Time for Love (Book Four to New Flame)

Cookout & Business Out

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Amory

It was Saturday: the day after I declined Jakari's marriage proposal. I dreaded today, because Chris and my aunt, Nae, were throwing a huge cookout for friends and family. I knew Jakari would be there. I wasn't going to not show my face last minute, because it would make it obvious something was up.

"You need any help with anything, Auntie?" I asked A'Jahnae as she cut up green peppers and onions.  

"No, baby, thank you, though." It was I, my mom, and A'Jahnae in the kitchen.  Jayde was watching Nickelodeon with Nile, and Chris and Trey were firing the grill up.  "You know where Jakari is?" 

"He's um.. I think, picking up some ice, I guess." I trailed off, looking outside at the backyard.  

"What's the matter with you? Usually, you're excited to talk about the boy, now you all silent." My mom asked checking the macaroni and cheese in the oven.  

"Bitch, I swear you better not burn my shit." A'Jahnae said to my mom shaking her head. 

"Nobody is burning yo Kraft cheese ass macaroni and cheese." They both laughed. 

"Nothing is wrong, Ma... it's just, I really did imagine myself, ya know... being on better terms with Jayde's father. I have seen you with Trey for forever, and I just hoped that played out like it did for me." I sighed, looking down.  

My mom and aunt both looked at each other. "Well, you two DID make my granddaughter at sixteen years old. I am not sure what you really expected, Amory. That isn't always the time you meet the person you spend the rest of your life with." My mom shrugged. 

"Well, do not go off what your mother is saying because I and your uncle met at that age, and we are still together." A'Jahnae stepped in. "And honestly, if it has anything to do with infidelity or anything, it's a matter of what you'll put up with depending on how much you love them." 

The conversation was cut short when N'Aejah came into the kitchen. "Ma, is Aaron and Uncle Aug coming over?" 

"Yeah, and Heather." A'Jahnae replied. 

"You need to stop playing and date that lil boy." I pinched her cheek, laughing. 

"You need to stop playing with my brother." She pinched mine back, walking back out the kitchen.  I stopped laughing looking at my mom and aunt, them both laughing.  

A'Jahnae

"Bae, y'all need to stop playing in the kitchen so we can start grilling." Chris came in, kissing my cheek. "How is my baby doing?" He rubbed my stomach looking over my shoulder as Trey came in. 

"Listen, you albino smurf, you going to wait until these burgers are seasoned!" My sister sprinkled steak seasoning on the burgers. 

"Nae, why is Kim Jong-Un's daughter talking to me?" Chris whispered loud enough so that she could hear.  He laughed as she hit him in the head. 

"Y'all need to stop," I laughed, "Babe, you can do the steaks now." I gave him the pan of seasoned, raw steaks.  We were making burgers, hot dogs, steaks, BBQ chicken, baked beans, Mexican street corn on the cob, potato salad and macaroni and cheese. 

"We gotta talk too." He looked me dead in my eyes. 

"Okay, well, give the steaks to Trey. Trey, it'll only be quick. I rather talk to him before people come, anyway." Trey nodded going back outside. I and Chris walked passed Jayde and Nile watching Spongebob and went into his in home studio on the other side of the house.