Nel leaned in from the table right on cue. “That’s why she has it out Uncle. Total tactical maneuver.”
“Shut up Nel,” I snapped again, fighting my own smile.
Tevin sighed. “I’ve been fighting a losing battle with you three about your wardrobes since the early 2000s.”
“It’s just my back Uncle,” I said sweetly. “It’s hot out here.”
“Umm hmm,” he said, not buying a word of it. Then his expression shifted into something more serious. “Have you seen your mother yet?”
The air in my lungs thinned. “Not yet.”
“She landed about an hour ago. I met her and the family in the lobby. Your siblings have grown so much Nique. They’re looking forward to seeing you.”
“Oh wow,” I said, my voice dripping with a fake enthusiasm that wouldn’t fool anyone. “I’m so excited.”
Tevin didn’t even blink. “No you’re not. But I’m determined to get this family on neutral ground before this trip is over.”
Before I could form an escape plan a cheer erupted from the entrance. The room shifted as London and Eli walked in and for a moment I forgot about everything else.
London was stunning. She was draped in a floor length white dress with an asymmetrical one shoulder cut, one long sleeve on the left side, fabric hugging her perfectly. Her hair was styled in voluminous dark waves cascading over her shoulder and the nude pumps she was wearing made her legs look like they went on for miles. She looked polished, powerful and completely in love. Seeing her that way made me hopeful that I’d have my own love story one day.
Beside her Eli looked like a man who had won everything that mattered.
“Thank you all so much for being here,” Eli began, his hand resting on the small of London’s back. “I know Tulum isn’t a quick drive down the interstate so we really wanted to make sure you felt our appreciation the moment you stepped onto this sand. Whether you came from Mobile, Huntsville, Birmingham, Mississippi, Tennessee, Florida, or Georgia, having our village in one place means everything. My beautiful wife to be has been working with the chef on a four course meal that’s just as incredible as this view. Baby, anything you want to add?”
London beamed. “Just thank you all. The tab is open so have fun, drink responsibly. We don’t want any accidents.”
“We don’t have to drive!” Kam shouted from the back, and the room erupted.
London shook her head laughing. “In that case, what happens in Tulum stays in Tulum.”
The room cheered as the couple began making their way around the table greeting everyone while the waitstaff moved with precision taking drink orders. I’d just asked for a piña colada when the air in the room shifted in a way that had nothing to do with the breeze coming off the water.
The laughter didn’t stop but for me the world went quiet.
Walking through the arched entrance was Stella. Polished as ever, trailing her husband Wendell and my two half siblings. Whitley had grown into a stunning young woman and Deuce looked like a completely different person from the last family photo I’d forced myself to look at.
They moved like a unit. Another perfect family portrait to add to the collection I’d been dodging all day.
Nel stiffened beside me, his playful energy gone in an instant. My heart which had been racing over Dex and Brandon now felt like it had dropped straight to the floor. I smoothed the green fabric over my thighs, my palms suddenly damp.
Stella’s eyes moved quickly across the room until they landed on Nel and me. A hopeful light sparked in her face, the look of a woman who had been counting down to this moment for a long time.
She stepped forward, Wendell’s hand steady on her lower back. She looked radiant in a soft cream dress, but she moved with a humility I didn’t remember.
“Dominique. Donnel,” she breathed when she reached us, her voice thick like she’d been rehearsing it the whole flight.
She hugged Nel first, pressed a kiss to his cheek, then turned to me.
“Look at you,” she whispered, her eyes misty. “You are absolutely stunning Nique. Just beautiful.”
I stood up, my knees soft. “Thank you, Stella.”
She reached out and let her fingers graze my arm, light and careful, like she was checking to make sure I was real and wouldn’t disappear. “I’ve missed you both so much. I know it’s been a long time. I’m just so grateful we’re all here.”
Whitley and Deuce stepped up behind her, a little shy but eager.
“Hey big sis,” Whitley said, her smile wide and genuine. She looked so much like a younger version of us it was almost startling.