74. Mother Knows🤱🏽

My mom shouted, "My girls are here! Priscilla, this is my niece Monica. And this is my baby girl Jamie." My mom pulled me into a hug.

"Hey, mama." She looked and sounded far from worried. I tried to keep my eyes from roaming over to A.B.'s location as my mom  led me over to the woman.

The woman stood up and smiled at me. She had the prettiest hazel eyes I'd ever seen. Her hair was in a curly black and gray bun. She wore light makeup and a yellow dress that exposed her black high heels. The color was made for a her beautiful skin.

She spoke, "Well hello, gorgeous. You're the famous woman my son has told me so much about."

I nervously giggled, "Hi, it's nice to meet you. I hope he didn't use the word 'famous.'"

Priscilla lightly laughed, "He didn't. He just wouldn't stop talking about you. Had me thinking I was about to meet my daughter-in-law."

My eyes bucked as I glanced at A.B.

My mom added, "If Jamie eloped, she wouldn't live to see the next day."

"Well, since marriage is the topic of discussion," Monica interjected, "I would like to address that I am engaged to whatever is on the stove. Can we eat now?"

Everyone laughed at Monica's unexpected joke.

"We'll talk more later, sweetie," Priscilla told me.

"Okay, Mrs. Bravos."

"Call me Cilla."

I started to follow everyone, but I froze when I heard his voice.

"I'm surprised Monica didn't tell you I was here."

I slowly turned around to face him. "She knew you were here?" The way she brought up flying back home to Zeke seemed odd to me. I swear that girl gets a kick out of reactions. No wonder she does it for a living. I asked, "Wait, why are you here?"

"My mom wanted to go to the best place in East Grove for soul food, and I couldn't keep your mom's cooking a secret."

I clasped my hands together. "I knew it! You do come over here a lot."

A.B. walked past me. "Your mom said I'm welcomed anytime."

I quickly grabbed his hand and snuck him down the hall to my old bedroom. I closed the door behind us.

"Jamie, you're getting too comfortable taking me to your bedroom." He winked.

"Shush!" I spread my arms out wide. "Would it be too much to ask you for a hug, right now?"

A.B. pretended to think about it.

"A.B., I'm serious."

"Only if you tell me what's wrong."

I responded, "I will."

He gently wrapped his arms around me.

I closed my eyes.

Seconds later, he rubbed my back. "How does that feel?"

I slowly inhaled and exhaled. "Good."

"Talk to me. What's bothering you?"

I rested my head on him. "Have you heard about the intern that used to work at RiSe?"

"That's all they're talking about today. Did you know her?" A.B. asked me.

"No. Zeke met with Ricky and found out she was his goddaughter. That's why the building is closed today."

"That's really sad. I'll pray for her family." A.B. held me close. "Is that why you're back home?"

"I wasn't gonna come back home, because I didn't think I could with my schedule. Leave it to Monica, and now we're here." I looked up at A.B. "Did you tell your mom about me as Jamie or Jae?"

A.B. stated, "I told her about you as Jamie and that we worked together at Uncle Dave's music store. She's going to visit him tomorrow, and I guarantee you he'll ask if she's met you."

"Nooo," I whined as I fell backwards with A.B. holding on to my waist. Oohh! C'mon strength! I stood upright. "Now you have to tell your mom that I'm Jae."

"Actually, I was hoping you would tell her since she's a big fan of yours."

At this moment, I realized that we were rocking side-to-side. I let him go as A.B. released me. I turned around and grabbed the door knob.

"Wait..." A.B. pulled me back by my waist. "We have to plan this or my mom will think I had something to do with it."

I glanced at A.B. with a smirk on my face. "Just when I thought you were too good to be true, you out here lying to your own mother. Mr. Bravos, that woman birthed you."

"Ms. Sawyer, I did not lie. I just didn't tell her everything."

I turned around in his arms. "Did she ask what was my occupation?"

A.B. tried to hide his smile. "She didn't ask about your career. She asked if you were my girl."

"Jamie!" Monica called my name.

A.B. and I quickly separated.

"I'm gonna go out first." I whispered to him before turning off my bedroom light and walking out my room. I closed my bedroom door. "Monica, what do you want?"

She walked towards me. "We're waiting on you and A.B. His mom wants him to say a prayer over the food."

"He's in the bathroom. Let's go to the kitchen." I walked ahead of her.

"Jackie, this food looks and smells delicious. I would love for you to have do a pop-up at my bakery. My customers will love it," Priscilla complimented my mom.

