Page 117 of Crave

“I’m right here, Mrs. E,” JD says from behind my mom, smiling fully.

“Do you know how to dance? You are cute.”

“Mama!”

“What? I am cute. Watch out before I marry your mother and become your stepfather. I’ll make you both call me Daddy,” JD threatens.

“I’m too much for you. You can’t handle me. Let’s dance.” JD takes my mom’s hand, spins her around before they begin to dance. Jake’s parents dance, as do Troy and Tracy, though it looks like he’s just holding her.

More people have arrived, including the neighbors and Jake’s aunt and uncle. The house is pure chaos with the loud music and laughter.

“I had no idea you were going to propose tonight. You’re good, baby,” I say as I wrap my arms around him. He leans down and gives me a gentle kiss on the lips.

“I wanted it to be a surprise and I wanted it to be memorable. And I want you to know how much I love you. Nothing will ever change that.”

“God, I love you, Jacob Clark. I was annoyed that night because my mom ruined my plans to meet Di and Ebony for dinner. But as usual, I can never say no to her.”

“That’s because you’re always giving of yourself to those you love. You put everyone else first. That’s what brought you to me. It was fate, baby. We were meant to me. You know why?”

“Why.”

“Because you love me.”

“I love you more than there are stars in the skies. My love for you is endless.” Even though the song is still on, we stop dancing and just hold each other. “You love me,” I say, our eyes locked.

“I love you,” he says simply.

EPILOGUE

As gently as possible, I remove the arm thrown possessively across my torso. Her pink diamond ring sparkles, and I place a kiss on that finger. Extricating myself is harder than usual this morning. Moving the leg thrown over me is much harder than the arm, but I manage. She moans her displeasure but doesn’t wake up. She moves herself over to my side of the bed and hugs my pillow.

As quietly and as quickly as I can, I put on my sweats. I nearly trip over the dogs once I open the bedroom door. Both start to bark and wag their tails the moment they see me.

“Shh,” I say, putting my index finger to my lips. “Mommy’s sleeping.” I close the door and the dogs follow me, tails and tongues wagging. I grab their leashes and we run through the neighborhood for the next twenty minutes.

My phone starts to vibrate the minute I set out fresh food and water for the dogs.

“Hey, asshole,” I say to JD. “You’re not calling to cancel, are you?”

“Nah. I’ll be there. I got your mom and Emma a present.”

Emma’s adoption finalized a few weeks ago. Mom suggested a party celebrating both her birthday and Emma officially becoming a Clark. Mom made this suggestion at a Sunday family dinner. Troy agreed before Tracy could speak, and mom went into party planning mode.

Tracy and mom are now civil, but not friendly. Mom is so excited about having Emma as a granddaughter, especially since Tracy gave birth to another son named Travis.

“I missed the party last year and you got the girl. I’m not making the same mistake twice.”

“Yeah, so thanks for calling and interrupting our anniversary, dick.”

He tells me to fuck off and we end the call.

I hear Sandy’s voice as I approach the bedroom. She’s under the sheets, one of her bare legs peeking out.

“I can’t today, Mama.” She’s silent for a beat and then, “If Steve is never available, you should replace him.” She turns towards me and makes the sign of shooting herself in the head before pointing to the phone and rolling her eyes.

“Mama,” she says the word with patience, as if she were talking to a child, “you know it’s our anniversary. We have plans.” She stops to listen to whatever her mother is saying. “Mom!” She exaggerates the word, completely exasperated. “You have a driver’s license now. You can bring them, especially since you’re going to be there anyway.”

I snort as I pull my shirt over my head. I went with Sandy’s mother a month ago for her road test, which she passed. That was the last time she got behind the wheel of a car.

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