Page 52 of I Think They Love You

“Ten!” At least he can depend on Mikah’s enthusiasm.

Leena says, “I liked the blue Armani one with the gold silk tie better.”

Denz shoves his fist into his mouth. He wants to hop on the kitchen island and cry.

When his parents bought the house, they hired famed interior designer Rosa Hernández for her decorative vision. But there was one room she couldn’t touch—the kitchen. That was his mom’s project.

Leena grew up in a smaller home. Two bedrooms for her parents, herself, Aunt Avis, and Uncle Rashad. The kitchen was their lifeline. A place to cook and dance and laugh. The second she married into the Carters, she wanted a space big enough to hold all of that and more.

The finished product is a masterpiece. All-white marble countertops, black cabinets and doors, crème de menthe walls. A walk-in pantry and wine fridge. Denz doesn’t consider himself religious, but this is his family’s church. His sanctuary.

Before finding an apartment with Jamie, Denz moved back home. At night, when the house was blanketed in sleep, he’d sit on the island with his phone and a jar of peanut butter. He’d study popular influencers’ accounts. Find the best apps for editing photos. Cling to any interruption from the fact that he was brokenhearted.

Alone, licking peanut butter off a spoon. Whatrealadults do after college.

“The jacket’s nice, sweetheart,” Leena says encouragingly.

“You look like a waiter,” Nic notes.

Jamie yells, “Auntie E, it’s a big no!”

Under the hiss of a garment steamer and bags being unzipped, Denz hears Eva snapping instructions to the two assistants she bullied into working on a Sunday. “It’s fromTarget? Burn it. Give me the Milan suit.”

Leena pops a grape in her mouth from the bowl she’s sharing with Mikah. “What’s Braylon wearing?”

Denz loosens the top button of his shirt, stalling. That’s something he should know, right? What his fake boyfriend’s sporting to the biggest Valentine’s event in the city?

Nic’s eyes widen. “You don’t know whatyour own boyfriendis wearing.”

“Who cares?” Eva’s head appears in the kitchen entryway. “It’sDenzel’snight. Braylon’s arm candy.”

“He’s more than…” Denz stops when Eva raises a sharp eyebrow. Right. Braylon hasn’t woneveryoneover yet.

“At least you two get to spend the most romantic night of the year together,” Leena says.

Since Kami returned to work from maternity leave, Leena’s volunteered to watch Mikah on event nights. But her absence started before then. She hasn’t been to a party in years. Once 24 Carter Gold stepped away from weddings, holidays became their busiest times. And Kenneth never takes an event off.

Denz’s parents never spend Valentine’s Day with each other.

“Almost finished with look number five,” Eva announces.

Leena rubs Mikah’s curly ’fro. “Come on, baby. It’s movie time.”

Kami’s started introducing Mikah to all the age-appropriate Studio Ghibli films. It’s his mission to force anyone in his vicinity to rewatch them with him. Denz has seenMy Neighbor Totoroan obscene number of times.

Jamie follows them out. Denz is alone with Nic. She pokes one of her lemon-yellow nails in his chest. “You’re hiding something.”

“Am I?”

“I know what’s going on.”

“You… do?” Denz stammers.

She eyes him, distrusting. “When Kami dropped Mikah off, she washappy. Walking-on-clouds happy. Getting-dick-regularly happy.”

“Jesus,Nic! That’s our sister.”

“She’s clearly in love. Just like you.”

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