“Huh? Of course, you did. I invited you, dummy.”
She turned to face me and I couldn’t help but chuckle lightly as I turned around.
“Not from you, dummy,” I replied and playfully shoved her arm.
“What you mean? Armond invited you?”
“Yep.” I smiled.
“Damn, it took two years for Arlando’s dusty ass to let me meet the folks and you gon’ meet them after two months!”
“I guess so.”
“What! How you bag that?” she asked excitedly.
Her voice carried through the store and drew eyes to us, but she didn’t care. She did a little shimmy pop of her hips and I couldn’t help the laughter that expelled from me. I joined her in a little dance too.
“Girl, when he asked me, I was shook. I thought he was playing for a split second, but we’ve gotten close. I wish I’d met him sooner! He’s like the perfect gentleman and he’s nasty too.”
“Ooh, girl, that runs in the family! Arlando be having me spread open any and everywhere.”
“They wanted nasty good girls… well, they got ’em!”
Chardonnay stuck her tongue out and we slapped hands before falling out into a burst of giggles.
“Man, that’s wild. Arlando told me about his brother and talked about him all the time. But that man travels more than Arlando’s ass. Shit used to have me thinking he was making his brother up. If I didn’t hear him in conversation, then I would still think he was bullshitting. Now my sis has met him in Puerto Rico and baby it all makes sense. Ain’t no way you would've met him in these states. Ooh, this is going to be so great! Have you picked out your dress yet? You think their parents will like us?”
Chardonnay’s excitement dwindled suddenly as her nerves took over. The smile that once graced her face was nowconsumed by furrowed brows, a creased forehead, and a pout that mirrored my own when I was worried.
We were both the spitting image of our mother and our expressions mirrored each other’s too. I couldn’t help but wrap my arms around her and hold her tightly.
“I hear their father is a tough cookie but their mother should be more welcoming. Their sister is really cool. I met her on our flight home from Puerto Rico. Maybe they’ll be more chill like her. Girl, we just gonna show up as us and if they don’t like us then oh well. We ain’t fucking them,” I said bluntly. That garnered a smile from my sister and that was all I wanted.
“That’s right, sis. We’re the definition ofthem, okkkurrtt,” she said, then laughed.
“Besides, you and Arlando have been going strong for so long that they’ll have no choice but to love you. You’ve been their family. Me on the other hand, I’m brand new to this, and I’m nervous as hell. Armond is so sure about me but what if I do something else to run him off? He literally almost broke up with me when I played that leave bullshit. I don’t know why I did that. I mean, I know why, but girl, that look on his face just about killed me.”
“Well, I’m glad he loves you so much that he forgave your silly tail.”
“Love? Girl, no. He doesn’t love me. We just started dating and…”
“It’s been a whole ass two months, sis. He loves you and you love him. Stop playing yourself. You’ve been so happy, sister, and honestly, the least stressed I’ve seen in years apart from Jeff’s BS. Be happy and love that man. Besides, if he didn’t, you would’ve brought your ass here four weeks ago like we originally planned. But now that sis is safe, she ain’t care about coming to stay with big sis anymore.” She pouted and rolled her eyes.
“Don’t be like that.”
“Gon’ be like that, hoe. I was worried.”
“I know… and shit, I was too, but since seeing Jeffrey in the airport and Armond setting him straight, he hasn’t been around. Only eating my damn pockets.” I rolled my eyes and shook his ass off. I wasn’t about to be pissed off any longer over this fool.
“Yeah, whatever, hoe. Your ass still should’ve come. I got your spot ready for you and all.”
“And I appreciate it, baby cakes. I’m here now and grateful.”
“Mmhmm. You lucky I like Armond or it would be up!”
“Shit, I really like him. He has been great.” I smiled widely. “He’s been a blessing to my existence and I’m so grateful for him, sis. He’s amazing.”
“I’m glad you think so highly of me, love,” I heard from behind me.
