Her face was as red as a fire hydrant, actually, so I know she didn’t miss it. “You, too,” she said with a smile.
I tried not to grin. These two were definitely giving off a vibe. “I’m um…” pausing so they’d both look at me instead of each other. “I’m not sure if AJ told you already, Kai, but he mentioned that you were looking for a temporary assistant, and… well…” I gestured toward Angel like she was the prize on a gameshow, real dramatic-like. “This is her. Angel’s gonna be your assistant.”
They both looked shocked, which I wasn’t sure to gauge as a bad sign or not. What I did notice, however, was that Kai’s casual posture changed a bit and his smile dimmed, like he was now suddenly aware of the fact that he’d soon get to know Angel in a professional capacity. The smile wasn’t gone completely, but something had definitely changed.
“Oh! Okay… well, in that case, I look forward to working with you,” Angel said, trying to recover from the news that the man she’d just been ogling would temporarily be her boss.
“Yes, definitely,” Kai said with a lighthearted tone that now sounded far more businesslike than before. “I look forward to working with you as well,” he concluded.
That was the end of it. Kai went about his business to catch his flight, and Angel didn’t bring up the weird vibe from the introduction. I know I wasn’t imagining things, but we had too much to do, which meant we didn’t do a whole lot of talking after that. The tables finally arrived, the food was all set, and AJ’s mother had relieved Maisha of her babysitting duties. Some of the guests were already here, too. A few of AJ’s colleagues from work, a few of mine whom I’d gotten close to, and Dee and Karl had already called to say they were about ten minutes away.
I hurried upstairs to change my clothes, and came back down just as my parents showed up. I heard my father’s voice before I saw him, causing me to rush down the steps even quicker.
The words “Baby Girl” accompanied my father scooping me up into his arms. A kiss went to my cheek and I did my best not to cry, but it was always like this for me. I wished my parents had taken the same plunge as AJ’s, moving here to be closer, but I couldn’t expect that. My father’s patients were too dependent on him and he was far too dedicated to ever consider it. Still, a girl can dream.
My mother consumed me in her arms next. “I know we were just here a few months ago, but I missed you like it’s been years,” she confessed with a laugh. “Just let me make a fuss over you for a little longer.”
I was content with letting her hold on as long as she wanted to, but the sight of Anthony suddenly changed her focus. I was released and shoved aside like a ragdoll. Me and Daddy burst out laughing as she nearly snatched my son from AJ’s mother’s arms. Emi was used to her by now and just smiled.
My mother kissed all over Anthony for a few seconds and then finally came to her senses and embraced Emi as well. They exchanged compliments on one another’s accessories and shoes for a while and then shifted to talk of the grandson they shared… like always.
“How much longer before my son gets here?” My father asked, referring to AJ. It never got old hearing him call him that—his son.
“Terrell sent Maisha a text and said they should be here in about twenty minutes. Did you guys park around the corner like I said?”
My father nodded. “Yeah, he won’t see the car.”
I nodded. “Good. Do you and mom mind going out onto the patio with everyone else?” I asked.
“Not as long as I can take my baby,” my mother countered, making Emi laugh again.
“Yes, Ma, you can take the baby.”
She grinned and then went willingly.
It dawned on me that I’d left my gift for AJ upstairs, buried deep within the closet. On my way up, I found myself feeling a bit nervous about giving it to him. He was an easy guy to shop for, never particular, but this year I wanted my gift to be special, something he wouldn’t expect.