Page 116 of Crave

Luke manages to get out of his grasp. “Haven’t done it in five years.” He puts an arm around each brother. “Bachelor party. Vegas. Troy pays for everything. I’m thinking strippers.”

“Um, excuse me?” I yell after them, much to everyone’s delight.

“Yes, to the party. Yes, to Vegas. Hell yes, to Troy paying, but no to the strippers,” Jake says.

“I’ll plan the party because we all know Troy is lame,” JD announces, “but he can bring his wallet.”

“Everyone, I have appetizers and more drinks inside. Gabrielle made a beautiful cake for the occasion. Jake, your aunt and uncle are on their way and I invited a few neighbors. Let’s go inside.” We all follow Lil inside the house.

When we step inside, I should be shocked to see servers ready to pass around drinks and food, but I’m not. This is typical Lil Clark.

“So, this is how the other half lives?” Tash whispers to me as she takes a champagne flute. She hands it to me, takes another and we clink our glasses.

“I’d like to say something,” Josh announces. “Who knew that when the Clarks formed a partnership with Gabrielle that our families would soon be forming a different kind of partnership? I was there the night they met. My wife was telling Sandy about her son’s handsome doctor friend.” JD whistles and everyone laughs. Lil blushes as Jake hugs her to him. “But Jake knew a good thing when he saw it. I will say that even though that night was not without drama, I saw the spark between my son and Sandy and I’ve had the pleasure of seeing this relationship unfold. Lil and I are so happy, and can’t wait for Sandy to be an official Clark. Sandy, you are wonderful, and we love you. I don’t think you realize this, but you’ve given us something we thought we’d lost as a family. So, the Clark family formally welcomes the Etiennes.” Loud cheers and whistles follow his speech. “You have anything to say, Lil?”

“Yes. We are about to plan one hell of a wedding!” This time it’s Tash, Ebony, and Diana who let out squeals. “Have you set a date yet?”

“Mom, we’ve been engaged ten minutes. Whenever Sandy wants, but I bet my girl wants a summer wedding. She’ll probably want every shade of pink. Baby, whatever you want. You’ll only get one wedding.” I lean into him and he kisses my forehead.

“I want to say something.” Everyone quiets down when my mother speaks. “Deedee is my baby. She is kind and sweet. When I first met you, I thought you were trouble and I told you not to come back.” Everyone laughs. “But you kept coming back. My Deedee never does anything until she is ready, and when you two walked in my bakery holding hands, I knew she was ready. A mother knows these things. And I know you make her happy. So, maybe you’re not too much trouble.”

“I knew you loved me, mother-in-law.” And because he’s Jake, he lifts her off the ground and plants a kiss on her cheek. She waves him off when he finally puts her down, but she’s laughing.

“Enough speeches. Let’s eat,” Luke says. “We all know our parents paid Sandy to be with Jake. Who would put up with him willingly?” Jake punches Luke in the arm as everyone laughs.

“And eat cake. Gabrielle made a beautiful cake for the occasion.” Right on cue, a three tiered cake, decorated in white icing and pink flowers is wheeled into the huge kitchen.

“It’s beautiful. When did you make this?” I ask my mom.

“Today when you were working at the bakery. You were so mad, you didn’t come in the back all day. And I know you didn’t open the box I gave you. If you did, you would have clue.”

“Wait. So, you knew? Tash can never keep a secret.” I look from my mom to Tash.

“We all knew. We keep you busy, so he can get things ready. He’s good boy, Deedee. He asked me if he could marry you last month. He asked me, Tash, and Chris.”

“You did that? Should I ask your parents?”

“Hell no! He’s all yours. No take backs over here.” Everyone laughs at Troy’s statement, and Jake discreetly gives him the middle finger. I walk away, open the fridge, and pull out the box my mom gave me earlier. It’s a miniature wedding cake. On top, there’s a bride and groom holding hands.

I walk back to the group and hug my mom. When she hugs me back, the tears start to fall. She pulls away, wipes my tears with her fingers, and takes my hand to put it in Jake’s.

“Dee, our song’s playing, baby,” Jake says. I’m confused because we don’t have a song, but when Blurred Lines start to play, I start to laugh, and he pulls me against him.

“This is your song? You dirty dog,” JD says, hitting Jake with his shoulder.

“I don’t even want to know. She’s my little sister, man.” Chris downs a glass of champagne in one gulp, disgusted at the thought.

“Trust me, you don’t want to know,” Jake says and grinds discreetly against me as Chris pretends to throw up. “And your little sister is my woman.”

“You two are sick. I can never think of this song the same way again.”

“What’s wrong with this song?” my mother interjects, walking over to us. “I like it. He’s singing about good girl like my Deedee.”

Chris groans at my mom’s words. “Dance with me, Christopher.”

She grabs his hands and starts to dance.

“You’re boring, Christopher.” Mom pushes him away when he refuses to dance. “Trouble, where is the handsome doctor?”

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