Page 40 of A Minute Past Midnight
“So you grew up in some mansion?”
“No mansion but close.”
“And your parents?”
Her smile faded a little. “They love me. I know they do, but they have too many expectations.”
“What kind?”
“My family has those supermarkets, and they always assumed I’d work there. That I’d eventually become part of everything they built.”
“And you don’t want to?”
“It’s not that simple.” She looked down at her food. “They aren’t exactly happy about the choices I’ve made for myself.”
I stayed quiet, giving her the space to continue.
Then she sighed. “There was my ex too.”
My eyes lifted. “What about him?”
You better not still have feelings for that nigga.
She shrugged. “Things just didn’t work out. I guess I spent so much time trying to be what everyone else wanted that I forgot what I wanted.”
Something about the way she said it bothered me, because I understood.
Juliana had spent so much time carrying other people’s expectations that she probably didn’t know what it felt like to decide without worrying about disappointing someone.
Then she looked directly at me. “Can I ask you something?”
“Yeah.”
“All these things you’ve been doing for me . . .” Her voice trailed.
My eyebrows pulled together. “What things?”
“The car, the house, and taking care of me.” I watched her carefully. “I just hope you’re not doing all of this so you can throw it in my face one day.”
For a moment, I was offended.
Actually offended.
I leaned back in my chair. “Seriously?”
She looked away. “I’m just saying.”
“No.” Her eyes came back to mine. “Juliana, I don’t do shit expecting to use it against you later.”
“I didn’t mean—”
“I know what you meant.” My voice softened. “But I need you to understand something. If I do something for you, it’s because I want to. Not because I’m keeping score.”
She stayed quiet. I reached across the table and took her hand.
“You don’t owe me shit because I bought you something. You don’t owe me your love because I’m trying to make sure you’re comfortable, and you damn sure don’t have to stay with me because we’re having a baby.” Her eyes relaxed. “If one day you decide I’m not the man you want to be with, I’ll be hurt. I’m not going to lie about that.” I rubbed my thumb across the back of her hand. “But I’m never going to throw what I’ve done for you in your face. That’s not who I am. It may be my money that I’ve invested, but everything has your name on it. What Tasha Cobbs say? There’s a blessing in this room with your name on it.”
She smiled a little. “You listen to gospel?” she asked.
