Page 71 of Confessions of the Funny Fat Friend

Our eyes locked from feet away, and I gave him a disbelieving look. “What’s inside?”

Tyler nodded, answering my unspoken question.

It was taken care of. All of it.

I walked up the ramp, and Johmarcus put his arm around my shoulders. “Check this out, sis.”

We walked inside, and it was like a new house. The flooring gleamed under the lights, completely beautiful, and all the furniture and trim boards were already back in place. There was even a new recliner in our living room.

“We got a new chair too?” I asked.

Justus said, “Imani’s mom had an extra chair with a built-in lift. We thought it might make things easier for Grammy.”

I let go of Johmarcus and hugged Justus, his earring scratching my cheek. “Guys, it looks incredible.”

Bertrand said, “We did the living room and all the bedrooms.”

“How did you work so quickly?”

Tyler grinned and said, “I’ve asked them if I can hire them for my crew at least ten times. They made the job go so fast.”

Dad shook his head and said, “Tyler’s being modest. He put this all together, got us here at seven in the morning. Ordered all the materials. This wouldn’t have been possible without him.”

Feeling my eyes well up, I went and wrapped my arms around Tyler’s middle. He held me close while my brothers and dad stayed silent, giving us this moment. I hoped Tyler understood how big of a difference this would make to Grandma coming home and life hopefully getting back to normal. Or at least the newer version of it.

Then it hit me, and all the blood drained from my face. “Does that mean you all went through my room?”

Tyler chuckled, and Dad said, “Don’t worry. We hid all your unmentionables.”

Unmentionables? Now I was really embarrassed. I let go of Tyler and walked into my room, staring at how all my furniture looked on the new flooring. It was like an entirely different space.

“Well, it does look good,” I said.

Tyler huffed, “You sound so surprised.”

Laughing, I hit his chest. “It wasn’t very clean before I left for the wedding.” I frowned. “Speaking of leaving, I was supposed to get Mom stuff to make her macramé plant hangers.”

Johmarcus spoke up. “That was just an excuse to get you here. We’re all going to the hospital now for a visit. Why don’t you stay and enjoy the new floors?”

Dad nodded. “I’m spending the night there with Grandma. No one should be back here tonight. Just eat some vegetables, please. We’re up to our ears.”

There wasn’t any insinuation behind his words, but the meaning was clear. Tyler and I had the house to ourselves for the entire night to do whatever we chose. Trying not to blush, I nodded. “Want me to make you all some supper before you leave?” I didn’t want to seem too eager to jump Tyler’s sexy bones.

Dad shook his head and clapped his hand on Tyler’s shoulder. “I have to get your mom some food anyway. I’ll see you tomorrow, baby girl.”

And just like that, they were walking out of the house, getting into their cars, and driving away.

Tyler and I were alone.

42

Tyler

Henrietta faced me, a slight smile on her lips. “I’m sorry,” she said, “I still can’t believe you did all this.”

“I mean, it wasn’t just me. Your brothers and dad did most of the work.”

She shook her head, stepping closer and taking my face in her hands, kissing me deep. Her kiss drew all the air from the room, made me forget anything else but the two of us.

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