Page 78 of The Phyre that Burns

“How?”

“I want it to be a surprise.”

“How’s that going to work?”

“Let me handle everything. Just let me know when you’re ready to tell them and give me a week. I’ll handle everything else.”

“Okay. Let me think about it, and I’ll tell you tomorrow.”

“Cool. Now, I know I’ve been in therapy, but I’m still a work in progress.”

“I’ve been praying that everything goes smoothly. Hopefully, God isn’t too busy tonight.”

“I can definitely say that I’ve never felt more mentally prepared to deal my father and Kavia. I can always tolerate my mother, but I do and say things to her for shock value, so I’ll do my best not to do that tonight.”

“I’m proud of you, baby.”

“Don’t be proud yet. Let’s get through the evening first.”

We arrived at the venue, and I pulled up to the entrance. Two valets approached either side of my car. One of them helped Ginae out, while the other took my keys and gave me a card with a number on it. I walked around the back of the car to where Ginae waited and took her hand.

“You ready?” I asked, and she nodded.

Once inside, I saw the usual suspects. From what I could tell at first glance, the members ofThe Black Collectivewere present and accounted for. On our way to find my mother, we were stopped by several people. Instead of introducing Ginae as my fiancée, I introduced her as my future wife. Regardless of what had transpired between us two months ago, marriage was the goal.

I spotted my mother talking to a group of her guests. As we got closer, our eyes connected, and she excused herself and met us halfway.

“Happy Birthday, Ma. You look beautiful, as usual.”

“Thank you, Son.”

“Happy Birthday, Mrs. Jordan. It’s nice to see you again.”

My mother looked Ginae up and down, and I braced myself for what she would say.

“Thank you. I was wondering if you were still around.”

Ginae smiled uncomfortably. “Here I am.”

“Anyway. There is a table over there for gifts, and you’re sitting at table one with the family. Please don’t ruin my day by arguing with your father.”

“I’ll do my best.”

“Thank you. I have more guests to greet, but dinner will be served promptly at 6:30.

She saw one of her friends and floated in their direction.

“That wasn’t so bad,” I said.

“It could’ve been worse,” Ginae responded.

“Let’s go sit. My dad isn’t the social butterfly that my mother is, so he’s probably already seated. Hopefully, Phoenix and Kevin are there to help ease some of the tension.”

“When was the last time you saw your father?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know, about six or seven months.”

“Wow.”