Chapter 15 Kamryn #2
you two. Looking forward to what’s in that cake carrier, Kamryn.” He tented foil over the meat.
Kamryn grinned. “I did a 7UP cake this time.” She placed the carrier and container of truffles on the counter and set her
purse and the small gift box on one of the barstools.
“What are these?” Mama Yvonne pointed to the container.
“S’mores truffles.”
She shook her head. “You’re always coming up with something good.”
“Okay, let me wash my hands, then I’ll help you.” She and Mama Yvonne were laughing and talking while deep into cleaning and
cutting greens when Taylor and Austin arrived a short while later.
After more greetings, she and Taylor shared a conspiratorial look. Kamryn was so happy for them, and it took everything in
her to keep her cool. She needed everybody to hurry up and get there.
Austin slung his arm around Kamryn’s shoulder. “So what fabulous dessert did you make this time, sis?”
“7UP cake.”
A huge grin spread across his face and he rubbed his hands together. “I can’t wait.”
“Neither can I,” she whispered.
Taylor jumped in and seasoned the chicken waiting to be fried. “Hey, where’s the music?”
“My bad, my bad,” Papa Aaron said from the family room. He came into the kitchen and put on an R&B playlist.
“That’s what I’m talking about.” She started belting out the lyrics to Luther Vandross’s “Bad Boy/Having a Party” and Kamryn
joined in.
Shortly after, the delectable aroma of the food filled the kitchen. The guys came in and danced with their wives, and it was
one of the best things ever in Kamryn’s mind.
“I guess the party is in full swing,” Shawn said, entering the room.
Tariq spun Kamryn out and gathered her back to him. “Yep. So grab your woman and join in the fun.”
“As long as all this dancing doesn’t end with burnt food.”
“You can always go on over to the stove and keep an eye on it, son,” Mama Yvonne said.
A ballad came on, and he pulled Giselle close. “Nah. I’ll just let y’all handle it.”
The dancing continued for a moment longer before the women went back to the stove and the men retreated to the family room
to watch a basketball game—except Giselle. She took a seat on one of the barstools and grabbed some food off the charcuterie
board. Kamryn did a mental eye roll, then asked, “Mama Yvonne, where’s Vincent? He’s usually here by now.”
She frowned. “You’re right. He said he’d be here when I talked to him the other day. It’s not like him to be this late.”
“Maybe he lost track of time studying,” Taylor said.
“Well, I’ll give him a few more minutes before I call. Shawn, can you, Tariq, and Austin set up the table on the patio?” she
called into the family room. “Since the weather is so nice, I thought we’d eat outside.”
“Sure, Mama.” The guys slowly left the basketball game and headed out the sliding glass door leading to the backyard.
Tariq paused to kiss Kamryn. She gave him a soft smile.
“You haven’t been by the house in a while,” Giselle said to Tariq as he passed. She rubbed her hand up and down his arm. “We
miss having you over.”
“We’ll try to get by there soon.”
I know this heffa didn’t just invite my husband to her house. Kamryn knew her saying “you” was a deliberate slight. She could feel her anger rising, and it took everything inside her
not to knock the grin right off Giselle’s face. Her hand gripped the tongs tighter.
Giselle poured herself a glass of iced tea. “I see you’re going all out again, Mama Yvonne. Fried chicken, greens, candied
yams, potato salad, green beans . . Is that a ham over there? You should’ve called me. I would’ve loved to help get things
together, maybe do some decorations.”
“Along with prime rib, yes. Thanks for the offer. We can save the decorations for when we’re doing something big.”
“Sounds good. A catered holiday party might be nice. We can rent out a space, and I’ll create a theme and organize an agenda . . .
maybe hire a band.”
Mama Yvonne chuckled. “Like I’ve told you many times before, my food is as good or better than anything we can have catered.
And now that we have our own resident baker in the family, we’ve got everything covered.”
Giselle shot a dark glare at Kamryn, then replied, “You’re right about your food, and I’m definitely going to be taking a
plate or two home.”
But you can’t bring your butt over here and help. “Giselle, can you take over the chicken for a few minutes while I hit the bathroom?” Kamryn asked. She could see the frost
in Giselle’s eyes but knew with Mama Yvonne standing there, Giselle wouldn’t refuse.
Giselle slid off the stool and came around the bar.
“Thanks.” She handed her the tongs and rushed out and down the hall.
Inside the bathroom, she closed the door and leaned against it. The entire time she was cooking, she could feel Giselle staring
at her. And whenever she turned around, she saw Giselle stuffing her face and frowning. Kamryn seriously wanted to yell, “Girl,
get over here and help like everybody else!” Then there was that last little stunt. Taking a few deep breaths, she let them
out slowly. You said you were going to ignore her. Just enjoy the rest of the family, she repeated to herself.
Feeling back in control, she opened the door and saw Giselle. She started to take the high road but changed her mind. Pointing
a finger her way, she said, “You’ve got one more time to be all up in my husband’s face. I wonder what Shawn would say about
you having feelings for his brother.”
“I never said I have feelings for Tariq. Maybe you’re just insecure.”
“You know what?” Kamryn took a step just as Taylor appeared in the hallway.
“Um, never mind. It can wait.” Taylor spun around and took off.
She glared at Giselle. “For the record, I have no reason to be insecure, but maybe you do.” Kamryn strode back down the hall
and ran into what felt like a brick wall.
“Tariq. I didn’t see you.”
He didn’t say anything but merely stared at her for a lengthy moment. “You good?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.” As if he sensed her turmoil, he held her close and idly ran his hands up and down her back. Closing her
eyes, she leaned into his strength and felt her body relax. “Thanks. I needed that.”
“I know. Don’t let her get to you. We’re here to celebrate family.”
“You’re right.” Kamryn could do this. “And I have to get my phone ready to capture everybody’s surprised faces.
” Chuckling, they made their way back to the kitchen.
She opened her mouth to say something but went still when Vincent entered the kitchen holding the hand of a pretty, curvy young woman a few inches shorter than her with smooth milk-chocolate skin and natural curls that framed her face.
What stood out most were her light brown eyes, a direct contrast to her dark coloring.
Apparently Kamryn wasn’t the only one shocked, because everyone had stopped talking and had their gazes focused on the couple.
“Hey, everybody,” Vincent said. “This beautiful woman next to me is Chanel Reynolds.” He introduced her first to his parents,
then went down the line in birth order of the brothers.
“It’s nice to meet you all,” Chanel said.
Aw, sookie sookie now. Dinner just got more interesting.