From the corners of my eyes, I could see her neck snap in my direction. Zoey held her gaze there before going for the glass and taking another nip.
“I didn’t know that,” she muttered.
I nodded. “I called Eligia, who told me the plan was for Sarah to pick him up.” I shrugged. “I called Sarah and asked if she minded if I brought him. I wanted to spend some alone time with him.” Then my eyes slowly rolled over to a processing Zoey.
“Oh. I didn’t know,” was all she uttered.
There was silence for a while. I didn’t know what that meant, so I went back to the television.
“So, how are you?”
What?
I hadn’t heard that from her in months. I turned to observe Zoey and found her body facing me, expressing openness and reception. This was the woman I knew. The young girl that I grew obsessed with in no time. My Ni?a.
In spite of myself, I found my poise shifting towards her.
“I’ve been better. Just glad to be with good people for Christmas.”
“How’s your uncle? My mom said she tried to reach out to him.” Zoey’s face wrinkled and I caught the first slight slant in her eyes. “He said he already had plans with family friends.”
The Barretts embraced my uncle, Stan, the day they met him at JR’s Christening. I was happy that Zoey took to him, too. He was the only stable family I’d had over the years. I hadn’t realized Sarah attempted to make this an all-inclusive family affair. It doubled my affection for her in an instant.
“He has what I suspect is a girlfriend. He’ll never admit it, but I doubt if I’m wrong.”
She snickered. “Can you blame him? We all need love, no matter the age.”
“This is true. How’s school?”
“It’s going well, I guess. I submitted my application for grad school.”
“Finally.” I shifted in my upper body, equally intrigued and excited about the news. Zoey had charted her path. “I’m happy. How are you feeling about it?”
She shrugged, twisting her lips. “Wharton is different from Princeton. The culture is more extravagant. I’d be in class with so many descendants of established enterprises rather than first generation college graduates like myself. It could be intimidating.” Zoey’s eyes flipped as though a thought occurred. “But don’t worry. If I get in, I’ll be making good on your endowment. I’ll work hard.”
“Though I wouldn’t exactly term it that way, I have no doubt about that, Elizabeth,” I released easily and confidently. “In fact, I’m sure none of your contemporaries have a clue of your insecurities. You never let ‘em see you sweat.”
Not even me.
Zoey’s chest rose. “Really?” Her mask slipped.
“Of course.” I wrinkled my brows with emphasis. “I invest wisely.”
I damn sure do.
“Well, you don’t in your off season training. Your jump shot sucks, dude.”
I couldn’t fight my erupting laughter. Zoey was a fucking riot.
“I guess you can’t have it all.” I tossed my hands and shrugged.
Just then, Michael entered the room with Bernard right behind him.
“Zoey, did your mom say where Bernard will be sleeping?”
I watched as Bernard assessed Zoey’s proximity to me, then the room. His hands were tucked into his khaki pants. He wore a short ass sweater jacket and loafers.
“Ummmm…” Zoey pondered out loud.
“Right next door to me where Jordan was supposed to stay.” I interrupted, happy as hell that my room was between Zoey’s and where Bernard’s lame ass would be sleeping.
“Oh, okay.” Michael addressed Bernard. “There you are. I’m going to be getting to bed. I’m sure Sister Barrett has loads for me to do in honor of our grandbaby’s first Christmas. I’m already dreading assembling at least five different toys that I may toss to his dad there.” He patted Bernard’s shoulder and paid Zoey and me one last parting glance and neck bow before leaving the room.
“Bernard, the room is the last one to the right of that hall right there,” Zoey instructed, seeming to know the grounds.
“Zoey, you mind if I speak to you before turning in?”