Page 43 of Believing in You
Her husband shook his head, seeming unfazed by his wife’s words as he slowly stood.
“Hello, everyone,” Harrison said, giving a small wave and feeling a little warm around the collar. He unzipped his coat, hoping that would help as Nyla’s family greeted him.
“Virginia, let the boy at least take off his coat and boots before you start pulling him all around the house,” Israel said as he approached.
“Okay, fine. Just don’t let him leave until I have time to spend with him.”
“Oh, Mom, don’t start. Nyla doesn’t need you scaring him away before he gets to know thesanefamily members,” Essence said and winked at Harrison.
“Harrison, you see how they treat me?” Virginia called out as Essence moved her down the hallway. “Anyway, we’ll get food on the table as soon as I change out of my church clothes.”
Virginia continued talking as she disappeared to the back of the house, and Harrison couldn’t help but laugh. The woman was funny.
“Nice to meet you, son,” Israel said, shaking Harrison’s hand. “Sorry about my wife. She loves people. If you’re dating one of our kids, Virginia has already adopted you as one of her own. So welcome. Let me take your coat and get you something to drink.”
“Thanks, Dad, but I got it,” Nyla said, ushering Harrison out of the room and back toward the foyer.
“Oh, my God! I’m so sorry,” she whispered, sliding her arms inside his wool coat and around his waist before she looked up at him. “Are you okay? I told you my mom is a lot, but she means well.”
Harrison hugged Nyla back, probably holding on a little too tightly as he breathed her in. Being in her arms was like a calming elixir, and his nerves immediately settled. He didn’t want to let her go.
After a few minutes, Nyla pulled him closer to the front door and far enough away from the others where they wouldn’t be heard. In the process, they took off their coats, and she hung them in the coat closet.
“You looked a bit shell-shocked outside. Are you okay?”
He didn’t want to admit Virginia’s embrace had shaken him to his core. He was still getting used to socializing, but he never had that reaction to anyone. Then again, he could already tell Virginia was like no other.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” he said just above a whisper, but Nyla didn’t look convinced, so he told her. “Your mother’s hug reminded me of my mother. Despite how things ended between us, she used to give the best hugs. I was caught off guard for a minute there, but it’s all good.”
“I’m so sorry, babe,” she said, cupping his cheek as she stared into his eyes. “If you need to leave, I totally understand, but whydon’t you stick around and have lunch. I’ll make sure I keep my mother away from you.”
He chuckled and gave her a quick kiss. “I appreciate that, baby, but since we’re dating, I need to get used to being around your family.” And other people too, he wanted to add but didn’t. So far, Nyla’s family seemed as refreshing as she was.
“Excuse me. Sorry to interrupt.”
Harrison turned to find Cree standing a few feet away.
“Harrison, have we met before? I don’t usually forget a face, and you look very familiar.”
“I saw you from a distance at Moody Days a week or two ago. Maybe that’s where you remember me from,” he said, though he didn’t think so.
It was the same night he had learned that Nyla managed the jazz club. Cree and one of their other sisters were hugging Nyla before they left the club.
“Maybe, but…” She shrugged. “Anyway, I’ll let you two get back to what you were doing,” she said and strolled toward the kitchen.
When Harrison turned back to Nyla, she had a strange look on her face.
“What?” he said.
She moved closer and wrapped her arms around him again before whispering, “She’s an entertainment lawyer, and she devours the news daily. What if…” Her voice trailed off, and he knew what she was thinking:What if Cree knows what happened to you?
When he decided to start living again, Harrison told himself that he was risking being recognized. Risking people talking about him behind his back or asking him questions about the worst time in his life.
No, deep down he wasn’t ready for any of it. Yet, as he stared into Nyla’s beautiful eyes, the only thing he knew for sure wasthat he wanted her in his life. If that meant her family knowing his history, that was a chance he had to take.
He bent down and nuzzled her neck just below her ear. “It’s okay,” he said and placed a kiss there. “I’m in this for the long haul. At some point, your family will find out. Either from me or some other means. I’ll just have to deal with that when it happens.”
“We’lljust have to deal with it,” she corrected. “You’re not alone anymore.We’rein this together.”
