Page 32 of Stilettos & Secrets on the 7 Seas

“My job at the bar has been gettin’ better, and I’m makin’ good money now.” He reached into his pocket. Crap, here it came—my own nightmare on engagement street.

Ragina licked her lips. Her left hand lifted off the table.

“I’m able to pay my fair share, and…” Darryl pulled out a set of keys. “I bought a new truck.”

“Cool, bro.” Pete gave Darryl a fist bump.

Ragina paused, her hand hovering in midair, eyes narrowed. “You bought a what?”

“You’ll love it, darlin’. It’s got four-wheel drive. And, Uncle J, it’s a Ford.”

My Dad nodded uneasily. Everyone stared at the unavoidable trainwreck that was about to happen. Ragina’s face went from ivory to rose to pink to flaming Cheet-o. She jerked her hand back. “You bought a truck?” It was more a statement than a question.

Cousin Darryl remained oblivious to what was happening in front of him. “Yep, brand new. Right off the lot.”

Caiyan pressed his lips together. He was amused.

“You bought a fuckin’ truck!” Ragina was standing now. She tossed her napkin on the table and marched out the front door.

Darryl stilled, deer in headlights. “Um, ’scuse me.” He followed the blazing path left by Ragina. Tonto scurried after him, barely making it out the door before it closed.

I forked into the cake.

The chocolate frosting was a creamy dream. The cake was moist, and the layer of fudge in the center… Oh my god. Almost as good as Caiyan’s addition to the prayer. “Mmmmm, Mom. This cake’s one of your best.”

Synchronized head nods rounded the table.

Mom situated her napkin in her lap. “Thank you.” She picked up her fork, took a bite, and eyed Eli and me. “You know, Darryl is younger than both of you.”

I froze—the fork midway to my mouth.

She turned her head away from me. “Don’t you think it’s high time you found a girlfriend, Eli?”

Good, she was going after Eli.

He toyed with the cake on his plate. “I’m dating Victory.”

Mom’s face lit up like a Las Vegas Hotel sign. “That’s won-der-ful.” Her fork clattered on her plate. She clasped her hands.

Crap! Eli left me in the wide open, defenseless. I hadn’t finished my cake.

Mom’s head robotted toward me. “What about the two of you?”

“We, um, are, um.” I shoved a forkful of cake into my mouth.

“We’re engaged.” Caiyan hung an arm around my shoulders.

I choked on the mouthful of creamy frosting that now felt like cement. My heart skipped a bunch of beats and I swallowed hard. “Yep. Engaged.”

“Oh,” Mom put her hand over her heart. “Engaged. Did you hear that, J.W.? They’re engaged.”

“I heard.” Dad studied me, and his lips turned up in a concerned smile.

“Why didn’t you tell us?” Mom asked.

Gertie looked at me, not sure whether to be hurt or worried.

Caiyan raised an eyebrow as if to say,Ball’s in yer court.

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