Page 103 of Almost Paradise

While everyone mills about, I stand in the middle of the rooftop deck. Nia’s back is to my front, and I have my arms around her shoulders, practically hugging her from behind.

“Isn’t it great?” Nia says to Langley. “One good thing about Mariah is that she has so many songs, we probably won’t have to hear the same one twice tonight.”

Langley laughs, but he soon sobers up when he realizes he’s laughing alone. “You can’t possibly be serious?” he whispers.

“Why would I joke about Mariah?” Nia asks.

“She’s serious. I’m surprised she hasn’t started stalking her yet.” I lean down and kiss her temple. “But it’s my birthday too, and it’s my turn to pick the music.”

“But your taste in music sucks,” she says. “I don’t want to hear rock music.” She makes a face.

“At least I like more than one artist,” I say back. “Nobody wants to listen to Mariah Carey all night.”

“That’s the first time I ever agreed with the boy,” her dad says from behind us.

“Fine, butI’llchange it,” she says. She pulls her phone out of her pocket, and The Weeknd starts to sing.

“I wanted to ask you two if it’s okay if I get Carter his own phone,” Langley says. I look at Nia and she furrows her brows.

“He’s only three,” she tells him.

“Yeah, but he’s a mature three,” he says. “He likes to play with my phone, so why not get him his own?” He grins like he’s come to a fabulous conclusion.

“Because he’s three,” I remind him. “There’s no such thing as a mature three, idiot.”

“So, I can’t get my nephew a phone?” he asks, incredulous. “Fine. This is the last time I ask you two.” He waves us off in dismissal.

“Aunt Nia,” Mason says. The three boys come up to us in a frenzy. “Carter says you’re going to the beach.”

“The Ahamas,” Carter says. “On a airplane.”

“The Bahamas, baby,” Nia says. “Yes, Mason, we are.” Nia runs her hand over Mason’s head.

“Can we go?” Mason asks his aunt, but before she can answer, he turns to his father. “Dad, can we go to the Bahamas too?”

“You boys and your dad are more than welcome to come,” I say. Mason and Kyle high-five each other, and Carter jumps in excitement.

Ray walks over to us and says, “Boys, we don’t want to intrude on their—”

Mason cuts Ray off and says, “But Uncle Drake says we can come. Please?” Kyle wraps himself around one of Ray’s legs, and Carter attaches to the other.

“Please,” Kyle and Carter say in unison.

“Ray, I’d feel better if you and the boys went,” Nia’s dad says. “You can look after your sister and Carter.” Nia tenses in my arms. Even Langley creases his brows in confusion.

“Why would Ray need to—” Langley begins, but I cut him off.

“Like I said,” I say, my voice a lot colder than it was. “The boys and Ray are welcome, but not because they need to look after my wife and son. That’s my job.” I look directly at my father-in-law.

The air becomes frosty, and everyone stands still.

“That means we can go,” Mason declares. The boys all run off to Wyatt.

“You know what?” Nia says, ending the tense exchange. “We should have gotten a pasta food truck, but it probably wouldn’t be as good as your pasta.”

“Drake’s pasta? Is that some freaky sex stuff?” Langley asks. Nia spits out her drink, and I roll my eyes at my brother.

“What the hell?” Nia’s dad says.

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