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I hadn’t thought about how my run-in with the crazy reporters might have affected Eddie. He looks at me like a little sister, and he’s probably upset that this is happening.
“Your family is good to me,” I admit. “And so are you.”
I shouldn’t be, but I feel saddened at this admission. It’s not that I’m sad to be treated good by my fiancé and his family. I’m happy to have a bonus family. I can’t help but admit I’mblessed to have Wayne’s mother and godmother to fill in some of the void from being estranged from my parents. His brother acts like the big brother I never had. However, I long for a good relationship with my parents.
“As long as I’m around, I won’t allow you to be mistreated by anyone,” Wayne interrupts my thoughts.
I follow him out of our bedroom, fully understanding that I’m safe and protected by this man. If my parents take the time to get to know him, they will appreciate that too.
We leave home and head to his mother’s house.
On the drive over, I don’t notice anything out of place. It doesn’t seem we’re being followed, but after this morning, I can’t help but be a bit paranoid. I will never put anything past the paparazzi.
We pull up to his mother’s modest brick home a few minutes before six. Wayne kisses me before we get out of the car, and I have never felt as hopelessly in love with anyone as I am now. He has been layering on love all day.
"You sure you don't want to go back home and see if I can turn into a tube of lipstick that you wrap your lips around?" he playfully suggests.
I chuckle, enjoying his playful banter. "We're here now," I reply, glancing down at our matching outfits, "plus we're already dressed up. Might as well let other people see them."
His gaze follows mine, and he sighs, realizing the inevitability of the situation. "Guess we have to go in," he concedes with a smile.
He comes around to my side and opens the door. Hand in hand, we walk towards the porch where his mom is waiting. Despite the media incident earlier, being with him now feels like a breath of fresh air. He lets go of my hand and pulls his mother in for a bear hug when we reach the porch.
“Hi, Mom.”
“Hello, Wayne,” she says, then reaches for me. I feel a sense of comfort and reassurance when Louise gathers me into her arms. “Those freaking vultures came after you today, and I’m so sorry about it. I don’t want you to let one word they say get to you,” Louise says, glancing me over to ensure I digest what she’s saying.
I nod. “I won’t.”
“I mean it, Leslie. Those people will do anything for attention. They will absorb every part of you until what they’re saying is all you can think of. Don’t give that power to them.” She pulls me back to her for another hug.
I squeeze her back. “Wayne and I talked about it, and I won’t let them get to me.” Even though I know it’s easier said than done, having a good support system feels good. I wish love like this flowed as easily from my mother and father.
Louise has a pep in her step as she pulls me behind her. “Good. My son will take care of you, and I will pick up any slack. Let’s go check out this good food Marjorie has for us.”
In the dining room, I find Jasmine and Eddie sitting uncharacteristically close. I expected to see Jeremiah there as her plus-one. Instead, she and Eddie are engaged in a deep conversation as if they are the only two in the room.
They have interacted before, but I’m confused when she reaches up and touches his beard to remove a crumb from the cracker he’d eaten. When did Jasmine start removing crackers from men’s beards? She doesn’t relinquish any of her attention from him to give to Wayne and me, even though we’ve just entered the room. She’s fully committed to her talk with Eddie and keeping his beard clean since now she’s rubbing it as if she’s checking for more crumbs.What in the world is going on?
“We made a little something for you too,” Marjorie draws my attention from my sister. She’s beaming with pride and pointing at the food table.
There’s a table of finger foods and desserts. Beside it is a small setup with a cake in the shape of a football with a set of pompoms coming off of it to represent Wayne and Jasmine’s accomplishments. We were told the party was for Jasmine, but it’s not surprising Wayne’s playoff accomplishments are celebrated. However, I didn’t expect anything for myself. My eyes land on a tower of twelve cupcakes in the shape of a camera.
“Congratulations on getting signed to be a photographer for the Saints,” Louise beams.
“Oh, wow. Thank you so much! I don’t know what to say. I wasn’t expecting anything like this.”
Louise touches my hand. “I know you didn't think we would forget about what you’ve been up to.”
Marjorie gives me a warm smile. “That’s right. Congratulations on your new job.”
Wayne slides an arm around my waist. “Congrats, babe. You’re going to be the best photographer the Saints have ever had. The pictures you took of the team turned out great.”
“Thank you, Wayne.”
He beams with pride. “You deserve it, baby.”
I point at the cupcakes and ask Wayne, “You knew about this?”
