I glanced at Jo as she graciously shook hands with the head of my record label, accepting his congratulatory wishes with a bright smile. I knew she had to be tired, but what I had planned for her once we left and boarded her jet was really going to wear her out. Yeah, I stayed horny around her, and I ain’t ashamed to admit it.
“You actually look the same. I was wondering if I’d even recognize you after all these years. Been seeing you on TV and YouTube and stuff, but thought maybe they were photoshopping your big ass or something.”
My head jerked around to find my boy, Keith, standing in front of me. “Nigga!” I shouted, as we slapped hands and pulled each other into half a hug. “What you doing here, man?!”
“Damn, you don’t want me here, Ev?”
“Naw, not that. Just surprised to see you. Glad to see you, too. Been meaning to call.”
He nodded toward Jo. “Well, your new wife took the initiative, called and invited me. See, that’s how I know you got the right one this time.”
I looked at her and smiled, before returning my attention to Keith. “I sure do. Hey, thanks for coming, man. For real. It’s good to see you.”
“We gotta keep in touch, bruh. Seriously.”
“We will. I promise.”
As he shook Jo’s hand and moved along, I asked her, “How in the world did you get in touch with him?”
“Stole his number from your phone. It’s been the same all these years. Isn’t that crazy?”
“It really is.”
A few minutes later, I heard Jo say, “Just a few more people.” She was leaning forward, checking out the folks lined up to the left of us. “Thank God, because I’m about to starve.”
“You and me both,” I replied. About ten more minutes had passed, and we were down to the last five or six guests when I nodded at the older lady standing before me in a pink dress suit. “Thanks for coming. We appreciate it.”
She gave me a wink. “Thank you, honey.”
Once she was in front of Jo, I heard a soft gasp, and tried to concentrate on shaking the woman’s husband’s hand, but needed to gauge Jo’s reaction.
“Oh, my…I saw you standing in line, but didn’t recognize you from a distance, and there are so many people here, and how—what are you doing here?” Her eyes shifted to the gentleman as he left me and joined his wife, standing at her side.
“I invited them,” I offered. “And her,” I added, pointing to a lady who resembled the older woman greatly.
Jo raised her hand to cover her mouth, then dropped it. “Um…thank you all for coming?” She sounded both surprised and skeptical. I couldn’t blame her, knowing her history with her grandparents and aunt. They hadn’t exactly been a positive presence in her life. Hell, they hadn’t been present at all. I could only hope she didn’t hate me for reaching out to them.
“You’re welcome. When you get time, maybe after your honeymoon, we’d like to sit down and talk to you. Get to know you?”
Jo’s eyes swept over to me, then slid back over to her mother’s kin. “Uh, I’ll have to think about it.”
Her aunt nodded. “We understand.” Then they left, clearing the way for the last of our well-wishers to approach us.
Closing my eyes, I leaned into Everett as The Whispers performed Just Gets Better with Time. I smiled, remembering how he said them performing at our reception felt like having his mother there. The entire day was magical, from the exchanging of our vows, to that little treat in the holding room, to the receiving line where I was shocked to see my mother’s parents and sister—who Everett contacted and flew in to surprise me—to this moment, in his arms.
“You gonna get up there and sing with them?” he asked, breaking into my thoughts.
“I only sing for you, in private. That was our deal.”
“Yeah, but I’ma pull you out of that shell, make sure the world hears that voice.”
“Never gonna happen. Hey, thanks again for my surprise.”
“You’re welcome. I know you ain’t really got nothing for them, but I wanted you to have some family here today.”
“I appreciate it. They seemed different, nicer, but that’s probably because I just married a very rich man.”
“Maybe not.”
“Yeah, right, but it doesn’t matter. It’s the thought behind your gesture that counts.”
“Yeah. I’m glad you’re not mad at me.”
“Never. Hey, did you try to contact my father, too? You located him?”
“Uh, yeah.”
“Let me guess. He wouldn’t come?”
“No. I’m sorry, Jo.”
“Nah, it’s his loss. I’m good.”
He backed away a little and peered down at me. “You sure?”
“I got you and a whole new family, including another daughter. How could I not be good?”
He pulled me closer. “I’m so damn glad Ella fell in line. Shit!”
My eyes roamed the room, finding her dancing with her Uncle Leland. “Me, too. And I’m glad her mother’s been quiet.”
“Hope she stays that way, her and Bugz’s ass.”
“I think they will.”
“Thanks for inviting my boy, Keith, baby.”
“You’re welcome. Hey, Ev?”
“Yeah?”
“Happy birthday.”
He abruptly released me, and I noticed him looking down at something. I smiled when I saw Nat tugging at his tuxedo pant leg. She looked so adorable in her little cream-colored, satin and tulle dress. Picking her up, he used his free hand to pull me closer as he danced with both of us. “Thank you for being my birthday gift, Jo Lena. I love your little ass, you know that?”
With a huge smile on her face, Nat chirped, “Little ass!”
A southern girl at heart, Alexandria House has an affinity for a good banana pudding, Neo Soul music, and tall black men in suits. When this fashionista is not shopping, she’s writing steamy stories about real black love.
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Also by Alexandria House:
The Strickland Sisters Series:
Stay with Me
Believe in Me
Be with Me
The Love After Series:
Higher Love
Made to Love
Real Love
Short Stories
Merry Christmas, Baby
Baby, Be Mine
Let Me Love You (McClain Brothers Book 1) Page 30
