Page 17 of Mark My Words

His mom gasped. “But I thought you were marrying the other girl?”

Malik’s face twisted. That reminded him that he needed to call Stormi because he’d yet to see a news report of her clearing this whole thing up.

“You don’t even know her name.”

Mrs. Jernigan shrugged. “I don’t trust her.”

Malik arched a brow.

“What? A mother knows these things. Destiny was my girl.”

“Do you hear yourself?”

Mrs. Jernigan sighed. “I do. And if I can confess this, just know I’ve regretted what I did for a long time. I hated that my relationship became strained with Destiny.” Her voice lowered. “She was a sweet girl. I…” she sighed. “I’m going to make this right.”

Mrs. Jernigan left the hallway, then returned a few minutes later with her keys in hand and bonnet removed. “I had to turn off my greens.”

“Where are you going?”

“To do something, I should’ve done a long time ago.”

They walked to the door, and Malik held it open for her. “I meant to ask, who’s car is in the driveway?”

“Mine.”

Malik touched her shoulder. “Since when do you drive?”

“I’ve had someone teach me.”

“Who?”

“A teacher.”

Malik studied her. “Are you keeping secrets?”

“A man, if you must know. But we’re just friends, so I don’t want to hear any more about it.”

“Just like that, you think you can end this type of conversation?”

“We’re just friends.”

“Mm-hmm, just friends.”

Mrs. Jernigan locked her door.

“I can drive you over Destiny’s if that’s where you’re going.”

“Of course it is, but this is something I need to do without you. I don’t want her to think you put me up to it. Like I said, I should’ve done it a long time ago. This is on me.”

Chapter Seven

“Mrs. Jernigan!”

Destiny’s face brightened. It had been a long time since she and Malik’s mother were in the same vicinity, let alone the same room. Yet, here she was, standing on Destiny’s porch looking like she hadn’t aged a day since the last time they saw each other.

A breeze slipped through the door, but the air was heated from the midday sun.

“Can I come in?”

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