“Shut your trap.” Monique ran upstairs to the bathroom to grab her toiletries, while hoping they wouldn’t grill Linc while she was gone. She scooped up her things and tossed them into her cosmetic bag, trying to hear what was being said downstairs. As she rushed down the spiral stairs, she nearly tripped in her haste to get back to Linc.
“What’re your intentions, young man?” Oliver asked right as she landed on the main floor.
“I’m going to kill you, Oliver, and I’m going to make it hurt.”
He lost it laughing.
Dara, that bitch, laughed, too.
“Well, as nice as this visit has been, we’re outta here,” Monique said.
“Was it something we said?” Dara asked.
She glared at her sister. “Gee, I wonder.”
“Seriously, though,” Dara said. “It’s nice to see you guys. Hope you’re having a nice time together, which you must be since you were gone all night.”
Monique gave Linc a push toward the stairs. “Bye, ya’ll.”
“Don’t forget to call or write,” Dara called after her. “You know how I worry.”
“Sheesh,” Monique said as they reached the entryway on the first floor. “What a couple of ass pains.”
“They’re funny.”
“No, they’re not.”
“Are.”
“Are not.”
“Is this our first fight?”
“If you think they’re funny, it’s gonna be.”
“Good to know,” he said, obviously trying not to laugh as he put her bag in the back seat.
“Let’s get out of here before they think of something else they need to say.”
As Linc drove them through the gate, Monique received a text from Dara.
All kidding aside, we’re thrilled to see you happy with a good man who will treat you right. Everyone around here loves him, which means a lot. Go be happy. You’ve earned it. We love you.
“Well, damn it. Now she’s making me cry.” Monique read Dara’s message to him.
“That’s very sweet, and she’s right. You have earned it.”
“We both have.”
“Is this happening too fast for you?”
“Probably, but it’s nice to feel good after feeling like shit for so long.”
“I hope you never feel like that again.”
“I’d be down with that.”
“I’ll do everything I can to make you happy. I promise.”
