“Are you sure your nanny isn’t coercing you into saying these things?” Alexis smoothed Frankie’s curls back and looked into her eyes.
“No, Mom. Xari is so cool and she tries all the food I cook. You never try anything. She lets me try on her clothes and even borrow them sometimes. You never even let me touch your clothes. You should give her a chance instead of always being such a bully.” Indignation settled in the faint crease of her forehead as she spoke.
“Listen, sweetheart…it takes a while for your mother to be open to new ideas. You had to warm up to the idea of Xari and me too, remember?” I touched her cheek and she nodded.
“You don’t have to speak for me, Van. I’m a grown woman.”
“I’m trying to help. Jesus.”
“Well, Jesus doesn’t need your help and neither do I.”
“Let’s settle down and go over the takeaways from today’s meeting.” There was no doubt in my mind Mrs. Reyes was ready to get rid of us. We’d been there for over an hour.
I sat patiently and listened to the suggestions while Alexis wagged her foot back and forth and scowled the entire time. Mrs. Reyes pointed out that I could do better with communicating before things get out of hand and that Alexis needed to listen to Frankie more and not worry about my personal life.
I couldn’t have agreed more.
When we left the office and walked into the waiting area, I saw Xari sitting on one of the couches along the wall and my father sitting across the room from her. He looked stiff and tight, which let me know they weren’t just two people sitting in a room. They were in a silent standoff. Neither one of them wanted to be the first to stand and leave.
When Xari saw me, she hopped up with a bright smile. “How is everything?” She asked, tossing an arm around Frankie.
“Everything is fine. Let’s get out of here. We still have time today to hang out. Navy cleared all my appearances. They’re not necessary.”
“Not necessary?” Dad’s voice piped up over the soft chatter between Frankie and Xari. “So not only are you turning into a bleeding-heart leftist, you’re blowing off your duties?”
“I’m not blowing off anything. Everything that I needed to do is done. And honestly, it’s none of your concern what I do or don’t do, Dad.”
“I put you in that seat so it damn well is my business.” Tension expanded between us. Xari took one look at me and held Frankie’s hand.
“I’ll take her to the car.”
“Thank you, Xari.” I kissed both my girls before they left and Alexis actually growled at me. She was a fucking animal.
“You kissed that bitch in front of my child?”
“I’m not doing this. Not with either one of you.” I turned to my father and said, “I’m not running for reelection. I’m done in the senate. I’m done with you too.” I didn’t even bother addressing Alexis. I left.
I hated getting riled up like that before I had business to take care of. I set up a meeting with Nicole Philips at Bright House Publishing. I planned to accept the reworked offer of six million for a four-book deal. I couldn’t stand around bickering with my father and ex-wife. I had moves to make.
When I got outside and saw Xari and Frankie, I remembered how easy it was for them to make me happy.
My girls.
My peace.
My headaches.
…
TWENTY-SIX
One month later…
“Is everything okay? I mean does it look okay?” My forehead puckered under the weight of my frown. Evander looked up at me from his laptop and smiled. He knew it melted my heart.
“It’s fine, Xari. You did a phenomenal job with the food. Your parents are going to love it. Don’t forget to send Frankie pictures of the table.” Frankie helped me make the broiled salmon and she was worried about if my parents would like it. She stressed over it until the minute she got into Alexis’s car.
By the way, that bitch didn’t even come into the house to pick Frankie up. She pulled up outside and honked the horn twice before sending a text. Trash.
I took a picture of the food spread out on the formal dining room table and sent it to Frankie. Broiled salmon, caramelized onions, and garlic mashed potatoes. I threw in a salad just because I knew Evander would side-eye me if I didn’t add vegetables.
“Okay, I’m going to change then it should be time for them to come over.” I rubbed my palms on my thighs and shook my nervous hands out.
“Xari,” Evander called before I rushed up the steps. “Stop stressing. Your parents aren’t going to rip me a new one. I’ve been dealing with people in tough situations for longer than you’ve been alive. I’ll be fine.”
“I know you will. I just wonder what they’ll say about me,” I confessed, my words softening. He stood to his feet and met me at the foot of the steps. His warm hand enveloped mine.
“You have done a phenomenal job turning yourself around. Don’t second guess yourself. When you walked into my house for the very first time you had no idea how to take care of anyone. You barely were taking care of yourself. Now, you have Frankie on such a tight schedule I think even Alexis is afraid to deviate
You didn’t have any other source of income. Now you have two months' worth of events lined up for notable clients. You’re only two more payments away from being debt-free.” He smiled at me and it was so warm and true, it stole the air from my lungs for a second.
“The woman standing here right now is new and transformed,” he said. “I’m proud of who this woman has become.” He reached out and stroked the shell of my ear slowly before sliding down to my neck. His touch was silk and fire. “I’m even more proud to call you mine…forever.”
My eyebrows lifted high on my forehead at the mention of forever. My features settled into an undeniable smile afterward. “What are you hinting at, Freeman?”
“I’m hinting at forever. Not right now but when you’re ready.” He curled his fingers around the back of my neck then pulled me to his lips. His energy was so sure and constant. I wanted to take his pride for me and slather it on myself.
“When I’m ready?” I smirked. “So you’re already there. You’re just waiting on me?”
“Maybe.” He shrugged his broad shoulders.
“What makes you think I’m not already ready?” I poked his sculpted chest and he laughed a little.
“You might be ready but I want you to experience life without being married. You need that.”
“I don’t disagree.” I studied his dark brown eyes. “You’re not trying to get rid of me, are you?” I locked onto him with an incredulous gaze. It made him tip his head back and let out a deep rumbling laugh.
“Get rid of you? I don’t think that’s even possible. No. I’m not getting rid of you and I never said I was. I just want your dreams to have a space to live and breathe before we get married.”
“I want that too,” I told him touching the side of his face. “I love you more than I think I’ve ever loved any pair of shoes or handbag. I love you more than I love Sunshine,” I said quietly. A flicker of shock crossed his eyes. My lips curved into a smile.