Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
M eeting members of Nyla’s family hadn’t been on his list of things to do today, but there was no time like the present.
“Mom, Cree, this is Harrison Grant. Harrison, this is my mother, Virginia, and my sister.”
“Nice to meet you.” He shook Cree’s hand and then extended his hand to their mother.
“Oh, no, love. I don’t shake hands. I’m a hugger. Bring it in,” Virginia said, her arms outstretched with her purse dangling from one of them while her gloved fingers beckoned him to come closer.
He obliged, hugging her and almost laughing at how long she held on to him. But then it was as if a Mack truck slammed into him and knocked him off-balance when a sudden memory crashed into him. It was of his mother hugging him tightly. Tight enough for him to feel her love seeping into his veins.
Harrison swallowed hard, forcing himself not to leap out of Virginia’s hold while remembering how his mother used to give the best hugs. His mind spun. His throat tightened, and his heart started beating double time.
What the hell?
He forced himself to remain calm. The memory was so random, but it felt as if he’d been transported back in time. He could almost see his mother’s face and feel her arms around him.
When Virginia finally loosened her hold, Harrison tried to put some distance between them, but she didn’t release him. Instead, she held him at arm’s length with her hands on his shoulders.
She stared at him for what seemed like an hour but was only seconds before saying, “You have kind eyes.” Her voice was barely loud enough for him to hear as she continued to search his eyes as if able to see deep into his soul. When she finally released him. He scurried backwards, trying not to be obvious about it but needing to put space between them.
Nyla was right there. She slipped her hand into his and squeezed. It was as if she knew something had transpired during that embrace. An embrace that shook him.
“You have to come inside and meet my husband,” Virginia said as she slid her purse strap onto her shoulder and smiled at him. “Then you can have lunch with all of us.”
“I—I appreciate that, Mrs. Priestly, but—”
“Mom, Harrison has things to do,” Nyla said while gently rubbing his arm.
“Nonsense,” Virginia said. “I’m sure he doesn’t mind staying a little while to get to know us. Do you, Harrison?”
“Actually, I—”
“Come on, Love, you can spare an hour or so. Let’s get out of this cold before we turn into icicles.” She slid her arm through the crook of his as if it were the most natural thing to do. “Nice arms,” she complimented, giving his biceps a little squeeze, and Harrison grunted.
Nyla had warned him, and Virginia was living up to her reputation of being… a lot.
He tightened his hold on Nyla’s hand while she grumbled under her breath about pushy mothers. That didn’t stop Virginia as she guided them up the walkway with a pep in her step. Harrison was fairly sure he heard Cree chuckling behind them, but he wasn’t positive.
When they made it into the cottage, four sets of similar brown eyes turned in their direction.
“Hey family! This is Harrison, Nyla’s boyfriend,” Virginia announced happily before anyone could speak.
Then she pulled him away from Nyla and walked him farther into the living room. The family had been watching an NFL playoff game on a big screen television mounted on the wall. It was loud. The sound pumped through surround-sound speakers until someone turned down the volume.
“Harrison, this is my son, Zion, my oldest daughter, Essence, my grandson, Tray, and my incredibly handsome husband, Israel.”
Her husband shook his head, seeming unfazed by his wife’s words as he slowly stood.
“Hello, everyone,” Harrison said, giving a small wave and feeling a little warm around the collar. He unzipped his coat, hoping that would help as Nyla’s family greeted him.
“Virginia, let the boy at least take off his coat and boots before you start pulling him all around the house,” Israel said as he approached.
“Okay, fine. Just don’t let him leave until I have time to spend with him.”
“Oh, Mom, don’t start. Nyla doesn’t need you scaring him away before he gets to know the sane family members,” Essence said and winked at Harrison.
“Harrison, you see how they treat me?” Virginia called out as Essence moved her down the hallway. “Anyway, we’ll get food on the table as soon as I change out of my church clothes.”
Virginia continued talking as she disappeared to the back of the house, and Harrison couldn’t help but laugh. The woman was funny.
“Nice to meet you, son,” Israel said, shaking Harrison’s hand. “Sorry about my wife. She loves people. If you’re dating one of our kids, Virginia has already adopted you as one of her own. So welcome. Let me take your coat and get you something to drink.”
“Thanks, Dad, but I got it,” Nyla said, ushering Harrison out of the room and back toward the foyer.
“Oh, my God! I’m so sorry,” she whispered, sliding her arms inside his wool coat and around his waist before she looked up at him. “Are you okay? I told you my mom is a lot, but she means well.”
Harrison hugged Nyla back, probably holding on a little too tightly as he breathed her in. Being in her arms was like a calming elixir, and his nerves immediately settled. He didn’t want to let her go.
After a few minutes, Nyla pulled him closer to the front door and far enough away from the others where they wouldn’t be heard. In the process, they took off their coats, and she hung them in the coat closet.
“You looked a bit shell-shocked outside. Are you okay?”
He didn’t want to admit Virginia’s embrace had shaken him to his core. He was still getting used to socializing, but he never had that reaction to anyone. Then again, he could already tell Virginia was like no other.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” he said just above a whisper, but Nyla didn’t look convinced, so he told her. “Your mother’s hug reminded me of my mother. Despite how things ended between us, she used to give the best hugs. I was caught off guard for a minute there, but it’s all good.”
“I’m so sorry, babe,” she said, cupping his cheek as she stared into his eyes. “If you need to leave, I totally understand, but why don’t you stick around and have lunch. I’ll make sure I keep my mother away from you.”
