Page 31 of Set My Soul Ablaze

“And I’ll be content with that.”

I wouldn’t say it out loud, but I think I was ready to see what could come from romantically dating Flame in the future.

As cliché as it was, Flame had lit something deep in my core, and I wanted to see how hot the fire would burn between us.

The soulful melodyof a love song hummed through the Bluetooth speaker while I scrambled eggs. Since the date with Mali last night, I felt like a new man. I woke up with a new joy in my heart. Something told me we would transition out of the friend zone soon.

“What’s got you singing like we’re in a nineties movie?” Mama asked as she entered the kitchen. “And you’re cooking? Oh, the world must be ending.”

A laugh filled the air. “Chill on me, Mama. I can’t cook us some breakfast?”

“Artez, you don’t even wake up for breakfast on your off days. This is foreign to me.” She examined the food as I distributed the scrambled eggs on two plates. The full meal included the eggs,crispy shredded hashbrowns, and thick cut hickory smoked bacon with the perfect crunch.

“Times are changing, Mama.” I kissed her cheek and grabbed our plates to sit at the table. She followed me with two glasses of ice-cold orange juice. We said a quick grace before we ate in a comfortable silence for a few moments.

“Who is she?”

“Ma’am?” I looked up from my plate to see her staring at me.

“You’re your father’s son, Artez. He was a very romantic man too. He would hum and whistle songs just like that. Who has my baby boy smitten?”

I laughed. “Nobody says smitten these days.”

“Well, it perfectly describes your action.”

“Her name is Mali. We’re taking things slow, but I have a feeling you’ll meet her soon.”

Mama’s face lit up. “I’m so happy to hear that. I feared you’d fall into the curse of the provider.”

I raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

“Some people who take on the role of provider lose themselves while caring for those they love. They give everything to their loved ones and neglect themselves in the process. It’s why so many self-appointed caregivers often fall into a health crisis of their own when their loved ones pass.”

“Hold on now, woman. You tryna leave me here alone with Alana’s hardheaded ass? “

“Not too much on my daughter now. But seriously, Tez. You show up for me, Alana, and the boys naturally. I’m happy to see you letting someone come in and love you in a way your family can’t.”

“I don’t know how far it’s going to go, honestly. I’m letting her set the pace, but she told me no man has ever made her feel the way I make her feel, and that shit got to me, Mama. I think I’m . . . falling in love.”

“Aww!” Mama placed a hand on her heart and cooed.

“Chill.” I chuckled and finished the last couple bites on my plate before I sat back and smiled.

“Look at that goofy grin on your face. You’re gonna give me more grandbabies. I can’t wait.”

“Slow ya roll, Mama. I ain’t said nothing about kids.”

“You didn’t have to. A grandmother knows. I’m going to call it now: Y’all will have three kids, a dog, two cats, and a weird pet I’m not going to want to touch.”

I let out a laugh deep from the pit of my stomach. “Mama, you got to chill. Why you think my kids gon’ have a weird pet?”

“You had weird shit back in the day. Remember that weird-ass water thing?” she asked.

I raised a brow as I tried to remember what she was referring to. I had fish, a turtle, a parrot, and— “Oakley the Axolotl. My boy could play Tic Tac Toe and everything. Damn, I miss my dawg.”

We shared a laugh as Alana, Jordyn, and Jadyn walked into the room.

“Hi, Nana and Uncle Tez,” the boys said in unison.