Chapter 2 Kamryn #2
Tariq burst out laughing. “Hey, you got me there. You know I love my sweets.” He eased her closer and nuzzled her neck. “So
now that I’m moving from boyfriend to husband, does that mean I’ll get that pound cake more often?”
“Baby, I’ll make you whatever dessert you want, whenever you want it,” she said with a huge grin.
He placed a sweet kiss on her lips. “I think I’m going to enjoy those benefits.”
Kamryn stared at the ring on her finger. “Me too.” They stood there a little longer before rejoining the family.
Mrs. Bradley grabbed Kamryn’s hand as soon as Kamryn entered the room and led her over to the sofa. “We have so much to do.
First is the engagement party, then shopping for a dress, the bridal shower, a family bridal shower. Oh, and we need to find
the venue soon because all the good places book quickly,” she continued. “It’s April now, so . . . what month are you two
thinking?” She pulled out her phone and started typing. “There are a couple of nice reception venues not too far away. Oh,
looks like this one is booked through March of next year, unless you want to do something during the week,” she said as if
talking to herself. “But most people are working, so let me check the other one.”
Kamryn shared a panicked look with Tariq.
“Hold up, Mom,” Tariq said. “I just proposed ten minutes ago. Relax. We don’t need to plan anything right this minute. And
we haven’t even had a chance to tell her parents yet.”
Mrs. Bradley patted Kamryn’s hand. “I’m sorry, baby. I’m just so excited. Once you talk to your mother, she and I will need to get together and talk.”
“I’m sure she’ll want to talk to you too,” Kamryn said.
Her mother tended to be a little more laid-back and didn’t like a lot of hoopla. Kamryn happened to be the same way, and it
would take some doing to find a way to veto half of the things her future mother-in-law wanted to do without hurting her feelings.
The more she thought about it, the more she liked the idea of a short engagement. That way, there wouldn’t be time to plan
all of those activities. “And speaking of my parents, I should probably go so I can call them. There’s a three-hour time difference,
and it’s already close to seven.”
“You’re right.” She stood. “Let me get you that recipe.”
While she was gone, Kamryn and Tariq said their goodbyes. Everyone offered a hug except Giselle. But she didn’t have any problem
being all over her fiancé. Sliding between them, she looped her arm around Tariq’s waist and kissed his cheek.
Taylor held up her phone. “Kamryn, let me get your number.”
After exchanging phone numbers with Taylor, Kamryn decided to extend the proverbial olive branch. She didn’t want to get on
the bad side of her new family on the first visit. “Giselle, let me get your number too.” It was clear by the woman’s tight
features that she really didn’t want to do it, but with the entire family watching expectantly, Giselle slowly approached
and inputted her number into Kamryn’s phone. “I’ll call you so you can have mine.” She called, let it ring once, then hung
up. “It was great to meet you.” Kamryn hugged Giselle and sighed inwardly when her sister-to-be stiffened and quickly stepped
back without a response. But the woman didn’t have any problem cozying up to Tariq with all that giggling and smiling, and
she was tempted to snatch her.
“You seem to be moving pretty fast, Tariq,” Giselle said, hooking her arm in his. “And I’ve never seen you serious about a woman.”
“Those women weren’t Kam.” Tariq winked at Kamryn.
She let out a little laugh. “Well, congratulations anyway.” She leaned up and kissed his cheek. “Like I said earlier,” Giselle
said, “call me if you have any questions about the planning. I’ll be more than willing to help you out.”
“Are you a wedding planner on the side or have you planned any events?” Kamryn asked.
“Not yet, but I’ve been through the process and know what it takes,” she said in a somewhat condescending tone.
She opened her mouth to respond but was interrupted.
“Here you go, Kamryn.” Mrs. Bradley handed her a sheet of paper.
Pulling her attention away from Giselle and the snide remark she’d made, Kamryn smiled. “Thank you, Mrs. Bradley. I can’t
wait to make it. I’ll call you if I run into any problems.”
“Sounds good, and no more of that Mrs. Bradley stuff. You can just call me Mom or Mama Yvonne like everybody else.” Smiling,
she hugged Kamryn.
“Mama Yvonne it is, then.”
Tariq hugged his mother. “I’ll see you later.”
It took another few minutes for them to leave because his mother insisted on sending them home with some of the food and desserts.
Kamryn didn’t complain because it meant she wouldn’t have to cook tomorrow.
On their way to her place, she said, “Your mom is a little overzealous, huh?”
“That’s putting it mildly. I hope your mom isn’t the same way. Otherwise, I’ll be trying to figure out a way to sweet-talk
you into eloping.”