Page 165 of Invisible Bars

“Cool. Just tell me when to show up for the celebration toast,” she quipped before giving me a wink. “You good, sis? You handled that better than most would’ve. You didn’t even flip a plate.”

I smiled, shaking my head. “On-only because I knew y’all would’ve joined in.”

“Damn right!” Dessign shouted.

Imanio’s father chuckled, then turned to me with a softer expression.

“I realize we didn’t really get a chance to properly meet the other day. Maybe we can try that introduction again sometime... over tea. Imanio mentioned you’re a fan."

“I… I am. And I’d like that.”

He nodded. “Just let Imanio know when you’re available and we’ll set up a date. You two have a good night.”

I nodded. “You too.”

“Aye, Pops? You staying here tonight?” Imanio asked.

“Son, I don’t have five other houses for nothing.”

That was his way of saying, “Hell nah!”

"Goodnight, y’all! And Naji, you look too pretty to just go home and cry your makeup off!" Dessign said, hunching her brows at Imanio with a smirk that screamed 'take the damn hint.'

Then, with all the flair of a Vegas showgirl, she pressed a button on her chair, blasted "Ridin’ Spinners," and her chair lit up like a damn parade float. The rims on Dessign’s chair spun, lights blinked like a rave, and she saluted us both like she just won Miss Wheelchair Universe.

“I hate I got her that damn chair now. She shows the fuck out,” Imanio playfully said then turned to me slowly, his voice low and warm.

“You okay? I didn’t know she invited them. I swear. This wasn’t the plan.”

“It’s… it’s okay. I know.” My voice wavered. “But she hates me… just like I figured she would.”

My shoulder jerked hard, and my fingers tapped anxiously against my ear before the words tumbled out without warning.

“Ha! Ha! Blood racoon! I-I didn’t ask to be-be in this damn movie!”

Imanio just let me have the moment, then he said, “Hell, me neither,” his voice dry and slightly amused. “I didn’t audition for the part, didn’t get a script, didn’t even get a roll to eat.”

Imanio wasn’t the humorous type, so I knew he said that to lift my spirits, and that meant more than he probably realized. I appreciated it… deeply.

I let out a shaky laugh, watery and grateful.

Imanio stepped closer; one hand came up to cradle my cheek, thumb brushing gently just under my eye.

“For real, you don’t need her to want to,” he murmured. “You got me, aight?”

I nodded, but he wasn’t satisfied with that. He studied my face, reading the thoughts I didn’t say aloud.

“Look, Naji,” he started, “don’t let someone like her shake you. My mama’s been barking for decades; that doesn’t mean she bites. She’s just loud… real loud. But she ain’t got the kind of power to move you… not anymore. She doesn’t see you, Naji… just like a lot of these other muthafuckas, butIdo, and I have… since day one of meeting you,” he confessed.

My chest fluttered a little, not from nerves, but from him.

“So are you good now?” he asked.

I stepped in close, my fingers brushing the edge of his collar, eyes rising to meet his.

“I’m okay now.”

Then… I kissed him.