Page 67 of And Everything In Between

Betsy’s face broke into a wide smile. “That’s exactly what I was hoping to hear. A relationship ain’t about who gives and who takes. It’s about who stands steady when the other one needs to lean.”

Across the yard, Giovanni had resolved whatever crisis had erupted. He looked back at them, eyes questioning when hesaw their heads bent close in conversation. Betsy waved him off with a “we’re fine” gesture.

“We do lunch every Sunday at Choosy Eats,” Betsy said, turning back to Paige. “The three of us, me, him, and Spirit. Been our tradition since his daddy passed.” She patted Paige’s hand. “You’re welcome to join us anytime. Any woman who’s got my son smiling like that deserves a seat at our table.”

Paige recognized the significance of the invitation. It was more than a meal, it was access to their inner circle, to the sacred space they’d preserved for family.

“Thank you. I’d like that very much.”

“Good.” Betsy nodded decisively. “Because that boy’s already gone on you, whether he’s said it out loud yet or not. I can read my children like books, and that one,” she said with a nod toward Giovanni, who was making his way back to them, “is going to hell or jail about you.”

“Remember something, Paige,” Betsy said, leaning in for one final piece of wisdom. “Giovanni builds beautiful things, but the most important thing he’s ever built is his sense of peace. Guard that for him and you’ll have him for life.”

Giovanni approached from across the yard before Paige could respond. Betsy smoothed down her dress and greeted her son with a playful swat. “You leave this poor girl alone with your momma too long, and I might talk her out of dealing with your stubborn behind.”

Giovanni laughed, sliding his arm around Paige’s waist. “Too late, Ma. She already in too deep.”

The look he gave Paige made her heart stutter, and from the knowing smile on Betsy’s face, she hadn’t missed it either.

“That’s what I’m counting on,” Betsy said, winking at Paige before moving off to check on the dessert table.

With his mother gone, Giovanni bent down and kissed Paige’s temple, his hand resting gently on her shoulder.Something about him felt different now, like all the pieces of him were falling into place. Paige couldn’t stop the little smile pulling at her lips.

She caught Spirit watching them from across the yard, her grin wide, mouthing “Finally.”

The cookout continued around them, conversations flowing, plates being filled and refilled. Paige felt herself relaxing into the warmth of Giovanni's community, who’d welcomed her without question, when Rolani appeared beside her chair with two plates of food.

“What she asked?” as she watched him settle into the seat next to her.

“You know, I ain’t seen that man smile this much since... shit, maybe ever,” he said, nodding toward Giovanni at the grill.

Paige accepted the plate gratefully. “So glad no one snatched him up. He’s good man.”

“Something in the water around here. First Emon and now G. I need the tea ain’t that what y’all say?”

Paige laughed and rolled her eyes. Anytime she heard about Rolani he was joking around.

“Yes, that’s what we say but there’s a reason your single. What is it?” she asked with a squint trying to read him while he weaved his head to get out of her eyesight.

“Aye, hell nah,” he joked. “I’m just tryna get my groove back too.”

“Mmhmm, I hear you. You probably need to get out your own way.”

“Yeah, probably. Seeing y'all... I don’t know maybe it's time I stopped making excuses.” He grinned. “You got any friends?”

This was about to be a big friend group because only one person came to mind. And she didn’t like to meddle.

“Maybe, let me think on it,” she replied. Paige wasn’t crazy there was probably a reason he was single and she needed to make sure her girl was going to get top of the line treatment, not trauma.

“Damn, it’s like that. After I brought you a plate?”

“Bros before hoes, ain’t that what y’all say?” she joked.

“Touché.”

Rolani hit her with a nod before he headed off to go bother Spirit.

Paige reclined in a lawn chair nearby, belly full and heart even fuller. She caught his eye from across the gathering. He gave her a subtle nod, then turned and tapped a metal serving spoon against a glass.

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