Page 111 of Treason's Temptation
“It’s nice to meet you. I mean officially,” Navie stammered.
“You really did it this time. Beautiful and smart,” Evie winked at me, still holding Navie’s hands. She fought the urge to snatch away because affection was too much at times, especially when it was as genuine as Evie’s.
“Don’t come fawning all over my lady. Relax,” I joked, taking Navie’s hands back.
“Oh shut up! I can see it now. A baby with Navie’s face. It’ll have dimples just like you did as a baby. Whatever happened to them? Smile for me. Let me see,” Evie urged, and Navie covered her mouth to stifle her laugh.
“Aye,” I shook my head, like I was the parent and Evie the child, “Those dimples are gone. Right where the idea of grand babies needs to be.”
“Mama, don’t start. Not here. He doesn’t want kids, and that’s his right,” Inez jumped to my defense.
“I’m the mother of the mother. I don’t follow rules, I make them,” she fussed with curled lips before they softened, leaning in to whisper. “Now, if you want a girl, I can tell you how to make one.”
Navie was glued to my side, so I heard Evie’s unwanted advice.
“We’re not thinking about babies, but if we change our mind, you’ll be my first call.”
I kissed Navie’s cheek, sneaking in a reminder to relax before I took the stage. The room was warm, filled with familiar faces and a few new ones, ready to hear my speech.
I stepped up to the mic, adjusted it, and looked out at the crowd. “It’s really something. To see this many faces here for an event that’s about uplifting and investing in Black-owned businesses—it says a lot about who we are as a community and what we value.”
Scattered applause followed, but before I could keep going, someone from the middle of the room called out loud and proud, “We’re happy to see you, too. Lawd, you so fine!”
Inez dropped her head, shaking it while the crowd cracked up. I couldn’t help but laugh, too.
“See, now y’all trynna get me in trouble.” Navie shook her head like she didn’t hear it, but I saw that smile sneak in.“I’m already on thin ice for staying up past my bedtime last night.”
Another woman shouted again, “If you were mine, you’d never leave the house!”
The crowd laughed louder at Evie turning in her chair, trying to see whichJezebelwas trying to poach her grandson after giving Navie her stamp of approval.
“See, I came up here to talk about business and community, and y’all over here trying to make me single. My Gram is here today, so y’all have to behave.”
The room hollered while Navie shook her head, whispering something to Evie that caused her to settle down.
“So full transparency. I damn near got put on punishment last night trying to figure out what to say to y’all today.”
A few laughs rolled in while Navie sat, arms crossed, expression unreadable unless you knew her like I did.
“I was in my office working on my speech well past bedtime. I looked up, and she was giving me that look. Y’all know what look I’m talking about too.”
There was more laughter while I tried to settle the crowd.
“Alright, back on the topic before I get in more trouble. Representation isn’t just about who we elect or who’s on TV. It’s about who owns the corner store. Who built the restaurant you’re eating at? Who created the app you use? When our kids see someone who looks like them owning something, building something, it makes that kind of success feel attainable. I hope this place becomes a reflection of what our community can do.”
The conference dragged on with the same boring ass conversations, but all the women wanted to talk about was Navie. I enjoyed the back seat while she struggled in the limelight. Interesting, considering how effortlessly she navigated the night we met, but it was easy to deceive people who wanted to believe the story she was selling.
“So where are we going for lunch?” Evie asked, hijacking my schedule. “It’s the least you can do. I haven’t had my Jamaican Rum French Toast in months.”
Inez and Navie chuckled at her dramatic tone.
“I can’t believe you’re hustlingme. Your favorite grandson.”
“I can’t believe I have to hustle favorite grandson. When I’m dead and gone, you’re gonna miss me.”
“Now, why did you have to go there?” Mom exclaimed.
“Well, it’s true,” Evie shrugged.
