Page 33 of This: Blake & Emon

“I thought you had someone.”

“Nah, she got to yappin’ too much and doing all that IG model shit. I ain’t wit’ that. I need me a quiet freak. One that works a regular job, medium cute, natural body, good vibes. I’m too old for the bullshit. She got any friends, bro?”

Emon looked at him, knowing she did, but unsure if he was going to play those games with Gio. He was quiet and reserved and about his money, no doubt, but his cousin couldn’t keep a girl. Emon didn’t want to bring any problems to his girls’ friends.

“Man, her friend Paige might be your speed, but I ain’t playing matchmaker. You want that, you gotta earn it.”

“What that mean?” Gio asked with his face twisted and hands thrown up.

“Meaning I need to see you get your shit together first. Can’t have you out here making me look bad.”

“Since when you care about looking bad?”

“Since I got somebody worth looking good for.” Emon checked his phone, smiling at a text from Blake. “Plus, Paige ain’t the one to play with. She’ll have your ass in check quick.”

“Yeah, well, we gon’ see. Nigga just tried to play me like I can’t take care of a woman. Watch me,” Gio said before walking off. Emon heard the back door open, and Blake stepped out. His mind shifted to her. He didn’t give a damn what Giovanni was on. His goddess had stepped out, demanding the attention of everyone in the backyard. And he for sure gave it to her. He watched her wide hips sway and ass jiggle as she moved. It was that smile that brightened the yard that had him considering inappropriate things for a cookout.

Meanwhile, Blake watched Emon by the grill as the sun started setting. Vicey had her dancing and floating around allafternoon. He kept glancing her way with that smile that was just for her. She’d spent the day helping set up, letting ViceAnne tell her embarrassing stories about Emon’s childhood, feeling like she belonged.

His mom was beautiful. Although her short stature let Blake know his height came from his dad, his rich brown skin and nose came from her. She sported a short haircut that Blake wished she could pull off. Vicey was gorgeous. Much like Emon, people looked at her and judged her. She had a wonderful soul and the same sense of humor as her son.

“You know,” ViceAnne said, settling next to her on the back deck, “I ain’t seen my son look at nobody the way he looks at you.”

“Really? I always feel like I’m not doing enough.”

“Oh, please, you wouldn’t be here if he didn’t think so. He don’t bring women home to Mama.”

“He’s special,” Blake admitted, watching him watch her. “His birthday is coming up, and I want to celebrate him. I may need your help.”

“Baby, he don’t celebrate his birthday. He never told you?”

Blake shook her head, surprised but not shocked. Her man was simple and didn’t need to do too much, but that made her want to celebrate him and do the most for him even more. She might still be learning how to do this girlfriend thing, but she knew she wanted to take care of his heart the way he took care of hers. The same world he wanted to give her, she wanted to give him right back. They’d just have to share it.

“He never told me that. Don’t matter. I’m changing that this year.”

“Mm-hmm.” ViceAnne’s gold teeth flashed. “Don’t let my son ever forget how special you are too. He ain’t never made abig deal about it, but now that he got someone to share it with, he might.”

Blake understood what she was saying, but she also knew she didn’t have to worry. Emon was a good man who didn’t teeter on any lines about her. He’d been making it clear from the jump that he was all in.

“You raised a good man, Vicey.”

“It feels good to hear that because he wasn’t always like this. Had a lot of aggression about his daddy not being around. Got in trouble, fighting, stealing, drugs, anything he could do. Always felt like he had to be the man of the house and that pressure wasn’t fair to put on no child.”

“Hey, don’t give yourself a hard time. I’m sure you did the best you could. That was his journey. Maybe he needed to get it out of his system. I don’t judge.”

“Girl, this why he love you. You got that same understanding spirit I got. Sometimes folks need to find their own way back to who they supposed to be.” ViceAnne’s gold teeth flashed. “And, baby, he found his way right to your door.”

“You know about that?” Blake questioned with wide eyes.

“Sure do. He came to Sunday dinner and told me about how he’d met someone in the strangest way, but the way he said it let me know it was a woman. He said you going to school to be a nurse?”

“Yes, ma’am. Well, I’m getting my Masters to become a Nurse Practitioner. Hopefully, I never have to do that for him again,” Blake said, smiling.

“Shoot, you can cook and you’re smart. I need to get a picture. My boy did good. Jarvis, come take a picture with Blake for my profile on Instabook!”

Blake had never heard him go by his middle name, but she liked it. She wondered if he wanted a junior. She shook that thought out of her head. She needed to graduate first. He camerunning, scooping her up bridal style while she giggled. “Put me down, Jarvis.”

“Aye, only my mama can call me that, but I’ll make an exception for you,” Emon said, giving Blake a quick kiss.

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