Page 63 of Devanté
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
“This is nice and everything, D but cut to the chase. Why’d you really invite us all to your house?” Janet took a sip of the frozen margarita I made for everyone. I invited her and my parents over to let them know I wanted to move to LA to be closer to my businesses…and Blake.
Money wasn’t an object so there was no reason for me not to pick up and go where I wanted. Not only was it an inevitable and smart business move, it meant I’d see my best friend every day. It would be like the old days.
“Damn, Jay. Can I butter y’all up first?” I smiled, rubbing my hands together. I glanced at Mom while she was busy staring out at the glittering waters of the San Francisco Bay from the window.
“Sorry. I’m just nosey.”
“Yeah, no kidding.”
“So, what’s up, Devanté?” Dad asked, relaxing on the couch. “I know it’s something. I can tell by looking at that grin on your face. It’s a girl, isn’t it?”
A laugh tore from me, bright and telling. My father could always see right through me but I didn’t make it exceptionally hard. I was an open book for whoever cared to read.
“Ooh, it’s a girl alright,” Janet snickered into her glass. Mom’s eyes settled on me and her eyebrow lifted.
“Please, God tell me it’s not that Renee girl. I can’t stand her,” Mom grumbled. “The baby is adorable though.”
“Oh, hell nah,” I frowned. “Never her.”
“Then who?” Mom quizzed, leaning forward. The smile on my sister’s lips taunted me. I could practically hear Blake’s name on her tongue.
After leaving LA and coming back to the Bay, I told Janet about what happened between Blake and me. She wasn’t shocked in the least. She cheered me on and was happy that it finally happened.
I didn’t know if my parents would feel the same way. They both looked at Blake like a daughter when we were friends. Even after the incident in college with Gabi, Blake still kept in touch with Mom and Dad sending them anniversary, birthday, and holiday cards. Hell, our mothers still hung out and were best friends. The same went for our fathers.
Blake and I may have been separated for eight long years but that didn’t stop the party between our families. Bonds like that weren’t easily broken. Seemed like the bond between Blake and I wasn’t as easily broken as we thought either.
“Okay, D…you’ve kept everyone waiting long enough. Let’s hear it.” Janet snapped her slender fingers at me, wagging her foot and grinning like she stole something.
“I’m moving to LA within the month. I’ve already put my realtor on the ground out there and she has a list of places for me to check out.” I heard the sigh in my parents’ voices. I saw the cautious quiet look they shared too.
“You’re moving to LA for a woman?” My mother asked.
“It’s not for a woman…exactly.” I tipped my head to the side as I weighed my words. “You know most of the businesses I’ve invested in are in LA. Imperial has an office out there and…”
“And?” Janet chortled.
“And…while I was out there signing a deal with a company I ran into Blake and we reconnected.”
Mom and Dad made sounds of sudden understanding. “So, Blake is the woman in question, huh? About damn time,” Mom smirked.
“I thought they were never gonna speak again. Blake cut that boy off at the knees and he’s been walking around on nubs ever since.”
“Dad,” I groaned, rubbing my face. Janet snickered in the corner while finishing her margarita.
“What? It’s true. She thought you set her up back in college, right? She walked out of your life and you’ve been scrambling around ever since.”
“I wouldn’t say scrambling. I’ve made some pretty big moves in the past eight years.” I straightened my spine and widened my smile. I was always humble but I was never afraid of compliments or the spotlight.
“Uh-huh,” Mom muttered. “She knocked the wind out of you and the only thing you could do after that was bury yourself in work. I’m glad Blake is back. I was worried about your personal life.”
“Why?” I asked.
“Because you haven’t had any fun since you became this big-name model. You’re all business and floozies nothing in between,” Mom fussed. Janet sat her glass down and smacked her lips together.
“Ma, floozies? Is this the eighties? Did we time warp?”