"Thank you so much! You know I used to have my own catering business."

Priscilla added, "I believe you!"

"That's how we met," my stepdad added. "She did great for years, but she wanted to stay-at-home and raise Jamie."

My lips twisted. "Mama, I thought you were forced to close your catering business. I didn't know it was because of me."

"Baby, it was not because of you. I just wanted to make sure you knew me more than your babysitter, grandparents, and anybody else that would watch you." My mom tapped under my chin. "I don't regret my decision one bit."

"Sorry for the hold up," A.B. walked inside the kitchen.

"Perfect timing, Jace. Say the blessing," Priscilla told her son.

We all joined hands and A.B. blessed the food. Afterwards, plates were made and everyone made their way to the living room.

Without realizing it, I was putting food on my plate and A.B.'s plate as he held it.

"A little more chicken and macaroni. More yams and collard greens, too."

I gave A.B. a stern look.

"I can get it myself." He took the tongues out of my hand.

"Where are you eating?"

"Not next to you," A.B. smirked. "I'm joking."

"Right..." I narrowed my eyes at him.

A.B. took my plate out my hands. "I'm gonna eat right here at the kitchen table." He put my plate in front of an empty chair as he sat down in front of his plate.

"What do you want to drink?" I walked over to the the refrigerator and opened it. "We got Lemonade, soda, fruit punch, and water."

"Lemonade."

I grabbed two cups, filled them with ice and lemonade. Finally, I sat across from A.B. at the table. I could hear my parents, Priscilla and Monica talking and laughing in the living room.

I spoke, "I like hearing that."

"Me, too." A.B. ate his food.

I didn't realize I was starring until he stuck his fork in one of my yams and ate it.

The horror! "Are you trying to get strangled? Touch my food again and get your fingers broken." I arched my brow at him.

He lightly laughed, "Jamie, you never stop surprising me. I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing, but I like it."

I blushed. "Stoooop."

"You stop." He winked at me.

I looked at my plate. "When I finish eating, I'll tell your mom who I am."

A.B. held out his hand.

I took it.

He lowered his head and kissed my hand. "Thank you."

Every vein in my body felt that. I don't think I'll be able to get up from this seat. "Sir, I am a woman of God."

A.B. took a sip of his drink. "Self-control is up to the person. I learned to control myself around you. If I can do it, you can do it." He looked at me intently.

I looked away from his gaze.

A.B. chuckled, "My mom leaves tomorrow morning to see my uncle. What do you want to do?"

I went back to eating my food. In an old southern voice, I spoke, "To ask me such a question, you must really want my company. Unfortunately, I will be staying with my noisy cousin who thinks she's my other mother."

A.B. pointed to me. "You should really get into voice acting. And I asked, because Monica said you would be waiting for me at her place."

I rolled my eyes. "She does not stop. I don't ever mess with her about Zeke."

"Monica and Zeke are official?" A.B. asked me.

Finally! I can tell what Monica hasn't shared. I leaned towards A.B. "Monica and Zeke claim to be friends only, but I'll give it another week before they're a couple."

"That makes sense. He told me it was girl that made him feel things he never felt before. I assumed it was another celebrity. I just told him to have a conversation with her."

"You and Zeke are friends?" I asked him.

"More business friends than anything. We were talking about the new property, and somehow it led to him talking about a woman that he can't keep his mind off of."

Hearing this made my heart smile. My cousin is definitely a good woman. I shouldn't be surprised that Zeke felt this way about her, but he barely shows any emotions.

A.B. continued as if he knew I enjoyed hearing this. "He described her as beautiful and a lot of fun - nothing like the women he's dated in Hollywood. His only hesitation was the fake relationship that you and him had. He said you and Monica look alike, but y'all have completely different personalities."

Ok. Where is this conversation going?

"He knew you'd be someone he wanted as a friend, but Monica made him rethink his perspective on love. He would definitely marry her if she wanted to be in a serious relationship with him."

I asked, "If you think I'm gonna tell my cousin everything you told me just so she'll be less likely to bother me, you are correct."

"That is not why I told you," A.B. pointed at my plate. "Are you done eating?"

I pushed my half-eaten plate over to him. "I can't believe Zeke told you all that. I wonder if Monica would want to get married."

"I told you so you could encourage her to talk to him if she likes him more than a friend."

I stood up and whispered in A.B.'s ear. "I want to go to Yellow Sand Beach."

A.B. dropped his fork.

"Looks like somebody lost their self-control." I walked out the kitchen and joined the others in the living room.

