Chapter Two #4
"We're greedy," Jade corrected.
"A little of both."
Nia looked at me.
"You've got one assignment."
"What?"
"Don't cook."
"I can cook."
"Oh, we know."
Camille gave me a knowing smile.
"You already told us your lemon pound cake is famous."
Camille crossed her arms and smiled.
"Looks like you'll fit in around here just fine."
Her confidence made me smile.
"I'll walk you home," Camille offered as the group slowly began to scatter.
Nia hugged me before climbing into her Range Rover.
"I'm serious about brunch this weekend."
"I'll be there."
"You don't even know where, but I'll text you," she laughed before pulling away.
Tasha called her boys over from Miss Evelyn's yard and apologized for the fifth time after one of them tried to sneak another lemon into his pockets.
"They're free, baby," Miss Evelyn chuckled. "He doesn't have to steal them."
"He likes the thrill," Tasha sighed.
Jade clipped a leash back onto her Goldendoodle.
"If you ever need a contract looked over or somebody to explain HOA bylaws in plain English, I'm your girl."
"I'll remember that."
"You won't."
"Not gone lie, I probably won't."
She smiled.
"But you'll have my number anyway."
In a few minutes, everyone went back to their homes, waving as they disappeared behind tidy hedges and front porches.
Camille and I walked the short way back to my house.
"I hope they didn't overwhelm you."
"They were exactly what I didn't know I needed."
"I remember feeling the same way."
"You weren't always here?" She smiled.
"No."
"How long have you lived in Lemon Grove Estates?"
"A while."
Her answer wasn’t rude, just vague. I figured she’d been here long enough for everyone to look up to her. She caught me admiring someone else’s landscaping.
"One thing you'll learn about this neighborhood..."
"What?"
"We celebrate everything."
"Everything?"
"Birthdays, promotions, new babies, graduations." She laughed. "We can always find a reason to grill."
"Good to know."
When we got to my driveway, the front door was open. Bernice and Laila were carrying flattened boxes out to a recycling trailer parked outside.
"I'll let you get settled," Camille said.
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For making today easier.”
She gave me a warm, genuine smile.
"That's what neighbors are for."
She crossed the street and went into her house just as Laila noticed me.
"Mrs. Graham!" I laughed.
"I thought I told you to call me Maci."
"I keep forgetting, my bad."
She stepped aside so I could look in. I was amazed. Blankets were folded neatly on the sofa. Books filled the shelves. A vase of fresh white hydrangeas was on the coffee table. Even the throw pillows were perfectly arranged.
"You did all this?"
Bernice came out of the kitchen holding my favorite coffee mug.
"We're still working."
"Still working?"
She smiled proudly.
"The pantry is alphabetized."
I blinked in surprise.
"What?"
"The spices too."
I glanced at Zaire as he came down the stairs.
He smiled.
"I told you she'd win you over."
"I hate that you're right."
"You'll get used to it."
Laila laughed.
"The primary closet is finished, the bathrooms are stocked, your bed has fresh linens, and dinner menus are on the counter."
"Dinner menus?"
Zaire rubbed his neck.
"I may have canceled the chef for tonight."
"You did?"
"I figured our first night deserved something less scheduled."
"What are you thinking?"
He took out his phone.
"Thai."
I made a face.
"No."
"Sushi."
"No."
"Mexican?"
"Closer."
He kept looking through the options.
"Wings?"
I grinned.
"Now you're speaking my language.”
About twenty minutes later, we sat barefoot in the family room. The coffee table was covered with takeout: hot lemon-pepper wings, loaded fries, and a basket of fried pickles. I drank sweet tea, and Zaire had a beer.
The TV was on in the background, but neither of us was really watching.
"So," he asked between bites. "How'd the neighborhood tour go?"
I found myself smiling.
"I actually like them."
"I knew you would."
"They're funny."
"They seem nosey."
"They admitted that."
He laughed.
"I told you this place was different."
"You did."
"And?"
I looked around the room. The setting sun shone through the tall windows, filling the house with a warm amber light. Our wedding photo was on the mantel. The boxes were gone. The house was quiet now. Finally, it felt like home.
"I think..." I said quietly. "I think we made the right decision."
He smiled at me, and I understood. He had been waiting for me to say that. He reached over the box between us and took my hand.
"I've got one more surprise for you tomorrow."
I narrowed my eyes.
"You've done enough surprising."
"This one's better."
"Should I be worried?"
"Not even a little."
Outside, the porch lights came on one by one as evening settled over Lemon Grove Estates.
I rested my head on Zaire’s shoulder and watched the last sunlight fade behind the rooftops. For the first time since we arrived this morning, the house felt familiar. It felt like home. I realized that some homes don’t just hold memories. Sometimes, they wait for them to come back.