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