“I don’t have a crush,” I said. “But Ezra’s cousin is very handsome.”
“That he is,” Lily murmured, cutting her wide eyes at me. “He has eyes for you too. Been watching you all afternoon.” I bit down on my lip to hide my smile. Before they could go on, I changed subjects.
“Where’s Devin?” She frowned.
“I don’t know. He hasn’t been answering my texts since Tuesday.”
“Did you two have an argument?” Lilac asked, leaning into the table.
“No, we’ve been fine.” I stared at her and shook my head. “What, Blossom?”
“Maybe he isn’t answering because he’s tired of not having you in the way that he wants.”
“Or because he has a lot going on right now,” Magnolia said. We all looked at her, but she didn’t elaborate. “My advice would be to check up on him the same way he did with you.”
“So, that means he isn’t coming?” she asked.
“He isn’t,” Magnolia confirmed. “He dropped off his gifts to us last night.”
“And you aren’t going to tell me what’s going on with him? You know, as a heads up.”
“I’m not, and neither will Lennox. One, it’s not my place. And two, Lennox’s loyalty lies with Devin.”
“I understand,” Lily whispered. She picked up her phone and then stood. “You won’t be mad if I— “
“I sure won’t. He needs someone right now, and I’m sure he’d like it to be you.”
After Lily kissed us all goodbye, we watched her leave.
“Is Devin, OK?” I asked. Magnolia smiled.
“He’s fine,” she said nonchalantly. “His nephew's birthday party is today, and you know family comes first.” My eyes widened, and Lilac giggled.
“You little...”
“Someone has to push the girl.”
“I agree,” Daisy said. “It’s either she sees what’s right in front of her, or eventually, it’ll disappear.”
“He’s close to disappearing,” Magnolia said, shaking her head. And with that, we moved on to another topic. Time seemed to fly by, and then Lilac announced that it was time to eat.
“Elders first,” Ezra yelled.
“Boy, sit down somewhere,” his mother yelled back. She was sitting with Aunt Lori, Lennox’s parents, and Samuel—Elijah and Elena’s father. Their father had spent ten plus years in prison after being convicted of a murder he didn’t commit. The story behind what really happened is sad, but he got a second chance, and I was happy that they both had their father back.
“Does our Aunt seem like she’s really into everything Samuel is saying, or am I tripping?” I asked once I was back at the table with my plate. Daisy was mid-chew when she looked up, her eyes darting over to the table they occupied. Magnolia, Lilac, and Juniper—who joined us after being attached to Brandon most of the afternoon—all did the same. Lori was nodding slowly as Samuel talked to her, moving his hands around in the same way Elijah did when he was talking about something he’s passionate about. He was truly his father’s son, from mannerisms to features.
“So, I’m not the only one who noticed,” Elena said, plopping down next to me.
“Nope, they seem to be getting along just fine,” I replied.
“I was worried about him for a minute.”
“Why?” Juniper asked. She shrugged and sighed.
“He’s been so quiet and to himself since getting out. I thought maybe he was having a hard time adjusting to New York, but maybe he’s OK.”
I glanced at him and my aunt again and then said, “Yeah, I think he’s fine. It’s only been a few weeks. It’ll take time to get out of that jail mindset.” The girls began to add on to what I’d said, but my attention had moved elsewhere. Roman’s back was to me, but I still found myself staring. Wondering. As if he’d felt my eyes on him, he turned. Our gazes briefly met, and then I looked away. I was itching to go pull him to the side so we could talk a little more but chose not to. Now wasn’t the time, but I would find the right time. And it will be before this day is over.
4
S he had an exotic look. Not what society says ‘exotic’ women look like. In my eyes, black women are superior. They are exactly what every other race wants to mimic. The lips, the ass... flawless skin. Black women are the definition of exotic. Blossom Baker was the definition of exotic. She’d caught my attention as soon as I pulled into the driveway. Actually, her hair caught my attention. She had a lot of it, and the mane covered her face. I knew she was beautiful before she looked up and focused her attention on my truck. It was all in her body language. She was poised and confident. After being formally introduced, I was more than OK with my cousin inviting me to a baby shower.
The afternoon seemed to fly by, and when I finally got a chance to sneak away from Ezra, I found my way to Blossom. She was sitting by herself, staring down at her phone with a smile on her face. I took a seat, and she glanced up at me.
“Boyfriend?” I nodded toward her phone, and she looked down at it.
“No, boyfriend.” She turned the screen my way. “Just Instagram.”
“Why are you single?” I asked, leaning back in my seat. It was the first question that popped into my mind to ask. Blossom intrigued me, and her response would help me understand how to move next. She rolled her eyes and then stared. Soon she was laughing. And that turned me on. It was melodic.
“You were serious,” she managed to say through her laughter. “Sheesh.”
“I was.” Eventually, she stopped and sat back, crossing her arms. Her eyes danced across my face and then she smiled.
“Do you want the sugar-coated answer or the one that’s a little bitter to taste, but once you get to the center of it...” She paused, not finishing her statement but obviously waiting for me to choose.
“I want the real,” I said.
“Alright...” she nodded. “I’m too much. I’m a little spoiled. I like attention, but I like my space. I love too hard, and I guess that makes men feel suffocated. I give my all too fast. Sometimes I’m clingy, and I whine. But more importantly, I have daddy issues. Daddy issues about a man that I don’t remember. Oh, and no man can seem to figure how to love me the way that I need to be loved.” The look in her eyes when she finished told me that she expected me to run for the hills, but her response did the complete opposite. It only made me want to figure her out.
“Do you know how you need to be loved?” I asked.
“I know exactly how,” she answered. “I—”
“Don’t tell me.” She bit down on her plump lip, and I stared at it while I continued to talk. “Let me figure it out on my own.” I glanced up to find her dark gaze on me.
“Aye Ro, let me introduce you to someone,” Ezra interrupted, oblivious to what was happening in front of him. Or at least he was pretending to be. My cousin thought he was slick, but I would let him live. I stood, but before walking away, I addressed Blossom once more.
“Once again, it was nice meeting you Blossom. I look forward to figuring you out.” She opened her mouth and then shut it. Smiling, I walked away with Ezra beside me.