Cherisse watched as Reba placed her two index fingers in the air and kept widening the gap between them. Reba’s mouth dropped open as Cherisse didn’t tell her to stop.

“Damn, girl, is your vagina okay?”

Remi choked on the cake, and the entire situation was too funny. Especially because Reba still had her fingers apart, way too far apart, eyes open wide.

“I’ll let Keiran know how much you overestimated. But enough dicking around, help me pick a cute outfit that’ll make him weak in the knees.”

#

AS SOON AS SHE ARRIVED at her mother’s house, Cherisse was swarmed by family members and friends, wishing her a happy birthday. Most people hung outside under the covered garage or tents her parents had rented for the occasion. Some were inside, drinks in hand, catching up with family they hadn’t seen in years. Her mother had basically turned her birthday into a small family reunion too.

Aunties she hadn’t seen since she was a teen descended, critical eyes taking in her off-the-shoulder floral crop top and high-waisted shorts. She’d decided to show some leg today just to tantalize Keiran but hadn’t considered it would be fodder for the aunties who loved to criticize about everything.

“Buh aye aye, where all that bumper come from? Too much good food, eh?” Auntie Veronica, from her dad’s side of the family, sized her up.

Cherisse braced for a cheek pinch. It had been years since she’d seen this aunt. She was the oldest and loudest. Didn’t have a filter, ever. Veronica always had some comment to make on her hair, or weight, or anything for that matter.

“Hi, auntie.” She made the hug brief, hoping to escape before Auntie Veronica launched into the inquisition.

“Or too much happy times with the man?” Auntie Veronica leaned in, dropping a wink, tone heavy with insinuation.

Cherisse laughed—her default response to anything her older relatives had to say. This auntie would get the scoop soon enough. She wasn’t inclined to tell her about Keiran because then everyone at the party would know. She didn’t want Keiran strolling in with all eyes on him. He was already going to have to face her mother. Poor man had no idea what he was walking into. Perhaps she should have warned him first. Her family loved to pry, and Cherisse hadn’t brought any potential guy around her family since Sean.

There went the butterflies battering away at her stomach again.

“Yuh not saying anything, so is true, eh?” Auntie Veronica persisted. “And I hope whoever it is, you not just hanging out. That cousin of yours always just hanging out with some girl. I swear is a different one every month, can’t keep track.” Her aunt sniffed. “What it is with you all and being scared of relationships? I tell you, I don’t understand this generation at all at all.”

She suffered through Aunt Veronica’s speech about the failings of the youth today until her dad swooped in to the rescue.