Chapter 1
Nakyra Moon
“We’re gonna be late if you don’t hurry up!” Rome, my fiancé, complained, eyeing me. “And are you really wearing that to have dinner with my parents?” His top lip curled up.
I glanced down at my outfit, wondering what was wrong with what I had on. It was simple, black leggings with a cream, oversized sweater.
I lifted my hands to speak, but quickly lowered them. “What’s wrong with my outfit?” By the look he gave me, one would have thought I asked him what color grass was.
“It’s not fitting to meet with my parents.” He turned and continued speaking while heading for our closet.
“You know I like seeing your mouth when you talk,” I called out.
“You have your aids on, right? Stop being difficult.” My lips pressed together and I brushed my hand over one of my ears. While I didn’t mind using them, it was easier on me at times to turn them off and rely on reading lips or ASL. Even with them on, it was always easier for me to see a person’s mouth when they talked to me.
I had been deaf since I caught meningitis at four years old. It was discovered too late, causing me to lose my hearing. It wasn’t until I got in school that my parents proceeded to get me hearing aids.
“Here, change into this.” I glanced up, eyeing the brown, knit, turtleneck sweater dress.
“I don’t want to wear a dress.” I sighed, grabbing the dress from him.
“My mom got it for you, didn’t she? She’ll be happy to see you in it. Hurry up; we’re already running behind.” Rome leaned over and kissed my cheek then stepped past me.
I held the dress in front of me and studied it. While I would have much rather kept on what I had on, I decided to change to save a fight.
A wet nose bumped my hand, gaining my attention. Looking down, a small smile formed on my face as my service dog, Bella, attempted to gain my attention.
“I’m okay, girl, don’t worry.” I rubbed the top of her head. Bella was a golden retriever and the sweetest dog anyone could ever have. I’d had her for a year and she’d made my life a lot easier.
Rubbing my eyes with the back of my hand, I released a sigh and walked to the bed, laying my dress down and proceeding to undress. Hopefully this dinner would be smooth. A headache was already starting to form and the last thing I needed was for it to become worse.
____
“In less than a year you’ll be part of the Thornton family, are you excited?” Marisol, Rome’s mom, asked after wiping her mouth with a napkin.
“Of course, I thought this day was never gonna come,” I answered with a small smile on my face. Rome and I had been together for eight years and engaged for the past two.
Rome reached over and placed his hand over mine on the table, giving it a small squeeze. “It all happened when the time was right. The past few years I was too busy to think about a wedding.”
“He’s right, you know, Nakyra,” Deacon, Rome’s father, mentioned, giving me an intense stare. “As you know I’m due to step down as CEO of Global Track Finances at the end of this year, and in preparation, I’ve been making sure Rome was ready to take his rightful place as my successor. A wedding can happen at any time, but becoming CEO and running a multi-million dollar company isn’t something to be taken lightly.”
“She understands, dear. Rome is about to start a new chapter in his life, and as his wife, you’ll be by his side supporting him, right, Nakyra?”
Six eyes fell on me, waiting for my answer. My stomach twisted in knots and my hands balled on the table as I gave a stiff nod. “Of course,” I forced out. “I know Rome’s been waiting for this his whole life and I’m happy it’s finally here.”
Marisol’s mouth lifted in a grin. “I knew my son made the right choice when he brought you home. It takes a special woman to handle a man in high power and the best thing you can do is support your husband and be his peace after a long day of work.”
My eyes moved around the table. Even though I’d been around them for as long as I had, I hated how I still felt like an outsider at times. “Have you spoken to your brother lately?” I asked Rome. “I hoped he would change his mind and attend the wedding.”
Marisol scoffed at my question and Deacon remained quiet, but his lips thinned tightly.
“No I haven’t. I’m sure he’s firm on his decision not to come,” Rome replied, not bothering to look my way as he spoke.
“Anyway.” Deacon cleared his throat. “Have you two spoken about kids? I assume with the wedding around the corner the subject has come up?” Deacon questioned.
“We’ve talked about kids and decided once we’re married to get started right away.” My brows dipped and I glanced at Rome. We hadn’t discussed that. Rome didn’t even want kids and he’d made that known to me. I could go either way on it, so I never complained. While becoming a mom would be nice, it wasn’t something I needed. I’d overcome a lot in my life and I wasn’t sure if I was meant to be a mother.
“I hope it happens sooner rather than later. Although it might be a little more challenging for you, given your situation, but that’s what nannies are for.”
