grumbling, Jas instructed me to take my seat. The ceremony began seconds after Lex planted herself in the chair next to me and squeezed my hand from under the table. Moved by her meekness, I pivoted in my chair and pulled her in for a hug.
The program opened with R&B god, Ragee, taking the slightly elevated stage with none other than Young Lord on the baby grand piano. What a sight!
As Young curled over the keys B-Boy-style in his signature all-black, he played a seamless melody. Raj’s gritty timber explained into the microphone, “When you lose a bet to your boy and have to flex the piano skills, he coached you on in front of an audience.” A resounding titter cracked the air above us. “Yeah…” Raj rocked the pole of the microphone stand. “…the best emcee of the decade is going to serenade us tonight. Leggo.”
As we continued laughing, Lord, shaking his head, switched melodies. Then Raj began his rendition of Luther Vandross’ “A House is Not a Home.”
With my right hand, I reached for Jas’ and squeezed. When he peered up from our joined fists, I mouthed, “We’re good.” I felt he should have had that confidence after a tough conversation with his pastor about our messy life together. It was important to me that he knew he had my grace. The man met and proposed to me four years ago, then for the second time months later. In the three years we’d had our daughter, the man hadn’t dated anyone. Now that he’d put himself out there with another woman, I had to apply patience. Ojasvi Lamont Sinclair was the embodiment of patience when it came to me. I’d wait until he decided. “I promise.”
He brought my fist to his mouth and kissed me with sweet understanding.
“You’re walking in now?” Josie yawned into the phone as I let myself into the house from the garage.
“Yup.” I blinked my dry eyes.
“I wish I was going home. Get right in my bed and fall out.” I could hear the exhaustion in her voice. She worked two jobs, and today was one of the longest days of her week.
“I feel you, shortie, but you’ll get there.”