He chuckled and gave her a quick kiss. “I appreciate that, baby, but since we’re dating, I need to get used to being around your family.” And other people too, he wanted to add but didn’t. So far, Nyla’s family seemed as refreshing as she was.
“Excuse me. Sorry to interrupt.”
Harrison turned to find Cree standing a few feet away.
“Harrison, have we met before? I don’t usually forget a face, and you look very familiar.”
“I saw you from a distance at Moody Days a week or two ago. Maybe that’s where you remember me from,” he said, though he didn’t think so.
It was the same night he had learned that Nyla managed the jazz club. Cree and one of their other sisters were hugging Nyla before they left the club.
“Maybe, but…” She shrugged. “Anyway, I’ll let you two get back to what you were doing,” she said and strolled toward the kitchen.
When Harrison turned back to Nyla, she had a strange look on her face.
“What?” he said.
She moved closer and wrapped her arms around him again before whispering, “She’s an entertainment lawyer, and she devours the news daily. What if…” Her voice trailed off, and he knew what she was thinking: What if Cree knows what happened to you?
When he decided to start living again, Harrison told himself that he was risking being recognized. Risking people talking about him behind his back or asking him questions about the worst time in his life.
No, deep down he wasn’t ready for any of it. Yet, as he stared into Nyla’s beautiful eyes, the only thing he knew for sure was that he wanted her in his life. If that meant her family knowing his history, that was a chance he had to take.
He bent down and nuzzled her neck just below her ear. “It’s okay,” he said and placed a kiss there. “I’m in this for the long haul. At some point, your family will find out. Either from me or some other means. I’ll just have to deal with that when it happens.”
“ We’ll just have to deal with it,” she corrected. “You’re not alone anymore. We’re in this together.”
Knowing that made him feel as if he was finally going to have the life he once imagined for himself, and he loved that it would include Nyla.
All things considered, Nyla was pleased at how the afternoon was going. She hadn’t planned to introduce Harrison to her family yet, but he seemed to be enjoying himself. He was currently in the living room hanging out with her father, brother, and her nephew watching sports.
Lunch had been great, and though her mother hadn’t embarrassed her too much, she still managed to ask Harrison how he felt about children. When he responded with— I love kids and would like to have at least two —Nyla was sure her mother fell in love with him.
“I thought you were lying about dating someone, and Harrison is gorgeous!” Dorian whisper shouted as they cleaned up the kitchen. Their mother, Essence, and Cree had disappeared to the B & B, leaving the two of them to take care of the dishes.
No way was Nyla going to admit to lying days ago, especially since her dating Harrison ended up not being a lie. Her problem was trying to act normal and not like some giddy teenager with a new boyfriend.
She told Dorian how they met and what a grump he’d been. Jamie had been right. It was fate that had brought her and Harrison together. What were the chances of her meeting the man of her dreams while working a temp job?
One story led to others, and before long, she and Dorian were laughing about the snowball fight. The more she shared, the more Nyla couldn’t wait to make more fun memories with Harrison.
Cree strolled into the kitchen just as they finished loading the dishwasher and wiping down the counters.
“Dee, can you leave for a minute so I can talk to Nyla?”
Dorian glanced between the two of them. “Why? What’s going on?”
Nyla wasn’t sure either, but the seriousness in Cree’s tone told her whatever her sister had to say, she wasn’t going to like it.
“It’s private, can you just give us a minute?” Cree said with more authority.
Dorian tossed the dish towel on the counter. “Fine, but Nyla’s just going to tell me whatever you two talk about anyway.”
The moment she left the room, Cree asked, “How well do you know Harrison Grant?”
Nyla knew immediately that her sister had figured out where she knew him from.
“I know him well enough,” Nyla said firmly, looking at her sister and daring her to say the wrong thing.
Granted, part of Harrison’s story could probably be found online, though Nyla hadn’t checked. But she had no intention of discussing his personal life with anyone, not even her family. If he wanted to tell them anything, that was up to him. They wouldn’t hear it from her.
Cree narrowed her eyes. “You know he spent time in prison for something he didn’t do?”
“Yes,” Nyla said firmly, hoping her sister would take the hint that this was not the time or place for this conversation.
“And you know everything ?” Cree asked skeptically. “You know about his dysfunctional family, specifically his brother and mother?”
“Yes,” Nyla ground out and crossed her arms over her chest, then tapped her foot impatiently, determined not to make this into a lengthy conversation.
Silence pulsed between them before her sister said, “Okay, I just wanted to make sure you knew who you were involved with.”
“I know who Harrison is.”
Cree nodded. “Good, and for the record, he seems like a nice guy. I wish you two well.” With that, she turned and walked out as quietly as she’d entered.
Nyla released the breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. They all would eventually know some portion of Harrison’s story, but she had no doubt that they’d grow to care about him as much as she did.
“Oh good. You’re alone,” her mother said as she breezed into the kitchen with a sly smile on her face. “Let’s talk weddings.”
Nyla burst out laughing. “Mom! Let’s not!”
Her mother laughed and wrapped her arms around Nyla. “I’m just kidding, honey. I’m glad you brought Harrison by. He’s a sweetheart. Make sure you bring him around often. I have a feeling he could benefit from our type of love.”
“Aww, Mom.” Nyla returned her hug, feeling an overwhelming sense of rightness. “You’re the best, but I’ll only agree to that if you promise not to hound us about grandkids.”
Virginia tsked. “I’m not making any promises, but I’ll try.”
“That’s all I ask. I love you, Mom.”
“I love you too, honey.”
Virginia Priestly might drive all of them nuts sometimes, but after hearing Harrison’s story, Nyla loved and appreciated her mother even more. She was truly one of a kind.