Page 35 of Cherry's Jubilee

“Do you remember my daughter, Amira?” Karen says right before she shoves Amira in front of Daniel. He quickly sidesteps and stands on the other side of me.

“I remember,” Mr. Jubilee says. “And DJ told me he met Cherry here a few months ago. We couldn’t be happier for him.” That fake smile on Karen’s face almost becomes comical. “She’s a lovely girl.” I blush at the compliment. “And smart too. In fact, Cherry,” he says to me, “I need to talk to you about something later. In private.” He winks.

“Well,” Karen says with her lips pursed, “isn’t that wonderful? Interesting choice of color, by the way, Cherette.” She gives me the side-eye before she looks away and says, “Well, let’s greet the rest of our guests. You all enjoy yourselves.” She eyes me up and down one last time.

Uncle Whit gives me a genuine smile, oblivious to his wife’s attitude. “It’s nice to see you, Cherry,” he says. I don’t remember the last time he spoke to me directly. His wife stops in her tracks and slowly turns around. “I was hoping you could find some time and give Amira some career advice.” I look at Amira, who is looking at me, but unlike her mother and sister, she doesn’t look like she wants to kill me. “I think she looks up to you a bit,” he whispers. Amira looks away. “But don’tgive me an answer today. I’ll get your number from your mom, and Amira will be in touch.” He taps my shoulder and walks away.

“This is a nice wedding,” I say while Daniel holds me in his arms. “Too bad it’s for the antichrist.”

He smiles down at me. “Well, I’m having fun with my girlfriend, even though you danced more with my dad than you did with me.”

“He’s more powerful than you are. Maybe I’m only with you to get close to him.”

“In that case, be careful. My mom has claws.” His hands travel down my side, and one of them rests on my ass. “How about we get out of here, and I get to take you home and make love to you.” He cups my cheeks and gives me a slow but thorough kiss, igniting all the passion inside of me. He abruptly ends it, and I think he does it before he gets too aroused. “I love you,” he says while he looks down at me.

I feel goosebumps spread throughout my body at his words. We’ve said them every day since we were at my parents’ house, but each declaration from him is like the first.

“I love you too.”

He smiles and pulls me close, wrapping both arms around me. “I’m Cherry’s Jubilee now.”

I snort at that and start giggling until I feel eyes on me. I look around and spot Karen and Ashley staring at me with so much hate that I almost step back. Amira stands beside them, giving me a small smile and waves. Karen notices and knocks her hand down.

“Let’s get out of here,” I say to Daniel, deciding never to be around this branch of my family again.

Chapter 21

Daniel

“I promise I’ll be ready to leave when you get back from your meeting,” I say to Cherry. I don’t think she believes me, but it’s true this time. “Trust me.”

“Last time you said that I sat in your office for two hours while you had back-to-back meetings.”

“Yes, I lied on purpose that time because I like knowing you’re in the building, but we have a one o’clock lunch reservation.”

She looks unconvinced. It doesn’t matter if I have a reservation or not, I get immediate access anywhere.

“Who would turn you away?” she asks. When all I do is smile, she says, “Fine. I need to review my notes before my meeting.”

“I love you,” I say in a sing-song voice.

“I love you too,” she says. “And I’m having lobster. Two of them.” I lean down and kiss her cheek. She looks into my eyes and smiles, and I want nothing more than to take her in my arms and never let her go. “And your shirt is ridiculous.” I look down at my white t-shirt that has Cherry’s Jubilee written in red. “You can’t wear that to your meeting.”

“I have a suit, then I’m putting it right back on.”

She rolls her eyes but smiles as she runs her hand over my chest.

My office door opens at that moment, and Ashley walks in. She stops short when she sees me with Cherry. She took the week before and after her wedding off. When she returned last Monday, Iinformed her that she’d been promoted to office manager of the legal department. The job comes with a raise and more responsibility, but she didn't seem happy when I delivered the news. I think she knew why she was being reassigned.

She clears her throat, and I notice her looking at my t-shirt. I run my hand over it and grin. “What do you think?” I ask.

“Cherry’s Jubilee. Cute,” she says, clearly not meaning it from the sour look on her face. “Since it’s my last day, I wanted to say that it’s been great working for you, and I’m excited about my promotion. Your new executive assistant is ready to start on Monday, and I hope you don’t mind, but I invited Amira to my farewell luncheon.”

“Sounds good,” I say, dismissively. “I’m sorry I won’t be there, but you’ve been a great assistant, and it’s time you move on to bigger and better roles.” It’s true. She has been a great assistant, but Cherry’s comfort comes first. And good executive assistants come a dime a dozen.

Cherry doesn’t address her cousin, but she moves away from me and pulls her laptop out of one of the Birkin bags I got her.

My office door swings open again, and my dad walks in.

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