Page 17 of Five Midnight Moment
The two men shared a smile and shook hands. Valencia and her mother returned a moment later with a tray holding slices of pound cake. Dwayne ate his cake and enjoyed getting to know Valencia’s parents. Afterwards, he thanked them and citing wanting to have Valencia home before the New Year’s shooting began, they left.
“What did my father say to you?” Valencia asked as soon as he got into the car.
He chuckled. “Relax, Lyn. He just wanted to know the usual Dad info when a guy is dating his daughter.”
“He was smiling when we came back, so I guess it didn’t go too bad.”
“Not at all. I think your parents are great. And I know my parents are going to love you.”
“I hope so.”
They got back to her place a few minutes before midnight.
“Do you mind if I change clothes?” Valencia asked the moment they hit the door. “I need to get out of this dress and these heels.”
“Go right ahead.” It would give him time to call his mother. He waited until he heard her close the bathroom door and pulled out his phone. “Hey, Mom,” he said when she picked up.
“Hi, sweetheart. Happy New Year five minutes early.”
Dwayne laughed. “Happy New Year to you. Do you mind if I invite a couple of people over tomorrow?”
“Dwayne, I’ve told you guys every year you can invite your friends. And I hope at least one of those people is a woman.”
“Yes, one is a woman.”
“Hallelujah!”
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Mom.”
“Bye, son.”
He shook his head and disconnected. A thought came to him. He scrolled down his favorites list and hit the call button again.
“Hey.”
“Hey, bro. I need a favor.” Dwayne told Dwight what he needed and his brother readily agreed. “Thanks.”
“No problem. Later.”
He ended the call just before Valencia returned wearing a pair of comfortable sweats and long-sleeved tee.
“Whew. I feel so much better now.” She dropped down on the sofa next to him and clicked on the TV. They caught the ball in its final minute.
They counted down together. “Happy New Year, baby.” He kissed her deeply.
“Same to you.”
He handed her the box.
“Exactly how many of these did you buy?” She shook her head, but was smiling. “I don’t know about you.” She opened the box and gasped softly. “Dwayne, this is…”
“Yes, the key to my heart.” He’d given her a heart key as the final charm.
She launched herself at him, knocking him backwards on the sofa. “I love you!”
“I love you, too,” he said, laughing.
Valencia sat up slightly. “So…about the whole starting the new year as friends thing…I was just playing. I want to start the new year just like this.”
