4. Tyree

I stretchmy legs in front of me on the couch and wait. Clarissa is still getting ready. Our parents and my brothers have a dinner planned, and we try to get together every few months at least. Clarissa’s dad works a lot, so we have to shuffle the schedule, but once he retires, we’ll have more time.

That’s probably the best part for me. I’ve seen and heard horror stories of unstable in-laws and strife between families, but we never had that issue. I love her family like they were my own, and she feels the same about mine. My little brother acts like Clarissa is the only one who can give him advice about girls and what to expect when he gets to college.

It stings a little bit because I’m his big brother, but it’s cool he has someone to lean on. I didn’t have anyone for those embarrassing questions, and I damn sure wasn’t about to ask my dad.

“Okay, I’m ready,” Clarissa says, coming out of our bedroom and pulling me from my thoughts.

I smile up at her, and my heart melts. She really is beautiful. She recently cut her hair into bangs, so it’s this mass of big curls—I think they’re called wand curls. Her hair, paired with a white bodysuit and high-waisted black pants, makes me wish we didn’t have to leave. I fucking love this girl like I’ve never loved anyone before.

“You look great.” I stand and pull her into my arms, relishing the smell of her perfume. I meant what I said before; I am so ready for our story to get to the end. When she’s my wife and life is sweet. When I call her Mrs. Williams and it’s real. When I can watch her belly grow and get her ice cream at two in the morning because she has a craving. I smile into her neck and hug her tighter.

“We’re going to be late, Tyree!” She laughs but doesn’t move to release me.

“Yes, ma’am.”

We pull apart, and she grabs her purse so we can lock up. The restaurant is about twenty minutes away, and her parents, my parents, and my two brothers should already be there.

I hold one of her hands as we drive and love the feel of my ring on her finger. Not in a territorial sense because I have no fear about where her heart lies. I guess I’m just excited about what it means—her and me.

A team.

A true partnership.

My parents have been married for thirty-four years, and the way they move in sync is admirable. I’m not much for the actual wedding planning, but my excitement isn’t far off from Clarissa’s.

Clarissa’s phone pings, and I look over before I’m back focused on the road.

She laughs before she speaks. “It’s Theo. He says he’s hungry, and we’re late.”

“Tell his ass we’re almost there. And why didn’t he call me?” I ask, laughing.

She doesn’t speak, but I catch her side eye as if to ask, really?

Like I said, my family loves her. “Five more minutes,” I say, and she pulls her hand away to finish typing. I miss the weight and warmth of her hand, and as soon as she’s done, I pick it back up and kiss her knuckles.

It takes more or less ten minutes to get to the restaurant, and we quickly park and run in.

A hostess is standing at the front, writing on a pad. We wait to get her attention, and when she notices us, she apologizes. “So sorry. Table for two?”

“Actually, we’re a little late for the Williams/Camp party.”

After looking at the computer, she nods. “Yep, right this way.”

She picks up two menus and leads us to the dining room. The place is full, and I spot my brothers in the back. There are eight of us, so we have plenty of room at the side table. The hostess leaves us, and we greet our families.

“Mom, Dad.” I bend down to hug my parents. My twin brothers Tate and Theo give me a dap before Clarissa and I switch, and I greet her parents as she greets mine.

“‘Bout time,” Theo mutters, and I squint my eyes.

“Not the baby,” Clarissa says. It’s something she started doing when I’m about to call my brother out for something. Anytime she thinks I’m about to rant, she saves him.

“He’s seventeen. He ain’t been a baby for well over a decade.”

She pinches his cheek, and he melts. He actually melts. His eyes droop, his shoulders relax, and I shake my head.

“Clarissa, really?”

She laughs, and he joins her. When she turns her back, he sticks his tongue out.

“Why were y’all late this time?” Clarissa’s mom asks after taking a sip of water.

I’m smart enough not to answer. We aren’t always late, but if we are, it’s always because of Clarissa. It just takes her longer to get ready, and her logic, much like her shopping trips, is denial. What she claims is a twenty-minute trip will be an hour. What she claims will take thirty minutes to get ready for dinner will be an hour and a half.

I smile and have a seat, and Clarissa sits next to me.

“So, how was everybody’s day?” Clarissa says, changing the subject, and we all laugh.

“Leave my daughter-in-law alone. Beauty takes time,” my mom chimes in with a wink.

“That’s right,” her mom adds, and I just nod. This is not a fight I’m willing to start.

A waiter comes over and pulls out a pad and pen to take our order. I look over to Clarissa and lean in her space. “What are you getting?”

“Hmm,” she hums while flipping the pages. “I think the chicken or salmon, maybe.” I nod and place my menu down to study hers.

“I can get the chicken, and you can get the salmon, so if you don’t like it, we can switch.”

She turns to me, and I fear I resemble my brother, melting into nothingness as she stares at me. My shoulders relax, and I tilt my head.

“I see I’m not the only baby,” my brother whispers, and I’m too caught up in Clarissa to say anything to him. She brings her hand to my cheek, and I lean into her. A collective aww is expelled from the table, and I close my eyes.

“You are so sweet,” she says, leaning to hug me. I’m too content to be embarrassed, and I’ve eaten with Clarissa enough to know she tries a new dish at every restaurant, but it doesn’t always pan out, which is why I offered.

“Anyway, Clarissa, I was hoping you could give me some advice later,” Theo says, bursting the bubble I’m in.

“Of course.” She gives him her attention, and I shake my head. My dad laughs, and I know it’s at my expense. My brothers really do love Clarissa.

“So, where are you with the planning? Is there anything I can help with?” my mom asks.

Clarissa smirks and looks to the side.

