Page 65 of Love Always, Nova Black

“Mmhmm, you say that now. But when they start grilling you and saying off the wall shit, you’ll be looking me upside my head begging me to save you.”

“Damn, it’s like that?”

“Yes!”

He let out another chuckle as we made our way onto the front porch. “Trust me, you’ve made me well aware of how your family is. I know how to handle them.”

“If you say so.”

“Relax,” he said before giving me a nice hard tap on the ass.

Giggling, I turned my head over my shoulder. “Don!”

“What? I’m just trying to help you release some of that anxiety you got.”

“Yeah, well, it’s going to take a lot more than some ass slaps to get the job done. I never know what to expect when it comes to them. The shit makes me crazy nervous.”

“Don’t worry. I got you later on.”

Tucking my bottom lip between my teeth I turned to face him and reached for his hands. “Oh yeah?”

“Most definitely. When you’re relaxed, I’m relaxed.”

“Thanks, babe,” I said while lowering his head to kiss him.

“Well, well, well.” Kendra grinned as she opened the screen door. “Look at the happy couple. Now, this is what I like to see.”

I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face as I shrugged. “What can I say? I’ve been blessed with the best.”

“Aw, I’m so happy for you.”

“Thanks, cousin.”

We pulled each other into a hug before laughing and looking each other over.

“That’s a cute necklace,” Kendra said, admiring the diamond-studded butterfly that rested in the center of my chest.

“Thanks, girl. Just a little gift I bought for myself. I’ve really been into butterflies lately.”

“Yeah, I noticed. I saw the butterfly tattoo on your ass cheek.”

“Ass cheek?” Don questioned while taking a step back as if he could see anything through the light denim jeans I was wearing. “I don’t remember seeing a butterfly.”

“She’s kidding, Don. I haven’t even got that yet.”

“Well, I would love to be there when you do get it,” he said.

“I bet you would.” Kendra giggled. “No worries. I’m not going to let no fine ass tattoo artist grip on your woman’s butt cheeks all day.”

“Cut it out. This is supposed to be about the damn butterfly, not my butt.”

“Sorry, babe, tell me more about the butterfly,” he replied. “Why are you choosing it?”

“Because it represents change for me. I’ve experienced a lot of change over these last few months. Some good, some bad. But it’s all been necessary to get me where I need to go, and this is my way of embracing that.”

Kendra clasped her hands together. “And hopefully, she’ll be experiencing an even bigger change sooner rather than later. Meaning, that dick she has for a husband is going to send her some signed divorce papers.”

Don lifted his hand. “Fingers crossed.”