Chapter 2 Kamryn
Kamryn
“I think you owe me a little sumthin’ sumthin’.”
Kamryn giggled, even as she tried to push Tariq away. “Stop playing. We can’t be doing this in your parents’ house.” She turned
in his arms where he had her trapped between his body and the balcony railing. “And what exactly do I owe you for?”
“You were worried about meeting my family, and I told you they’d love you.” Tariq leaned closer. “I think I deserve at least
one kiss for being right.”
His mouth covered hers in a deep, passionate kiss before she could utter a word. The way she’d fallen for him in such a short
time still amazed her. After her last breakup two years ago, she’d been overly cautious when it came to dating, but the moment
Tariq turned his heart-stopping smile on her and introduced himself with that deep, sensuous voice, she’d been a goner. Unlike
those other guys, Tariq always kept his word and treated her like she was an important part of his life. She didn’t need him
to be around 24/7, but she cherished the fact that he’d been intentional about their time and had no problems sharing himself,
especially since it had taken her a good month to really open herself up to him.
“So this is where you two are.”
Kamryn jumped away from him so fast, she stumbled.
“Easy, baby,” he whispered while steadying her. “What’s up, Giselle?”
“We’re about to serve dessert.” She came over and bumped his shoulder playfully and smiled at him. “You know this is the part
of dinner everybody is waiting for.”
He nodded. “We’ll be there in a minute.”
Giselle smiled up at him and patted his arm. “We’ll be waiting.” She threw a look at Kamryn, then left.
“I don’t think your sister-in-law likes me,” Kamryn said when she was sure Giselle was out of earshot. “She’s been giving
me the side-eye all day.” The woman hadn’t said anything specific, but it was just a feeling Kamryn couldn’t shake. And was she really just flirting with my man with that little smile, shoulder bump, and touch?
“Nah. I think you’re seeing things. She’s cool.”
She didn’t agree, but she put it aside—for now.
“It’s about time,” Vincent said when they entered the room. “Y’all are holding up dessert, and I’m trying to get a piece of
that pound cake.”
Kamryn shook her head. She really liked Tariq’s family. “You could’ve started without us.”
“No, he couldn’t,” Tariq said, affronted. “I’m supposed to get the first piece . . . after my parents.” He slanted her an
amused glance.
Mrs. Bradley entered with paper plates and forks. “Okay, everybody. Come and get it.” All four sons rushed over. “Now, you
know I raised you all better than this. Ladies first.”
Vincent grabbed a plate. “I don’t have a lady, so she’s not talking to me.”
His mother snatched the plate. “Boy, get away from this table and let our guests go first,” she said, eliciting laughter from the family. “Kamryn, you, Taylor, and Giselle are first.”
“No, ma’am,” Kamryn said. “You are the queen of this house, and you should be first, then Mr. Bradley.”
Mr. Bradley chuckled. “I agree.” He handed a plate to his wife and kissed her cheek. “Get yours first, baby.”
The smile they shared reminded Kamryn of her own parents—as did the little kisses and laughter between them she’d noticed
throughout the evening—and it was something she wanted to have in her own relationship. Her father always let it be known,
whether with his words or his actions, that her mother came first in his life. She recalled several instances of them sharing
sweet kisses, adoring looks, and gentle touches. So far, Tariq seemed to be a lot like his father . . . and hers. Everything
about their whirlwind romance had been easy and drama-free, just as she liked it. Of course, her independent streak had caused
a couple of minor disagreements because she’d been doing everything herself for so long, but Kamryn was working on it. Once
the parents filled their plates with pieces of her pound cake, sweet potato pie, peach cobbler, and thick, rich brownies,
everyone else followed suit. They sat around the family room to enjoy the sweet treats, and for the first few minutes, only
the sounds of moans could be heard. Kamryn always thought her mother’s peach cobbler was the best, but not this time. The
flaky, buttery crust nearly melted in her mouth. “Mrs. Bradley, this peach cobbler is so good, and the crust . . . oh my goodness.
Please tell me this isn’t one of those secret family recipes that can’t be shared.”
The older woman giggled and waved her off. “Oh, honey, no. I’ll make a copy of the recipe before you leave. You must love
baking.”
“Thank you so much. And yes, I do. We used to visit my grandmother most summers, and I spent a lot of time with her and my mom in the kitchen. My cousins couldn’t be bothered, so I got all the coveted family recipes.” She grinned.
“Well, you put your foot in this pound cake,” Vincent said.
