Page 25 of Ember
“Whether Casimir is a thot or not, has nothing to do with what I have going on with Tucker.” Danica interrupted before an argument got started.
“And what, dear sister, is it that you have going on?” Miesha countered.
Danica closed her mouth with a snap, unsure of how to answer that question. Pushing a hand through her hair, a sigh escaped her plump lips. “We’re just friends. He makes me feel better.”
It almost pained her to say it. The way Danica enjoyed Tucker’s presence was so good that it should have been a sin. Especially since more often than not it took her mind off of Amad. She would never forget him completely, but she’d slowly stopped obsessing over the things she could or could not have done to save him.
“I’m happy that you’re opening back up to the idea of a relationship, sis,” Casimir said, digging into the popcorn bowl. “But I want you to be careful at the same time. Don’t rush into something just to use it as a crutch to get over the past.”
“Okay, Negative Ned,” Miesha frowned. “That’s not what she’s doing. Clearly, they’re destined to be together. I mean, what are the odds that after the accident…”
“Miesh,” Dani interrupted, throwing a hand into the air. “Let me stop you right there. This isn’t some fairytale love story. If anything, we were pushed together by tragedy.”
“Which makes the love all that more sweeter. Nobody will understand you two the way you understand each other.”
“Well if you’re done with that sappy ass bullshit,” Casimir snorted. “Can we get to the movie? We’ll deal with Dani and her fake ass boyfriend on Sunday.”
“I swear, Mama should have dropped your ass off on the hospital steps when you were born, then maybe you’d have some act right.”
* * *
“Dani, baby, the water.” Her father’s baritone rumbled. Coming out of her daze, Dani stopped pouring just before the overflow spilled all over the table.
“Shoot,” she kissed her teeth, carefully picking up the glass to pour some of it out in the kitchen sink. To say that she was nervous was an understatement. No matter how many times Tucker tried to assure her that he was okay with coming to dinner, she was still terrified for him to meet her family.
She didn’t want them pressing him about what their friendship was or wasn’t, or run him off. Danica spent days trying to get out of it, but Tucker, nor her family, were backing down. Dinner was happening, and there was nothing she could do about it.
“You’re so cute,” Miesh commented, bumping Danica’s shoulder with hers as the two headed back to the dining room.
“Puppies are cute,” Danica replied harshly. “What I am, is sweating like a whore in church. I promise you I’m two shakes away from up and disappearing out of the back door.”
“Why are you making such a big deal out of this? You like him, so I’m sure we will too. Mama and Daddy see him at the cookout almost every year anyway.”
“Saying hi and bye is a long stretch from having dinner with one another, and they’re not who I’m worried about. Cas…”
“Don’t be in here talking about me behind my back,” his voice boomed as he entered the dining room. “You gon’ talk shit, then say it to my face.”
“Boy, shut up,” Danica stuck her tongue out in his direction. “Ain’t nobody scared of you.”
“I see you ain’t talking about me anymore.”
“What she was saying was, she’s scared your ignorant ass is gonna run Tucker off, because you don’t know how to act,” Miesha revealed, placing the plates on the designated mats while Danica nodded.
“Exactly.” She agreed.
Dropping the silverware he was holding, Casimir placed a hand on his chest. “Wow, sis, I’m hurt. I can’t believe you think so little of me.”
“Cas, you…” Danica was interrupted by the ringing doorbell, and her heart quickly began hammering in her chest.
“Showtime,” he sang, darting out of the dining room.
“Cas, no! I-”
“Aht, aht, aht,” her mom caught her at the door and turned her back around. “Let the man come to you.”
“But, Mama, Cas…”
“Your father will take care of it.” Leanne chuckled gently. “Sheesh, you are a ball of nerves. You must really like this one.”
