Page 21 of Emani's Way

I don’t want to throw fuel on the fire, but Emani is so uncomfortable I can’t help but want to save her. I stride over to her, wrap my arm around her waist, and pull her to me. I kiss the top of her head like I’ve been doing it for years, and she relaxes against me.

“It’s alright, Sugar. Your parents are just concerned. There’s no need to be embarrassed.”

A loud throat clearing garners all of our attention. This Darrius character is standing with eyes full of fury, and they’re zeroed in on Emani. I instinctively step in front of her and fold my arms over my chest.

“I did not come over here to be introduced to some guy Emani is cheating on me with!” He yells with his fists balled at his sides.

“Darrius, calm down son. I wasn’t aware of the circumstances. I didn’t mean to put you in this position,” Mrs. Jackson softly says.

It’s the first time since I’ve been here that she isn’t shooting daggers at anyone. It makes me wonder who really wanted Emani and Darrius together.

“Listen, as wonderful as this impromptu visit has been, Maddox and I have dinner reservations. So, we’ll have to have this really awkward discussion at a later time. Or never,” Emani mumbles the last part, but I heard her.

Dr. Jackson nods and shakes my hand, kisses his daughter’s cheek, then ushers his wife and the asshole out of Emani’s house. I could tell that both Mrs. Jackson and the jackass wanted to argue, but Dr. Jackson rushed them out.

Once the door closes behind them, Emani looks at me and lets out the loudest sigh I’ve ever heard anyone make.

“You okay, Sugar?” I approach Emani as if she were a skittish animal.

I don’t know the backstory of her parent’s arrival or why they thought it was their business who Emani was dating, but I could tell that Emani was caught off guard. Hell, she looked surprised to see me, and she knew I was coming.

“I’m good. Areyouokay? Our first official date, and my parents and my ex ambushed you.” Emani rolls her eyes and shakes her head.

But I’m focused on only one thing in that sentence. “Ex? That d-bag is your ex?”

Now, don’t get me wrong, I know Emani is a grown ass woman, and as beautiful as she is, of course, she’s going to have exes. And I heard the weird comments about her not calling him. But the thought of him being her former man doesn’t sit right with me.

“I’m just wondering what you mean byex…” I raise my eyebrow as I crowd her space.

I push my body against hers as she leans against her front door. Emani’s body fits so perfectly with mine I almost forget about my annoyance.

“He’s not really an ex. We only went out on one date.” Emani bats her long lashes at me as she slides her hands up around my neck.

“Uh huh. One date, and he’s over here with your parents?”

“They knew him first. From church, to be exact. And from the looks of it, you knew my father first as well, so…” Emani trails off, but she’s right. I know her father.

However, I only know that he and my dad have been friends for years, and Dr. Jackson is on our client list although we’ve never represented him in court for any reason.

“I’m going to assume that Darrius is a ‘good fit’ in the church,” I say using air quotes.

Emani nods, “Yeah, but he doesn’t fit with me. Anyway, I’m tired of talking about this foolishness. I’m ready for our date.”

“Alright, sunshine. Let’s go.”

I let the subject drop because obviously, Emani isn’t interested in Darrius. It’s time I took her out on the date that I’ve been planning in my head since the night I met her.

***

I’m a grown man, and I’m entirely too old to have jitters from taking a woman out on a date, but I want to impress Emani. After our lunch date, I had the P.A. make reservations at one of my favorite places to eat.

I was a little thrown off by the unexpected meeting of the parents and an ex, but at least I know where I stand. Dr. Jackson is easy, but Mrs. Jackson is going to take a lot of work. I swear that woman is made out of ice.

My phone vibrates for the millionth time tonight, but instead of answering it, I put it on silent. If Emani notices my phone constantly going off, she doesn’t comment.

“My mother keeps calling me,” I say as I show her the phone.

“Parents,” she says, then smirks. We share a chuckle as I slide my phone back into the cupholder.