A/n: since y'all begged for a part 2 😭
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Bey's POV
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Two weeks had passed since that night at my house, and I hadn't seen or heard from Y/n since. Not that I expected to. Not that I wanted to.
But that didn't mean I wasn't thinking about her.
I shook off the thought and focused on the night ahead. Tonight was about my mama, about family, and celebrating another year of her life. The dining room was warm with laughter and conversation, plates being passed around as Kelly cracked a joke about one of Solange's past hairstyles. Angie was sipping on wine, already playfully roasting everyone at the table, and Julez was leaned back in his chair, scrolling on his phone, looking like a grown ass man.
I remember a time where my nephew was still figuring out parallel parking. Now he was modeling and moving like he was grown. Time really didn't wait for nobody.
"Where the hell is Shawn?" Angie asked, cutting into her steak.
"In New York for a business thing." I answered, shaking my head. "He wanted to be here though."
"Mm. Convenient." She teased, making everyone laugh.
My mama shook her head with a knowing smile. "That man always got something going on."
"He do." Kelly agreed, pointing her fork. "But you know he's a workaholic. Can't sit still too long."
"Sounds familiar." Michelle teased, nudging me playfully.
I rolled my eyes, but smiled. "Y'all not about to put that on me."
Julez finally looked up. "Ain't he supposed to be back next week or somethin'?"
"That's what he said." I shrugged. "We'll see if 'business' lets him."
The private chef, a man named Marcus, stepped towards us, wiping his hands on a towel. "How's everything tasting?" He asked, his deep voice carrying through the room.
"Amazing." Mama praised. "I need you to come cook for me every Sunday."
Marcus laughed. "You let me know, Miss T, and I'll be here."
"I ain't never had lamb this good." Kelly said, shaking her head. "You snapped."
"I try." Marcus said humbly, giving a small nod before retreating back towards the kitchen.
Blue, resting her elbows on the table, suddenly asked, "Can I have some more mac and cheese?"
Marcus, overhearing, was already on it, bringing the dish over. "Here you go, young superstar."
Blue grinned. "Thank you."
My mama laughed. "She eat like her mama used to when she hit her teenage years."
"I did not used to eat like that." I frowned.
Blue sat up proudly, speaking before my mama could say anything else. "A girl gotta eat."
"Ain't that right, Blue." Michelle said, pointing her fork.
The conversation kept flowing, laughter filling the space. But even with all the familiar comfort, I suddenly felt the edge of something unsettled. I wasn't sure why, but I knew exactly who had me feeling that way.
And then the front door opened.
I didn't think anything of it at first. Maybe it was another family friend stopping by. But when I heard the footsteps approaching the dining room, when I saw the way everyone's eyes widened and the room suddenly fell into a hush, I knew.
