Page 67 of Double

I smiled to myself because I believed her.

“Ugh, today’s a big day. I didn’t really have time for all of that lovemaking we did this morning.”

I chuckled. “Why’d you say it like that? Like we weren’t really making love?”

She shot me a grin as she moved through the kitchen at top speed, holding the hanger of the garment bag that contained her ball gown above her head. It had been four months since we’d returned from that trip to Iredia, and in that time, my wife had truly blossomed. I felt like she had come into herself. She was more settled, more confident, and more kick ass than I’d ever seen her. I loved any version of her, but I really loved the self-assured Tinsley.

“Your breakfast smoothie is right here.” I pushed the travel mug filled with the healthy concoction toward her. “I made it while you were in the shower.”

She slowed for the first time since she’d entered the kitchen. She gave me a pretty smile and kissed me lightly on the lips before grabbing the drink. “Thanks, Bookie.”

“You’re welcome. You need a ride?” Initially, she wanted to hold the Halloween Sneaker Ball at Mahogany Hall, but as the tickets sold, she realized the space wouldn’t be large enough. She ended up finding the perfect venue in the South Loop and had to meet her team down there to make sure that everything was good for the evening’s event.

“Nah. I’m good.”

I no longer drove her around the city or made her stay tucked up under me. After her experience in Iredia, she came back ready to get serious about self-defense. She even had me take her out to Lucky’s shooting range once a week. I knew I wasn’t dealing with the same Tinsley that had arrived from Iredia in January, when she asked for a Sig Sauer pistol as a birthday present. She called it Precious.

“But if you’re not busy, I could always use another set of hands on deck.”

I winked at her. “I got time. Let me grab my suit. I’m presuming we can change at the venue.”

“We can. Now, move your feet, Handsome. I’ve got somewhere to be.”

“Oh, okay. Let’s make moves.”

The two of us donned our shoes, locked up the house, and made our way to her SUV. She handed me her keys. “You drive. I have too much on my mind.”

I climbed into the driver’s seat and started the truck. Once we were on the expressway and headed toward the destination, I spoke. “What’s the thing you’re most worried about today?”

“Can I say everything?”

“Everything?”

“Well,” she hedged, “not everything. The vendors your grandparents provided were top-notch.”

“If there’s one thing you gotta give to Big Hill and Tiny, it’s that they’re classy as hell.”

“As hell. The décor is gorgeous. And the menu? Oh, the food is going to be so good. I guess my biggest fear is a vendor backing out or being late. Something not coming off like we thought it would come off.” She glanced over at me. “Some of the vendors are teenagers.”

“Word?”

She sighed. “Yes. I thought it would be good for . . . representation. You know, the kids get to see somebody who looks like them, who’s not too much older than them, doing something important at a gala.”

“Which vendors are teenagers?”

“We have two DJs, so one of the DJs. The MC, and one of the two photographers.”

“That’s what’s up. I think that sounds dope, and I’m sure everything will work out. You got this, Mrs. Waters. Your first event is gonna leave the people talkin’.”

“In a good way, though, right?”

I kind of wanted to laugh at how stressed she sounded. “In a good way, Sweetheart.”

As the event wound down, Tinsley, my grandparents, my parents, and I found ourselves mingling in the lobby near the exit. As guests prepared to depart, the vast majority of them made sure to stop by and let one or the other of the women know how much they enjoyed the event. Many commented on the décor, the food, and the fact that their children actually enjoyed a gala for the first time ever. Tinsley was all smiles, and I could feel her confidence grow even more with each compliment.

Once the venue was empty of guests, my grandparents and my mother hugged Tinsley.

“Girl, you say you owned an event design business on Iredia, and it showed tonight. This event was everything,” my mother gushed. “You thought of everything—activities for the kids, food for the kids, mocktails for the kids. When I saw that bar cart set up next to the actual bar, I was lost for a moment. Then I saw kids coming up, ordering drinks. It was too cute! And I think the parents were impressed. Most of them looked so surprised to see something like that for the kids.”