Page 49 of Takedown

They both tap their temple with a finger before they look at each other and burst into laughter.

“Fine! His mother gave it to me. Are you bitches happy now?”

They laugh harder. “Was it before or after you got matching mani pedis?”

“After, ho,” I say to Ananda, throwing her favorite word back at her. I look around the room and spot my mother in a deep conversation with Molly, and I narrow my eyes.

“Alex, go get your mother-in-law. And why isn’t she downstairs watching Addy? I didn’t invite her.”

“Addy has a sitter, and I think Jason tried to talk her out of it.”

My mother is smiling at whatever Molly is saying. I look away, suddenly not caring that she’s here. Her issues with me have always stayed within the immediate family.

“Whatever. I’m going to enjoy my party.” Just as the words leave my mouth, Adam comes over and takes my hand.

“Come meet some of my colleagues, love,” he whispers in my ear right before he kisses my temple.

“Oh, Adam.” Ananda gives me a sly look once she has Adam’s attention, “Mellie told us you two are considering Paris for your honeymoon.”

“Considering? I thought you had your heart set on Paris, love. I’ve already booked us a hotel.”

“I do,” I tell him quickly. “Ananda doesn’t know what the hell she’s talking about.” I turn to my friend and narrow my eyes at her.

“Sorry, love,” Ananda says. “I must have misunderstood.” She cackles and twists her lips. Then, she smirks as if she just proved a point. Alex’s cheeks pinken and she sips her water. Adam pulls me away and introduces me to a couple of teachers at his school, along with the office administrator.

We chat for a while, but then my father walks in holding hands with a tall and very beautiful woman. Jason and I both get our height from our father. In fact, Dad is about an inch taller than Jason, and his date’s shoulders practically reach his. Her hair is short but perfectly styled. She’s holding on to his hand while she nervously looks around.

“It’s my smelly Mellie,” Dad says as he approaches. Just like my brother, he’s extremely loud. He drops his date’s hand, pulls me away from Adam, and lifts me off my feet.

“Hey, Dad.” By the time he spins me around and puts me down, I’m breathless.

“Look at you, looking so pretty. And where’s my new son-in-law?” He puts a hand over his eyes and makes a show of looking around the room. I grab Adam’s hand, intertwine our fingers and raise our joined hands in front of my dad. I even point at our wedding bands with my free hand.

“Dad, this is Adam Flynn, my husband. Adam, this is my dad, William Dupree.”

“Get the hell out of here,” my dad teases. He playfully punches my shoulder as he starts to sing Ebony and Ivory. I feel the color creep up my neck in embarrassment, but all Adam does is laugh at my dad’s lame joke. “Come here, Son.” Dad hugs him, and when he pulls away, he introduces us to his date. “This is Jennifer. Jennifer, meet my daughter Melanie. She’s a boss lady at her job now.” For the past two years, my dad makes it a point to tell me how proud he is of me in every conversation. I smile and shake Jennifer’s hand. She has a deep dimple in each cheek, and her brown eyes look extremely kind.

Jason and Alex approach, and are introduced to her as well.

“We’re only here until tomorrow afternoon, so I want to take all of you out to breakfast in the morning. I want to spend time with my granddaughter too,” he says. Then he lowers his voice and whispers, “Your mother ain’t invited,” right before he lets out a loud laugh. “In fact, I’m surprised she’s up here, but I guess she needs to sink her talons in Jason every chance she gets.”

“Dad, come on,” Jason says.

“Sorry. I’m sure she’s here to spread her goodness and light, like always.” He does an exaggerated eyeroll. “I want to spend some time with Adam and Alex. Make sure you two are treating them right.” He points at me and Jason and offers Alex his arm. “I want you to get to know Jennifer,” he whispers in my ear.

“Let’s go get a drink, Jennifer,” I tell her.

“I’d love to. And this is a beautiful apartment.” I hook my arm through hers as Jason follows us to the kitchen.

“You should have seen it before I moved in.”

Jason makes us fresh margaritas while I chat with Jennifer. She’s only forty-two but has a twenty-year-old daughter who goes to Boston University. She’s a hairdresser by trade, but she owns three beauty salons in New Jersey.

“Your father tells me you’re having a wedding. He’s really excited about walking you down the aisle. No pressure, but I’d love to do your hair for your big day. If you already have someone else—”

“I’d love it,” I tell her before she can finish her thought. She lets out a relieved breath. I look past her shoulders and catch my mother looking at us.

“Let me show you some pictures of the last few weddings I did. I can do makeup too.” She pulls out her phone and starts to swipe.

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