“Why not? Tara is with Ethan.”
“Yes, but Ethan is from New York City. Colt is from Alabama.” She whispers Alabama as if it’s a curse. “Alabama,” she whispers again.
“What are you saying, Mother? It’s okay for a black woman to date a white man if he’s from New York City?” Not that I’m interested in Colt, but her dismissal grates on my last nerve. “There’s nothing going on with us,” I tell her. “He’s just a shameless flirt.” I don’t bother telling Mother that Colt is only interested because I made it clear that I’m not.
“Oh, good because that would be a disaster.” She lets out a shaky, fake little laugh. I look behind me and lock eyes with my sister. Knowing exactly what I need, she comes over and stands next to me.
“Tater tot, there you are,” Mother says. “I was thinking you, me, and French fry can get in a good spa day. You know? The three of us like we used to do. Or four if Alan wants to come.” I catch Tara’s eyes and roll mine. I can tell from her stiff posture that she’d rather do anything else.
Alan might be my twin, but the three of us are so connected, we can tell what each other is thinking without having to utter a single word. My stepmother, Cheryl clears her throat. She gives me a subtle nod, urging me to agree.
“Like we used to do?” I ask. “When did we ever do that? I remember you trying to sell us on that fantasy last November. Remember that? When you bailed on Tara’s birthday and decided to go to Barbados with friends instead?”
She sighs, and her shoulders slump. I stuff down the twinge of guilt that hits.
“I’m trying to make up for that. Tara and I talked. She’s not even upset about it anymore. Why can’t you let it go?” She huffs and picks up her wine.
“And what about Cheryl? You made it a point to exclude her.”
“I just want to have a few hours withmychildren. Cheryl understands.” She waves in Cheryl’s direction.
“Of course, I do,” Cheryl says. “It sounds fun.”
“See? Come on. It will be fun, and I want to talk to you guys in private.” She gives Cheryl the side eye. “I have some stuff I need to get off my chest.” I nearly scoff at that. Whatever it is, I don’t want to hear it. The last time she tried to get stuff off her chest, she blamed our father for the demise of their marriage and Cheryl for the rift between us. “And Ethan and I were just talking about it outside. He thinks it’s a great idea.”
“Well, as long as Ethan agrees,” I sneer.
Tara elbows me in the ribs.
Ethan steps inside while typing something on his phone. He pulls Tara away from my mother and wraps an arm around her.
“I had Hunter book a spa for you guys. He’ll email Tara the details. It’s for up to six people, so have fun.” Mother claps and hugs Ethan, while Tara rolls her eyes at me. “You get whatever you want.” He pulls Tara to him and whispers something in her ear.
I pull my mother to the side and say, “Cheryl comes, or I don’t.” She pulls me to the other side of the room, away from anyone.
“I have no issues with Cheryl,” she whispers. She has no issues with Cheryl now. Not since we’ve all made it clear that we won’t allow her to disrespect our evil stepmother. “But I would like to spend some quality time alone with my children. I told you I have things I want to say.”
“We’re her children too. And whatever you have to say, we’ve heard it all before. I don’t think we need to hear it again.”
For a split second, I regret my words. She drops her head and her shoulders sag in defeat, but like always, she doesn’t stay down for long. She stands straight and looks at me directly in the eyes.
“How long are you going to punish me, Victoria? For how long? Have you ever done anything wrong in your life? Have you ever thought for a second that I might have my own demons?” She huffs and walks away without giving me a chance to respond. Chastened, I look at my sister, but she’s busy talking with Ethan and Elizabeth in the corner.
Colt returns and Evan runs outside to join Vincent and Alan in the backyard. Colt stands next to me, much too close.
“Queen Victoria,” he whispers. “When can I take you out to dinner?”
“We’ve been through this.”
“I don’t give up.” He puts one of his giant hands on the small of my back. A shiver goes through my body. He notices and smiles. “My queen, my liege,” he whispers. For some reason, I laugh at that.
“If I’m Queen Victoria, then we can never be. She married her cousin.” He puts a hand to his heart and pretends to be shocked.
“Stop tryin’ to get me to the altar. See, I knew you wanted me.” He snatches one of my hands and puts it to his chest. I want to pull it away, but I leave it and feel the strong reverberations of his heart. His smile disappears when we lock eyes, and as much as I know that I need to look away, I can’t. The playful flirtatiousness is gone and in its place is a look I can’t interpret. The intensity of his dark brown eyes is so hypnotizing that all other sounds in the room fade away, and I lose myself in his eyes. I don’t know what he sees when he looks at me, but I’ve never let anyone in close enough to fully see me.
After a loud throat clearing, my mother nudges her way between us and announces, “I want to have my children over for dinner soon. I want to get to know my daughter’s boyfriend and his adorable son. Vickie, you too. Bring Gerald.” When I give her a death glare, she waves her hand and says, “Or I’ll call him. I’m going to help you.” She floats away and approaches Tara and Ethan. She wraps an arm around Ethan’s to get his full attention.
“Who is Gerald?” Colt whispers in my ear. I look at him and stare, not bothering with an explanation. “I didn’t realize it before, but I think I’m a very jealous man, my queen. At least where you’re concerned. I think it would be better coming from you.”
