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She smiles. “Like the time you let me bawl my eyes out when my boyfriend dumped me for one of thosefriends?”
“Moment of weakness.”
“You’ve had a lot of those over the years. Here let me help you with that.” She gets behind me and zips up my dress. “You look really beautiful. All you need to complete the look is some jewelry, a clutch, and shoes Sansone will want at his ears later.”
I push her away. “Do you ever think about anything other than sex?”
“Why would I? It’s a fun topic.” She follows me into my fashionista closet and helps me finish my look.
To avoid hearing Max say, ‘I told you so’ in case Sansone doesn’t control his reaction to me, I join Jinx and Mr. Murphy downstairs.
He nudges the little girl and nods in my direction.
When she spins to face me, her eyes light up and she runs to pat me on the leg.
“Do you want to play dress up with Do?—”
“Max. You said it earlier, you can say it again.” Max kneels in front of Jinx and holds her shoulders. “How about it? We can raid Zakiya’s closet for all the good stuff.”
Jinx nods and takes Max’s hand to pull her upstairs. Before disappearing around the corner she signs something to me, but I only make out one word, and my heart melts.
I fan my face to prevent tears from falling. When Sansone refers to me as Jinx’s mother, it doesn’t hit the same as when she does.
The thudding of Mr. Murphy’s cane against the carpeted floor announces his approach. “Well, well, what do we have here?”
I brace myself for a caustic comment with a hint of a compliment. However, I’m still reeling from Jinx calling me Mommy.
“It’s about time you let yourself live a little. It’s a nice look.” He passes me to head toward the door. “Stay where you are.”
“Where are you going?” I manage after being thrown for a loop for the second time.
“Nowhere. Just putting a little showmanship into the unveiling.” He opens the door with a flourish.
Sansone stands on the other side, his hand halfway to the door handle. The moment he sees me, time stops. He has on a jet-black tuxedo and a blindingly white shirt. Tonight his eyes are brighter and everything about him seems… more. He’smore beautiful, more confident, taller, sexier, and everything my stunned brain can’t piece together.
“Zakiya…” The awe in his voice pushes me into action.
“You look amazing.” I approach him, ready to leave.
He takes my hand and kisses my knuckles. “Nowhere near as fantastic as you, mia bella ragazzaccia.” He pulls me into an embrace, but before he can ruin my lipstick I block his descent with an upraised hand.
“We’re going to be late,” I say in explanation.
He smiles. “Okay, I can wait.” He leans in to whisper in my ear. “I have plans for you, that dress, and those heels.”
We pull up to the Douglas Museum of Art. A long line of cars are ahead of us. Men and women in formal wear form a line up the stairs.
I stare in wonder at the brightly lit building. During the day, the museum is an impressive throwback to old colonial architecture. At night, it’s an even more impressive structure with the lights highlighting the marble statues and ionic columns.
“Looks like a Who’s Who of Douglas.” Valentino approaches us from behind with his wife Sloane on his arm.
She is in an elegant halter-top gown that highlights her muscular arms. For a woman who recently gave birth, her body has bounced back fairly quickly. From what I know about her, she continues to train as if she’s still in the Air Force.
“This is an excuse for me to dance with Zakiya and show the world I have the most beautiful woman on my arm.”
Valentino looks at his wife. “You are objectively wrong, no offense, Zakiya. No one can hold a candle to my wife.” He nibbles her ear, causing Sloane to giggle and rub his chest.
“You have to say that shit. No offense Sloane.” Sansone grabs me by the waist and pulls me to his side. “But when it comes to?—”
