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When Marianne, Brittany, and Jonathan showed up, despite not seeing his siblings in over a year, there was nothing awkward about their greeting. And he realized how important that year was when he saw how much his nieces had grown and changed. His oldest niece, Marianne’s eight-year-old daughter, Sanem, was nearly Raina’s height—although it wasn’t a difficult feat to accomplish, being Raina’s height.
“Mari, Jay, and Britt-Brat, I want you all to meet my wif—girlfriend,Raina,” he introduced, walking them to the kitchen, and he knew he would be making that slip-up all night. “Raina, these are my siblings. How many fights have you gotten in this year, Britt?”
Brittany slapped his arm.
He pulled her into a partial chokehold to keep her in place as he kissed her hair. “It’s a valid question, Sugar Ray.”
They exchanged hugs, and like him, Sanem became near-instantly enamored with Raina. It was hard not to with an angel like his wife. He often found himself hard-pressed to believe what Delilah said, that there existed people with brains who thought Raina’s complexion detracted from her beauty.
Not to him.
Never to him.
Once everyone had arrived, they sat down to eat, and he did his best to keep his hands off Raina. Something about the atmosphere of family and good food made him want to touch her, kiss her, and be near her—constantly. It might have been the same for her because he rarely went more than a few minutes without her fingers brushing some part of his body.
They wore their rings, but not on their ring fingers, and it was a bit of a turn-on, that secret hidden in plain sight. Every once in a while, he sought out her hand and played with it, just to remind himself it was there.
Everyone’s diet was considered, including his brother, who didn’t eat pork, as Jay was the only one of the five who still practiced the Islamic faith. Raina’s family, as warm and loving and inviting as they were, set the tone for the evening, especially her brother, who was naturally funny and charismatic.
Then, although it was painfully apparent that Delilah’s friend, Oliver, was still interested in her, his long gazes and flirtatious smiles, all when Oliverthoughtno one was looking, didn’t alter the mood.
But one person did.
Raina’s Aunt Steffie.
“I don’t mean any disrespect, Lilah,” Stephanie began. “I just still don’t understand this. Did your mama teach you some of that African hoodoo-voodoo? Because you and Miguel do not make sense, niece.”
Mrs. Daniels whispered something to her husband, who was preoccupied with staring at Stephanie and shredding turkey with his teeth.
Stephanie turned her focus to Raina, and Lucas sat up straighter in his seat. Going after Delilah would get her injured. Going after Raina would get her killed.
“You’re looking gorgeous as ever, Raina,” Stephanie said. “Lord have mercy. I have never seen a more beautiful child. How long do you spend in the mirror? Can you imagine if God had given me your looks with my complexion?”
“God had no hand in creating you,” Raina deadpanned, chewing on a bread roll. “He gave your parts to the drunkest angel in heaven and said, ‘Do whatever.’”
Jay choked on a laugh.
Marianne covered a smile.
Stephanie chuckled. “Girl, you are too funny, but I see that you helped your sister. Lilah’s not pretty enough for Miguel, but she did get pretty. And I see that she grew some titties.”
“Mommy, what’s a ‘titties’?” Sanem asked.
Marianne whispered something in her ear and then kissed her cheek. Raina skewered her aunt with a look, and Lucas caught O.B.’s eye, silently asking him who the hell had invited this woman to dinner. O.B. silently responded that he had “fucking” no idea; the ire in O.B.’s eyes was so plain, he heard the curse.
Raina had made comments about her aunt in passing in the time since they moved in together, and she always used one word to describe her “Aunt Steffie.”
Messy.
Yet, her aunt continued to be invited to family functions, and Raina had shared that she had a feeling it had to do with her father feeling guilty about leaving his youngest stepsister out of events. However, someone would have to accept that Stephanie was more toxic than black mold at some point.
“Guel, O.B., are you glad to have today off?” Lucas asked, hoping to change the subject.
Miguel had a mouthful of food, so O.B. answered.
“Yes, yes, yes. I can’t tell you how nice it is to be able to sit down with family and relax my bones.”
Sanem’s eyes lit up. “You play a sport, O.B.?”
