Page 70 of Flame
“I’ve never brought a woman to a family dinner, least of all the one I’m marrying.”
A cheeky grin settles over my lips. “Is that so?”
“Don’t get cocky.”
“I would’ve but you refused to let me have it.”
He shakes his head, chuckling.
“Are you sure I look okay?” I ask, running my hands down the black linen shorts and emerald-green shirt that Astrid had delivered. “Am I underdressed? Overdressed? I have no idea what I’m supposed to wear.”
Foxx grins sweetly. “You are absolutely beautiful, Bianca. And that has nothing to do with the clothes you have on.”
The bridge of my nose pinches like it does just before my eyes cloud with tears. I fan my face to try to ward them off.
“This mascara isn’t waterproof, so don’t make me cry,” I say, sniffling.
“Why would that make you cry?” He laughs, leading me up the steps. “I don’t understand you.”
“It’s a good thing we’ll have the rest of our lives to get to know each other, my love.”
He pulls open the door, amused as I step inside the house.
A barrage of voices fills the house. Conversations and laughter mix with the sounds of running water. The home is warm—both with spices and spirit.
“Wait.” I point at a pillow on the couch and laugh. “Does that sayWe had sex here?”
“Jess.”
As if that answers the question, he keeps walking.
My stomach forms the smallest knot as I stick close to my fiancé. We enter the kitchen and dining area, and my jaw drops.
I’ve heard people comment on how attractive the men are in my family. I’ve heard it many times. And it might be because I’m related to my brothers, so I don’t see what the fuss is about, but they don’t hold a candle to the Carmichael men.
They all look so similar—just variations on the same schematic. It’s as if God said, “Well, I nailed it the first time, so I’ll make this one slightly taller, that one slightly darker, that one gets a little lighter hair.” They’re so beautiful it’s hard to think straight, let alone find words.
Kixx and a woman who can’t possibly be Foxx’s mother reach us first. They both seem delighted to see me.
“Well, there she is,” Kixx says, pulling me in for a quick hug. “It’s good to see you again, Bianca.”
“Likewise.”
“You know my dad,” Foxx says. “This is my mother, Damaris.”
Her bottom lip quivers as she pulls me into a long, warm embrace. “It’s so nice to meet you, Bianca. You have no idea.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Carmichael. Thank you for inviting me over for dinner.”
“Mrs. Carmichael?” She pulls away, swatting the air. “I’m Damaris. Or Mom. Or whatever you want to call me. But considering you’ll be Mrs. Carmichael tomorrow, too, it seems odd for you to call me that.”
She beams.
“You’ll be Mrs. Carmichael tomorrow, too.” I take a shaky breath.
Foxx slides his arm around the small of my back. A small gasp escapes my lips at the contact. He presses his fingers into my side, and instead of calming me like I think it’s supposed to, it electrifies my insides.I really wish we would’ve practiced this before we left his house.
“Everyone, this is my fiancée, Bianca,” Foxx says.
