Page 32 of D’Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding

“Not when Mama Dee knows where we live.”

“Exactly. She’ll pull up in a heartbeat.”

We all climbed out of the car and I waited while D’Vaughn and Cinta hugged it out. After a moment, D’Vaughn laughed lightly and they parted, D’Vaughn heading my way while Cinta walked down the driveway to a sedan parked on the street. I held my hand out, she took it, and then we walked hand-in-hand up the pathway. The door swung open before we reached the porch, and D’Vaughn’s mother stood there watching us.

“You get lost?”

“Really, Mama?”

The older woman stepped to the side as we entered. D’Vaughn kicked out of her heels, prompting me to toe off my shoes as well.

“Church let out ’bout an hour ago. What was I to think?”

“You coulda called.”

“Hmph.” She stood there, her hands on hips as she waited for us.

Finally, D’Vaughn looked up and realized her mother was still standing there.

“Oh! Um, Mama—” she reached for my hand “—this is Kris Zavala. Kris, this is my mama, Deidre Miller.”

I offered my right hand. “Nice to meet you, Ms. Miller.” Surprisingly, she took my hand in a solid grip and shook it twice.

“Mmhm,” she murmured, still holding my hand captive. “And who exactly are you to my Vaughn?”

D’Vaughn squeezed my hand so tightly that I cringed. I had no idea what that meant. Was I not supposed to answer the question? I glanced at her, but her eyes were trained on her mother. Looking back at Ms. Miller, I pulled out the charming smile that always got me out of trouble with Tía Claudia. Ms. Miller softened a little once I turned it on, so I took a breath and spilled the beans.

“I’m her fiancée.”

“Surprise!” D’Vaughn shouted weakly, holding her left hand up and wiggling her fingers.

Ms. Miller’s eyes widened and then filled with tears. She covered her mouth with one hand and reached for D’Vaughn’s hand with the other.

“Fiancée?”

“Yes, ma’am. We’re getting married.”

Ms. Miller looked up from the ring. “My baby’s getting married?”

Seemingly choked up, D’Vaughn nodded. Ms. Miller gripped her hand and took off further into the house, tugging D’Vaughn—who still had my hand in a vise grip—behind her. The older woman didn’t stop moving until she reached the picture window in the living room. The blinds were pulled back and gave a clear view of the front door and yard. She lifted D’Vaughn’s hand to her face.

“This is nice.”

“Thank you, Mama.”

Sweeping her eyes over D’Vaughn’s shoulder, she met my gaze.

“Did you pick this out by yourself?”

“No, ma’am. We chose it together.” I figured that would’ve garnered me an approving nod at least, but no such luck. From the way her face fell, you would’ve thought I’d just sold her favorite pet chicken to the nearest meat market.

“So, this wasn’t a surprise engagement?”

With a slow shake of her head, D’Vaughn stared at her mother. “No, ma’am. We discussed it beforehand.”

That wasn’t exactly a lie since we did discuss the details with Kevin before he pulled out three rings and matching band options for us to choose from.

Her eyes were back on D’Vaughn then, hurt shining bright in their dark brown depths. There was a thud in my gut as a pang of guilt slashed at me. Ms. Miller loosened her grip on D’Vaughn’s hand, letting it fall from her grasp as she took a couple of steps backward and sank down into the easy chair next to the window. When she looked up at her eldest child, the pain was written all over her face.