time since last night, my body sags in relief. My face softens toward him, and he notices, too, winking at me before turning back to my mom.
Merric’s phone beeps with what I assume is an incoming text message. I hate the twist of jealousy in my stomach, my thoughts drifting off to who it might be from. I wonder who he spends his time with back home in Myrtle Beach.
“I have a few business-related calls I need to return and check my emails. I’m going to sneak away to my room for a few minutes, and I’ll meet up with you both shortly.”
Whatever it’s about, I’m glad to see it doesn’t resurface any of the stress he felt yesterday.
“No worries, hon.” My mom reaches her hand out, patting Merric on the arm. “I promised Oaklyn chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast. It’s been a while since she’s updated me on her college life.”
“It’s been wild, so be ready,” I joke.
My body burns from the heat of Merric’s penetrating gaze, turning dark with his head tilted to the side in question.
“I can only imagine,” Merric replies, his voice strained.
He shakes his head, bending to grab his bag. I inhale a sharp breath at the sight of his ass in those jeans, sending me into a coughing fit.
“I need a drink,” I mutter between coughs. I dash past him, toward the kitchen, and can make out the sound of his laugh as I do. My mom follows along behind me, enticing Merric to hurry so he can enjoy some pancakes, too.
I swipe a bottle of water from the fridge and quickly take a large gulp. Merric stands in the corner of the kitchen, his eyes on me. He doesn’t seem to care that my mom is a few feet away, pulling ingredients out of the cupboards.
I want to ask him to stay, to eat with us, but I know we each need space. I’m still trying to wrap my head around what happened last night, and reality is dead center in our face the longer we’re together with my mom.
“We don’t have to be at the church until three,” my mom mentions. Merric nods, silently saying he’ll leave us to our chat, as he backs out and disappears down the hall.
My heart aches in disappointment when I watch him go. I join my mom near the stove, ready to help her with the cooking.
“I was at the church this morning helping to get everything set up. It’s so beautiful. I can’t wait for you to see it.”
I haven’t seen my cousin Penelope in almost three years, when I got to meet her husband-to-be Nathan. We’ve kept in touch through social media. Nathan seems like a nice guy. Even then, I could tell how completely in love with her he was.
My mom pours batter on the skillet as the song changes to “Santa Baby.” She tosses her head back, twirling, with her arms out wide.
“How was your drive this morning? Is everything okay between you and Merric? I noticed he seemed tense. Did he seem that way to you? I mean, I guess ‘tenser’ for Merric.” She flaps her arms around while she talks. “You know what I mean, right? He’s always so firm.”
She puckers her lips, emphasizing her impression of Merric. My face heats at the mention of things being okay between the two of us. I attempt to wrangle myself in, knowing if she catches a whiff of anything being off, she won’t give up until I spill it. It’s just how she is, always eagerly digging into everyone else’s business.
“I mean, he seemed fine. We didn’t talk much, honestly. You know me, it made for a long drive, but we’re here now, right?” I hold my hands up, plastering a fake smile on my face.
“I wonder if he’s seeing anyone. He probably needs to get laid,” she whispers, covering her mouth before playfully wiggling her brows. She glances around like she wants to make sure he didn’t hear her.
“Oh, God!” I laugh, my face heating at the mention.
“Penelope will have quite a few of her friends there. They’re a little bit younger, but maybe we could try to hook him up with someone at the wedding. You know, help him relax a little.” She giggles, flipping the pancakes.
My stomach flips at the mention of Merric with anyone else. Maybe it’s ridiculous, he’s free to do what he wants. It’s just the thought of watching him hook up with someone in front