Page 19 of Emani's Way

“Hey, sweetie. You look nice.” Daddy smiles at me and then follows behind my mother.

“You look like you were on your way somewhere. Surely, you weren’t going on a date, were you?” Darrius’s accusatory tone rubs me the wrong way, and before I can stop myself, a frown covers my face.

“Why are you with my parents? And why didn’t any of you call before coming to my house?” I throw out my questions instead of answering his.

“I tried calling you several times, and you haven’t made time. So, I called your parents, and they said you’d be happy to have us over tonight.”

“Emani, stop standing in the door and act like we raised you right,” my Mama shouts from the living room.

I want to reply I was raised not to yell in other people’s houses too, but I don’t want to get slapped in the mouth.

“Yes, ma’am.” I wave my arm out in a flourish for Darrius to go into the living room where my parents have made themselves at home.

I really don’t know what this is about. I already told my Mama that Darrius and I didn’t connect on our date. Even though she waved me off, I thought she at least considered my feelings about not wanting to date him.

“Would you all like something to drink?” I offer because I’m unwilling to be chastised anymore tonight.

“No. Come sit down, Emani. We need to have a conversation,” my Daddy’s deep baritone voice booms in the tension-filled room.

I instantly turned into the withering flower my parents conditioned me to be. I hate that about myself. But the fear of standing up to them and being practically disowned like my sister Amari has me giving in every time.

I take a seat in a chair as far away from my parents and their guests as I can get. I hate being blindsided like this. They are taking butting into my dating life too far. My oldest sister is the only one with a long-term boyfriend, and they have two other daughters who are also single that they can focus on. So why did they choose me to grace with their attention, who the heck knows?

“Darrius tells us you’ve been too busy to see him. That’s not how we raised you, Emani.” My Mama glares at me, and I shrink down in my chair.

“We raised you to be a woman of your word, Emani. You shouldn’t lead a man like Darrius on. He’s a good catch,” my Mama continues her berating.

Before I can wilt anymore, a little voice in my head reminds me that I’m a grown woman.You don’t owe anyone anything, Emani. Period!

“I’m a good catch too, Mama. It’s not okay for you all to show up at my house and try to railroad me like this.” I have to steady my voice so that the nervousness doesn’t come out. But if I don’t stand up for myself now, she will run my life forever.

“What has gotten into you? You shouldn’t be so disrespectful to your parents,” Darrius pipes up, sounding eerily similar to my Mama.

My fists ball and a frown covers my face before I realize my reaction. We’ve been on one date where he talked about himself the entire time. Darius Calder doesn’t know anything about me except for what my parents told him.Who the hell does this sycophant thinks he is?

“That’s right. You should honor thy parents.” Mrs. Jackson is fully on display and gearing up for a sermon I’ve heard her spit at my sisters a million times.

My Daddy has always been a live and let live kind of man. It’s funny that he’s the leader of the church. Because we all know who pulls the strings… my Mama. And Mrs. Hollier than thou always forgets about being a hypocrite and judging people in all of her preaching, but that’s a subject for another day. But today, I will not take it. I promised myself after I ran into Maddox again that I would live my life for me. I would do things my way. And that’s what I intend to do.

“First of all…” my doorbell rings, and I swallow hard as my eyes go wide.

I was so distracted, I forgot about my date.

Chapter9

MADDOX

Once I arrive at the address Emani gave me, I see more cars than I expected. I frown because Emani didn’t mention that she had roommates. I shrug. I’m up for meeting anybody to get to Emani.It’s probably her best friends she mentioned today.

I turn off my car, reach over to the passenger side to grab my suit jacket and flowers and exit the driver’s side. I slide into my dark blue jacket as I adjust the flowers. I want to make a good impression, considering all the mistakes I have to erase.

I still can’t believe she thought I ghosted her. I shake my head.What kind of idiot would ghost a woman like Emani? She’s intelligent, sweet, and has the best pussy I’ve ever had the pleasure of tasting.Just thinking about her makes my dick hard.

I adjust my pants and then stride to the front porch. Emani’s house sits in a nice, quiet, little up and coming neighborhood. It’s cute with manicured lawns and a cozy feel.

I knock on the door and then ring the doorbell. I hear voices inside, and one sounds male, so my guard goes up.

Emani opens the door and she looks spectacular. Before she can get a word out, I take her in my arms and plant a heated kiss on her lips. I nip and caress her mouth until she’s breathless.