"LEILAAAA!!!!" Mama shouted as she tightly embraced my mutual form. "I was hoping you'd be here."
"Happy birthday, Mama. You look beautiful."
"Thank you, baby." We pulled away to fully greet each other.
"Look at you. You look nowhere near fifty."
"Girl, you know that black don't crack. Come on now. Oh! You brought food. At least someone came with something."
"Huh?" I asked in confusion.
"Oh nothing, baby. Come in the house. Imani and Nia are waiting for you." She lugged me by my arm.
Before I fully went inside, I noticed there were tables with different variations of food around. "Oh, mama. Give me a second to put this baked Mac and cheese down."
"Okay, sweetheart. Take your time. We'll be in here."
I nodded and carefully walked towards the table. It probably wasn't a good idea to wear heels in the grass. When Mama invited me, I was a little skeptical about coming, but I really enjoy being around her and her family. It's like a homey feeling. Her sons are like annoying cousins in a way. Oh! Speaking of.
"Dom, you don't know what you're doing. Let me hop on the grill." I hear the one with longer hair say to Domenico.
"Hey boys!" I greeted.
They all spun around and my attention was instantly caught by the one who appears to be my ex fiancé. It's been a long time since we've seen each other. He looks a lot better than our last encounter. "Sweet baby, Lei! What's going on, girl?" Romeo hugged me along with Domenico.
"Tesoro." He kissed my cheek.
I hope I don't get this wrong. "Um... Darrian right?"
Romeo chuckled to himself amusingly. "Damn."
"Damian." He corrected and shook my hand.
"I-I'm sorry. I'm still working on... you know." I tapped the side of my head.
His body language was fully on me now. "Right. It's uh... good to see you. Lila right?"
Oh, so he think he got jokes for real. Giving sassy energy are we? He must still be hurting. "Mm. Leila, darling." Domenico and Romeo watched with interesting eyes at our uncomfortable communication. I cleared my throat. "Why don't I go meet up with the rest of the family."
"We'll be right here, Leila." Domenico stated.
"Okay." I smiled highly, not letting Damian's sassiness faze me any longer. "Nice seeing you again... Damian." I gracefully walked away, confidently swaying my hips. Knowing he's still watching.
I opened the back door that led to the large kitchen. I found all the girlies drinking wine and gossiping. "Helloooo." I announced.
"BOOKIEEEEE!!!" Nia shouted.
I was just excited as she was. "HEY STINKAAA!!" I haven't seen my best friend since I left for my three month trip to Hawaii. Which was a few so months ago? Maybe? I don't know I've kind of been a little distracted lately.
We grasped onto each other. "Damn, bitch. Look at all that ass." I turned around and started popping my shit while sticking my tongue out. "Ayyyye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Ahhhhh!!!" Nia hyped.
I giggled. "Where's my sister?"
"She had to show some random girl to the bathroom. She should be down in a minute. How are yooou? I missed you, bookie." She puckered her lower lip.
"Awww, stink. I missed you, too. How's everything with you and Romeo?"
She inhaled deeply. "Girrrl. Don't even get me started. That's a convo for another time. How was your trip?"
"It's was good. Relaxing, even. I ummm..."
"You ummm what?"
"I met someone." More so caught up with an old friend.
"What??? You're telling me know? How dare you? Who is he???" I hate when she asks a billion questions at once.
"Damn, bitch. One question at a time. Thank you."
"I'm sorry. You know I hate being the last one to find out about shit."
"Well you're actually the first person that knows now."
"You fuckin lyin! Where is he? Did you bring him?"
"He more so brought me. He convinced me to come, but I didn't see him when I came in. He's probably running late."
"Wait. Back the fuck up. What you mean he brought you? Is he a part of the family?"
"What's all the commotion?" A pregnant Imani finally arrives with this pretty Italian girl on her side. "Leilaaaa!"
"Imaniiii. Congratulations, honeyyy." She grabs for both my hands first and cautiously hugged her so I wouldn't hurt my nephew she's carrying. "When are you due?"
"Two more months."
"Oooh team Leooos." I can't wait till DJ gets here. "This your friend?" I asked Imani as I sized the new girl.
"I just met her. She's Damian's friend."
"Hi, I'm Ava. I'm actually Damian's girlfriend." Her accent is strong. She goes to shake for my hand until Nia interrupts.
"His what?" Nia cocked her neck to the side.
Ava hesitated. "His... girlfriend?"
"Ohhh is that so? Well, this is the longtime ex girlfriend. Leila." Nia unnecessarily mentioned with an instigating smile on her face.
"Your Leila?" She asked me nervously. He still talks about me? Her innocent eyes tells me she's ready to dart out of here.
"Yup. She is. Ex fiancé actually."
"Nia that's enough." Mama came in. "I guess I'm late to the introduction. Let's go outside and enjoy the weather. It's too gorgeous out there to waste it in here. Shall we?"
I agree. It's getting real awkward in here. The girls and I made our way out to the backyard. There's a lot of people here now. Ava quietly disappeared back to Damian. I'm not gonna lie, a hint of jealousy occurred through my veins. I shouldn't care though. Right?
"So who was this guy you were talking about?" My best friend pulled me safely away from my inadequate thoughts.
"You're dating someone?" Imani asked.
"I am. He should be here."
"He's here? Aww shit. This already smells messy as fuck."
I turned my head to find him over by the grill with the rest of the Romano brothers. "There he is!!"
"Get the fuck outta here!!" Nia snapped. "I know you fuckin lyinnnnn'!!!" She screamed in laughter. "Let's go over there right now." Nia has this wide tooth smile on her face then loops her arm through mine as the three of us went to go greet our men.
"Hey, baby!" He and the rest of the men turned around. Including Damian. When he sees me, his smile brights up.
"Mm. Is that my girl?" Lorenzo smirked. He rests his hands on my waist and pulls me in for a hot and steamy kiss.
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