"I hope this will be fun for everyone. I keep a karaoke microphone with me for gatherings like this. Who wants to sing?" Priscilla pulled a pink microphone out of her purse.

I froze in place. This is a set-up.

"Meee!" Monica shouted. "'Cause I'm gonna win."

"It's not a competition. It's all fun. I can go first or anyone can go..."

I raised my hand. "I'll go."

"Wonderful," Priscilla handed me the mic. "It's already on. You can sing acapella or find a song on YouTube to sing."

"Umm... I am going to sing acapella." I cleared my throat.

Everyone cheered.

I stood in front of my family and Priscilla.

I closed my eyes. "Mmmmm-hmmmm... Ohhh-yeahhh.... This can't be too serious. Got me thinking, I'm so curious. I'm in love with you. Do you know what I would do-ooohhh. All that I can to make you understand that I'm not going nowhere. I'm gonna prove the love to you, and my love, you won't have to fear. 'Cause I'm falling fast. Don't care how long it last. Just give me a chance... to do a little romance. Baby, let me take you home. Oh, listen to me I'm what you want. Mmm-hmm..."

When all I heard was silence, I opened my eyes to see the looks on everyone's faces.

"My bad. That was the slow jam version."

"How am I supposed to follow that?" Monica inquired.

Priscilla stood up and clapped her hands. "That was absolutely beautiful, Jamie. I'd like to follow that."

"Thank you." I handed her the mic.

"Everybody clap your hands."

We all clapped.

Priscilla shouted, "There's a meeting in the ladies' room!"

My mom jumped up. "I gotta sing this one with you."

Monica and I sat on the couch, snapping our fingers like we were the backup dancers.

My dad pretended to play a guitar.

I laughed, "Daddy, you better play that guitar."

"C'mon, A.B.!" Priscilla shouted.

I looked over to see A.B. walking into the living room. He pretended to play the drums.

We were all laughing. This is really what I needed.

Soon, my mom was making to-go plates for everyone. A.B. said bye to everyone except for me before going outside. I followed him only to be hit by the cold night air. I watched him get inside the black Mercedes Benz and start the engine.

I shivered my way to him, getting in the car on the passenger's side.

"Jamie, where's your jacket? It's 55 degrees out here." He turned up the heat.

"I didn't know it was gonna be cold tonight," I admitted. "Ohh! That heat feels good." I put my hands up in front of the vents. "With this temperature, I don't want to do anything outdoors. Scratch Yellow Sand Beach. Is this your new car?"

A.B. answered, "It's my mom's. Are you good with organizing things?"

"Are you trying to get me to organize the music store this time?"

He chuckled, "No, you've helped enough with Music Bravos... I've been neglecting my home library, and there's books everywhere--"

I interrupted him, "Look, I'll come over to help you with you bookshelves and tings, but I'm gonna need some proceeds, funds; earnings. I'm worth more than a hourly wage."

"You're worth more than gold," A.B. told me.

I quickly looked away. "Goodnight." I got out the car. I ran back to the house. As I was walking in, Priscilla was walking out.

"Jamie, it was wonderful meeting you. You're even more beautiful in-person than on TV."

I became speechless.

"I've been a fan since day one. When my brother told me that Jae A.B. used to work for him, and my son was dating her, I had to come to East Grove even if I didn't get the chance to meet you. Don't worry. I'll tell my son that I already knew so he won't have a guilty conscience."

I grinned, "Thank you for coming over. I hope you enjoyed my silly family."

"I had a blast! I won't bother you for pictures and an autograph. I'll get that at your concert. Tell them shady people at that record company to hurry up and put out your album. Oh, and I'll be leaving in the morning so feel free to surprise Jace."

What she mean by that?

"One more thing. Don't let him fool you. He's smart, always has been. He can figure out a problem days before anyone else, then turn around and ask for help. He's done it to me countless of times. Yesterday, I was just supposed to spend the day with him. He goes to talking about how he needs help with his laundry, then decorating his bathroom and bedroom just so I would stay longer. Watch him. That boy is something else."

I nodded my head in agreement.

"And another thing... I approve." She embraced me. "Goodnight, Jamie Jae."

"G-goodnight," I waved at her. She approves? Approves what? Before I could freeze to death, I closed and locked the front door. After finding my phone, I saw that I had a text from A.B.

A.B.: Why is my mom smiling so hard? What did she tell you?

Me: I'm not saying anything. Pick me up from Monica's BRIGHT AND EARLY!

A.B.: I will lol Goodnight Jamie

Me: Goodnight!