Page 49 of Bishop

My eyes darted to her arm where I’d bit her. “We are.”

Diamond smiled, "I always always just want you to be happy."

She smiled as our other sister walked in and Summer commented. “Aww, is he about to be our new brother?”

“Whoa,” I looked at the two of them. “We are dating. Marriage is not on the table just yet.”

Diamond came over and hugged me and I returned the embrace before my mother and little sister joined in.

“Oh, I think this is the best present I’ve had in a long time. All my girls are home and happy. And my boys too,” my mother stepped back and wiped at her eye.

“Oh mama, don’t cry, please,” I whispered before pulling her into another hug.

Eventually, we all had a laugh and Benny and Jeff joined in while my nieces and nephews ran around eating crawfish I’d been trying to hide and take home. As it started to get later and later into the evening, I finally had to drive home while promising to come back for post-Christmas brunch.

Entering into the house, I took a look at the Christmas gift I was giving Zane later on tonight. I was hoping that he was going to love it because I’d been trying to figure out what to give him for nearly a month.

I had laid my outfit out on the bed before I’d left for Mama Kay’s and I clapped my hands together so excited.

The therapist I’d been seeing since Gayle’s crazy ass had kidnapped me had recommended that I try new things, be a little more adventurous.

Don’t let fear invade my mind.

Those were her words exactly.

So here I was on Christmas night, about to pull on some tights that looked like leather and a corseted top made of the same material.

Once I got dressed, I took a deep breath and checked out my reflection. The entire outfit was clinging to every single curve as if it were a second skin. Twirling around in the bright red stiletto hills I knew I’d have his attention.

Grabbing my cute little silver and black clutch and a leather jacket I headed out of the house. I’d been to just one event at the Sinner’s club house and everyone had been so friendly.

The president, Loki, had even referred to me as Zane’s old lady causing me to blush.

It seemed to take forever to get to the club, but once I did my nerves seemed to flare up.

“No fear,” I whispered to myself before going inside.

The club was buzzing with merriment and people smiling from ear to ear. A few people were already drunk, and I took the gift card I’d purchased and placed it under the tree for the toy drive. I’d selected a family who was requesting money for groceries and I didn’t have the heart not give more than a thousand dollars.

Butch and Bo, the twins I’d met the same day Gayle had lost her marbles sat their gifts down as well.

“Well, well, well,” Bo grinned. "Look at you!”

“It’s nice to see,” Butch smiled.

“Merry Christmas you two,” I grinned. “Where are the wives?”

Bo jerked his thumb over his shoulder. “Mel is over there talking to the Prez and his old lady.”

“Andy should be here in a bit, she was delivering turkeys with Pastor Stone, we attend his church here and there,” Butch nodded.

“Have you guys seen Zane, yet?”

They nodded and pointed me in the direction of my man. He was mingling and laughing with more of the Sinners and their wives when I slid up next to him at the bar. A tall leggy brunette who introduced herself as Kiki seemed to have herself draped over him.

“Hey…babe,” I smiled looking at the other woman.

He grinned and leaned over to kiss me on the cheek before whispering. “Don’t act up.”