Page 65 of Search My Soul (Taylor Family Saga #3)

“Come on, Juicy. You’ve had plenty of time to get dressed, girl.

” Soul fussed as I sat at my vanity in my bra and underwear.

He walked into the room, and I turned my head to observe him.

He looked so handsome, even though he was only dressed in a black and white polo and some black jeans.

His hair was freshly cut, and the diamond earrings he wore sparkled under the light.

“Damn, you’re fine as hell. You got a girlfriend?” I flirted. Soul couldn’t help but smile as he stepped closer to me. I puckered my lips out for him to kiss, and he leaned down to meet me halfway.

“I have a woman, but she’s about to get left behind if she doesn’t hurry her ass up.” His lips smashed against mine one more time before he turned to walk over to his dresser to grab his watch.

“I’ll be ready in ten minutes, babe. I’m putting on my setting spray, then all I have to do is throw on my clothes.” Soul stood behind me, and I could see his facial expression in the mirror.

“Now I know you’re lying. Over here sounding like the Asian lady at Happy House whenever we ask how long the food is gonna take.

You have fifteen minutes, Juicy. Otherwise, I’m leaving you, and you’re gonna have to drive yourself to the party.

My nana doesn’t play about her birthday, and she will cuss us both out if we’re late. ”

“Okay, baby. Have a little faith in me.” I giggled after I said those words, and he threw his hands up in defeat. I was always late to every function I went to, but I would try my hardest not to be late to this one. I knew how important this day was.

“I’ll be downstairs,” Soul grumbled as he stood in the doorway.

“I can’t believe you’re acting like this. I’m not gonna be late. I promise.”

“And what do I get if you fail the mission?”

“You already have the best gift there is. Me. Now watch me work.”

“You’re so full of shit. I love your petty ass though.”

“I love you more, big daddy.” I winked at him, but he gave me the middle finger.

I ended up being a couple of minutes late, but if you ask me, I still did really well.

When we made it to the party, everyone was having a good time.

His grandparents were so adorable, but their aura screamed hood royalty.

The party was held at an event center, and whoever they hired did an incredible job with the decorations.

The color theme was black and white, and everyone looked so good.

Even though this wasn’t a formal event, you could tell by their clothes that everyone here had money.

“Hey, Auntie Juicy!” The sound of her voice instantly caused me to smile.

“Hey, Romi girl.” I giggled as she pulled the chair back and plopped down right next to me.

“So listen. I’ve been thinking about this for a while now, and I’ve decided that I’m okay with you marrying my uncle Soulie.

You’re way prettier than all of the other trolls that he used to hang out with, and you don’t smell like tuna.

My gigi said it’s not normal for girls to smell like tuna, but the lady who spoke to him at the mall did.

” I tried to stifle my laughter, but I failed miserably.

“You are too much. How do you know I want to marry your uncle?”

“Well, if you don’t want to marry him, there are a bunch of other girls who do.

When I went with my mommy to get our nails done, the ladies on the other side of us were talking about how fine he was.

They said he looks like he talks you through it.

I don’t know what that means, but I think it’s a good thing.

One of them said he was a horse, and I told them that wasn’t very nice.

My momma told me to stay in a kid’s place.

She always says that though.” My jaw dropped as I tried to find the right words to respond with.

“Hey, sis. I know this little girl is probably over here talking your ear off.” Patience came over and kissed my cheek. She had been running around making sure everything was going well for the party. I hadn’t seen her sit down yet.

“Hey, boo. You already know how my girl is. She was filling me in on the latest gossip at the nail shop.” Patience shot Romi a look, but baby girl paid her no mind as she applied some lip gloss to her already glossed lips.

“My brothers are a hot topic whenever we go. I’ve been dealing with it my whole life, and it never gets any better.

I don’t even bother to react anymore.” Patience was such a beautiful woman, and her blonde pixie cut only enhanced her features.

The men in their family were handsome, but we couldn’t count out the women. They were all drop-dead gorgeous.

“You did your thing with the food. You need to open up a restaurant or something.”

“Everyone tells me that. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, but for some reason, I keep putting it off.”

“I don’t see why. You’ve got a great talent, and a lot of people would pay for some good home cooking.

What’s the worst that could happen?” I inquired.

Every time there was a family function, Patience was always the one who cooked.

With all the other businesses their family owns, it made me wonder why she hadn’t opened up her own restaurant or at least a food truck.

“I don’t know. I guess it’s the fear of failure.

My mama was an amazing cook, and we always told her that she should open up her own restaurant.

She even purchased the building and everything, but she never got a chance to see it through.

” The sadness in her voice broke my heart.

You could tell that after all these years, they were still struggling with the loss of their parents.

A part of me felt guilty for not having a relationship with my parents, but it wasn’t my fault.

However, when I saw people who were struggling with the loss of their parents, it made me realize that I never knew what it felt like to be loved by the people who gave birth to me.

I’m sure my father loved me to some degree, but it wasn’t the kind of love I needed.

Meanwhile, Rochelle treated me worse than a stranger on the street.

When I looked around the room and saw all of the love and laughter shared amongst their family, it made me jealous.

This was something I always wanted, and it was hard to wrap my mind around the fact that I would never be able to experience something like this.

The Taylors were feared in the streets, but in the privacy of their own home, they were some of the most loving people I’ve ever encountered.

Even when they didn’t get along, they still showed up for one another.

Puma, Normandee, and I all came from dysfunctional families, so I just assumed that it was normal.

However, being around the Taylors made me realize that this was what family was supposed to look like.

Laughter, happiness, and unconditional love.

“Do you guys still own the building?”

“Yeah, we do. Pure stays on my ass about using it, but I don’t know. What if I open up a restaurant and it fails? Then not only would I be disappointing myself, but I would be disappointing my mother’s honor as well.”

“You can’t think like that. For one, you have a lot of talent, and you went to school for culinary arts, so it’s not like you aren’t certified to do this.

I think you just need to stop allowing fear to get in the way of your dreams and just go for it.

You already had an advantage because you have a whole army of people behind you ready to support you.

And even if you do experience highs and lows, which a lot of people do, it doesn’t make you a failure. ”

“You’re right. I’ve got to stop doubting myself and go for it.

Thank you for that. My family tells me all the time that I need to step on faith, but I guess I needed to hear it from someone else.

My brother is really lucky to have someone like you in his corner.

” She smiled as she placed her hand over mine.

“I think I’m the lucky one. Being around you guys makes me feel whole, if that makes sense.

I get to experience what it’s like to have a family, even though you’re technically not mine.

I don’t know if we will be together for the long haul, but I appreciate the time that I’ve gotten to spend around you all. ”

“Girl, bye. You and Soul are definitely endgame. Plus, my brother is a whole nut case. I don’t think you stand a chance of trying to leave him.

” Patience giggled, although I knew there was a bit of truth in her words.

We joked a lot about him never letting me go, but I honestly prayed things between us would last. This was the first meaningful relationship I’ve ever had and has changed me in so many ways.

My only fear was that my secrets would come back and ruin everything.

“Well, we’re just as happy to have you in the family.

Believe it or not, Soul used to be really distant when it came to family functions.

He has always considered himself an outsider, but I never saw it that way.

Family can be complicated at times, you know?

We may not have understood one another, but the love between us will never change.

I honestly feel like you’ve got a lot to do with him coming around more, and I’m grateful.

I love all of my siblings, and they all play an intricate role in my life.