“Actually, I need some feedback on the live band.” As she’s speaking, she leans over and pulls the lavender binder from her purse. I’m not sure it can be called a purse if she can fit her wedding book in it, but she does.

“I have their stats and a sample of each on my phone. Let me—” She cuts off her words, digging further into her purse.

Our moms clap in unison, and I smile. I appreciate everyone’s enthusiasm with the planning since it’s really not my thing.

As the waiter completes our orders, the table is full of side conversations competing with the music playing. It’s not loud enough for us to disrupt other tables, though.

“What do you boys want for your graduation?” Clarissa’s dad asks.

My brothers pull their heads from their phones and grin from ear to ear. “Well?—”

My mom interrupts. “They will take whatever you see fit to give them.”

“Really, mom?”

“Really.”

“Tess, let the boys say what they want. They have good grades, and both have been accepted to college. Give them a break.” Bless my dad because my mom is now glaring at him in a playful way. Mostly.

The table laughs, and my brothers go on a rant about a new video game. It’s the game of the year that no one can get their hands on. There’s some kind of raffle, and I’m wondering why they wouldn’t just sell it to the masses instead of creating this frenzy.

“If it’s that hard to find, how will I get it for a gift?” Mr. Camp asks.

“Exactly,” Theo says while pointing to his nose. “This is why cash makes the most sense.”

“You don’t have to worry about early morning raffle times,” Tate adds.

They move in sync like they’ve rehearsed this for hours, and I shake my head. I personally don’t mind cash gifts, but my mom always disliked them. To her, it’s tacky and shows a lack of care, which is no doubt why they went over this convoluted plan so she wouldn’t have a rebuttal. She narrows her eyes but doesn’t speak.

“Sounds perfect to me too,” Mr. Camp adds, and I laugh.

The food is delicious, and as we eat, all the conversation dissipates. I catch Clarissa peeking at me from the side, so I ask, “Switch?”

She bites her lip and nods, and I switch our plates. It only takes a few bites before she’s dancing in her seat. The chicken was good, and so was the salmon, so switching our food to make her happy doesn’t bother me.

We laugh and talk for what feels like hours, and everyone eventually votes for our favorite live band while Clarissa takes notes. One band was smooth but more lively, while the other had vocals out of this world. The lead sounded like Luther Vandross, with a control and tone that gave me chills. Before long, our table is clear and our bellies are full.

Sometimes, I wish we could do this more than every few months. We just mesh so well it makes me wonder what it will be like when Clarissa and I have kids. Will our parents forget everything they did when we were little and spoil them rotten? I hope so.

I’m pulled from my musing as my dad speaks. “Well, kids, it’s been nice, but it’s getting late.”

I check my watch, and it’s seven forty-five p.m. I can never say they’re not consistent. They’ve been going to sleep early for most of my life. It might as well be midnight to them.

“Same for us,” Clarissa’s parents add with a laugh. Mr. Camp pays the bill, and we all stand to leave. After the first dinner, he and my dad worked out a schedule. They take turns, and we avoid the twenty-minute back-and-forth of them both trying to pay.

As we laugh and make our way outside, my brother comes up to my side to get Clarissa’s attention. My arm is wrapped around her shoulder, and her face is tucked into my chest.

“Clarissa, remember I needed advice,” Theo says.

My parents stop, and my dad gives Theo a look as we walk to the sidewalk. “Three minutes. Any longer, and Tyree is taking you home.”

By the end of the sentence, my parents are giving us their backs on the way to their car, and I laugh.

“Do you mind, Tyree?” Theo eyes me with his brows raised high.

I constrict my eyes to slits and pull Clarissa closer. “I do. You heard Dad, stop wasting time before you get left.”

My brother huffs and stands there, looking at me unblinking. His eyes are wide like he can’t believe what I said.

I shrug and start walking before he jogs next to me. My other brother Tate is trailing my parents with his head in his phone, and Clarissa’s parents are getting into their car.

“Okay. Okay, fine. So, I was wondering if— How— What is the best?—”

“Boy, get it out. What are you asking?” I interrupt his stuttering. While Tate is low-key and never asks for advice, Theo is a little more anxious. Even as a kid, he worried about making friends.

“Really, Tyree? He was getting there.” Clarissa pulls back, and her warmth is missed. I try to hold her tighter, but she’s shaking her head. “Two minutes,” she says, pushing me toward the car.

I tilt my head but don’t speak. She holds up two fingers, and I dart my eyes from Theo to her before letting him have this win of privacy and unlocking the car.

She crosses her arms over her chest and moves from side to side—a clear indication she’s trying to keep warm. We were in a rush, so I didn’t think about her forgetting her coat. The temperature has dropped since we first left home. I can’t hear their conversation, but my brother has his shoulders tucked in as he nods to whatever she’s saying. I start up the car and blast the heat, rubbing my hands to speed up the warming process.

A few minutes later, she hugs him, and he’s darting to my parents’ car as I wait for Clarissa.

She gets in the car and immediately directs the heat to her. After a few minutes of her remaining quiet, I’m curious.

“Well, what did he ask?”

“Tyree, you know I can’t tell you that,” she says with a laugh.

“What? He’s my brother.”

“But I was sworn to secrecy.” She points to herself and gives me a wink. “Aww, come here,” she says in a baby voice and pulls my face to hers. Her smile radiates, and her perfume floats around our heads. I find myself melting in her grasp, and the details of what my brother needed are less important.

“It’s nothing major. Just girl problems.”

She shrugs and pulls me closer. I hold her wrists as she holds my face. We kiss, and I swear this is the best part of my day. I can’t wait until we’re finally married.