“Mmm-hmm.” Shawn nodded. “This is right up there with Mama’s chocolate cake.”
Everyone praised the cake, with murmurs of “She can cook” and “I could eat this every day.”
“Aw. Y’all are so sweet.” Her smile faltered when she noticed the weird look Giselle was giving her. What is her problem? Was she upset because her husband complimented Kamryn on the cake?
Mr. Bradley lifted his plate in salute. “Tariq, I think you’ve got a keeper, son.”
Tariq smiled at Kamryn. “I don’t think she’s a keeper, Dad. I know she is. In fact”—he set his plate aside and did the same with hers—“I plan to keep her forever.” He dropped to one knee next
to her and took her hand.
If Kamryn was the fainting type, she would’ve collapsed right then. Her heart started pounding. Sure, they’d discussed marriage
a couple of times, albeit loosely, and both had considered the institution worthwhile with the right person. He had also mentioned that he was looking for
that person and would have no problem turning in his bachelor card when he found her. Kamryn had laughingly agreed that she’d
turn hers in too. She just didn’t realize how soon it would happen.
“Kam, although we’ve only been together a short time, I don’t need years to figure out what my heart already knows. You are
my one, the one I’ve waited for all my life. I want to be the reason behind your smile, your laughter, and every good thing because
you are all that for me. My heart is and always will be yours. You told me you wanted a fairy-tale romance, and I want to
give you that and more. Will you marry me?”
For several seconds, she couldn’t utter a sound.
His impassioned words moved her like nothing ever had.
She had told him how as a young girl, she had fantasized about having the kind of romance portrayed in storybooks.
Apparently he’d been listening, and it took everything inside her not to break down completely.
Finally, she found her voice. “Yes,” she whispered on a broken sob. “Yes, Tariq, I’ll marry you. I love you so much.” He whipped
out a black velvet box, removed the beautiful diamond solitaire, and slid it onto her finger. “This is . . . oh my. It’s so
beautiful.” She poured everything she felt into the passionate kiss that followed.
“Hallelujah! Another daughter!” Mrs. Bradley shouted, jumping to her feet and grabbing Kamryn up into a crushing hug.
The family surrounded them with hugs and congratulations, and Kamryn was so overcome with emotion, she couldn’t stop crying.
“Girlfriend, this ring is gorgeous,” Taylor said. “If you need any help with the planning, let me know.”
“I’ll do that.”
“Yes! Pound cake forever!” Vincent said, pumping his fist in the air.
“You mean pound cake for me forever,” Tariq corrected. “I might let you get a piece every now and again.”
Vincent shrugged. “Fine. I’m just going back and getting me another piece now.” He strolled out of the room with his empty
plate.
“You know, since I’ve been through a wedding, I know what it takes to plan one, and Tariq deserves the best, so I can help
do all the planning,” Giselle said, standing close to Tariq with her hand on his arm.
Ignoring Giselle, Kamryn laughed through her tears. “I love your family.” Well, almost everyone. But she was too happy to care at the moment.
It took a while for everything to settle down, and when the family went back for dessert seconds, Tariq escorted Kamryn out
to the back deck. He pulled her into his embrace. “Are you okay?”
Looping her arms around his neck, she smiled. “I’m better than okay. My head is still spinning from the shock, but in a good
way.”
“Good. I realize things might be moving a little fast, but I meant every word I said in there, sweetheart. I love you, Kamryn
Brooks, and I can’t wait to have you to myself forever.”
She could feel the tears stinging her eyes again. “I love you too.”
“Oh, and can we not have a long engagement, please? I’m talking three, four months. Six tops. I know my mom is going to want
to do all these showers, lunches, and extravagant things like she did with Giselle. With all the stuff she planned, their
engagement lasted well over a year.” He shook his head.
Kamryn laughed. “Yeah, baby.” She didn’t really want a long engagement either. “I think I can make that work. If we do something
small and elegant, it shouldn’t take too long to pull things together. We can FaceTime my parents tonight when you take me
home. My mom is going to lose her mind and will probably want to do all the things your mom does, but within reason. But my
dad will happily rein her in when I mention saving money.” Her parents had moved to Michigan two years ago when her father’s
company transferred him. “And Taylor volunteered to help.” Her best friend would definitely be on board as well.
“I’m sure Giselle will help too.”
“Hmm. If you say so. I still think she doesn’t like me. She was frowning at me the whole time we were eating dessert, especially after Shawn made that comment about my cake being up there with your mother’s.”
“I didn’t really notice.”
“Kind of hard to notice with your face buried in that plate.”