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Though Nina had barely touched the food on her plate, Rodney chomped on the ribs. He wiped sauce from his mouth with his paper towel. “You put your foot in this, Nina.”
Though he usually stayed away from pork ribs, they were his favorite treat, and Nina was glad he was enjoying the meal.
Laila dropped her fork, and it clanked against the plate. “Your foot? Eew!”
“It’s an expression, baby,” Nina said.
Bree rolled her eyes and paused from shoveling macaroni and cheese into her mouth. “Duh!”
“I used your daddy’s momma’s recipe, rest her soul. Did she ever know how to cook,” Nina said. “I wish I could have spent even one day in the kitchen with your grandma. She was a culinary genius.” Rodney’s mom had died six months before Nina had met him. She had apparently scared off a number of his previous girlfriends. Apparently, no one was ever good enough for her son, and Nina doubted she would have been either.
“Yep, Momma used to make these meals every Sunday—not just special occasions.” Rodney dipped his biscuit in gravy.
Nina’s smile faded. Of course. She wiped her mouth, surprised at the red lipstick on the paper towel. Lately, she didn’t wear makeup, but tonight was a special occasion.
“Can we give Daddy his presents now?” Laila asked.
“Sure, that sounds good,” Nina said.
As Laila and Bree scrambled out of the room, Nina dashed to her bedroom. She’d scoured Santana Row’s shops for a gift for Rodney and had finally found the perfect one. Hopefully, he’d like it as much as she did. In the walk-in closet, she grabbed the Hennessey out of the black shoebox and swallowed a couple of swigs. She needed a little to keep her spirits up for Rodney. She reached to the top of the shelf on her side and pulled out the gray box before hurrying back to the kitchen.
Bree ran to the kitchen table. “Me first.”
“No, me,” Laila whined, trailing behind Bree.
“I have two hands.” Rodney accepted the gifts and unwrapped them simultaneously—a custom-painted mug that read “I Heart Dad” from Bree and a tie from Laila. He gushed his appreciation.
Nina held her breath and handed her husband the box.
Rodney jiggled it playfully. When he opened it, his jaw dropped. His eyes met Nina’s. “This is... how much... how’d you...”
“The only question is do you like it?” Nina asked.
“I love it. Thank you.” He slipped the Rolex onto his wrist.
Nina exhaled, glad she’d picked the right watch for her husband.
“Ooh, fancy,” Bree said.
“I want one just like that for my birthday,” Laila said. “Maybe just a little smaller.”
Nina forgot herself and laughed.
Rodney chuckled. “Girls, this has been wonderful. Why don’t we go watch a little television while I let all this delicious food digest?”
“I pick the show.” Bree ran out of the room with Laila on her heels.
Rodney finished his third flute of champagne and pointed it at Nina. “Any more champagne in the fridge?”
“There is.” Nina didn’t think he needed more.
“Why don’t you open it?” Rodney gave Nina a wink.
“Will do.” With Rodney drunk and happy, Nina’d actually done something right for the first time in a long time, and the evening was going better than she’d hoped. Maybe after the girls went to sleep, she and Rodney could actually spend a couple of hours together alone. They needed time to reconnect.
She retrieved the champagne from the fridge and proceeded to open it over the sink. Outside the window, water poured from the sky, soaking the girls’ tree house and wooden play structure.
Hands rested on her shoulders, and Rodney spoke into her ear. “Thanks again for everything.” His words slurred. He planted a wet kiss on her cheek then her neck. His body pressed against hers in a warm but unfamiliar way.
The usual disinterest was mutual. Ever since she’d started taking the medication, her libido disappeared, not only because her sex drive had plummeted, but also because of the extra weight—nothing sexy about that. Rodney said he didn’t mind, but the way he’d become a junk-food Nazi and exercise enthusiast evidenced the contrary. In spite of all that, Nina wasn’t opposed to reigniting their sex life, especially if it could also bring them closer together.
The doorbell rang, and Rodney pulled away to glance at Nina. “Are you expecting anyone?”
“I invited Deja and Miles, but I assumed they couldn’t make it since I didn’t hear back from her.”
Rodney chuckled. “I wouldn’t mind seeing that kid.”
Nina returned the unopened champagne to the fridge before following Rodney to the front door.
Though she’d be happy to see her friend, she had become convinced that tonight might help her marriage over the hump it had been in lately.
Deja and Miles stood on the porch. “Happy birthday,” Deja said. “Hope we’re not too late.”
Rodney held up his wrist to check the Rolex. “You two are right on time.”
“Happy birthday.” Miles handed an envelope to Rodney.
Rodney took the envelope, his grin spreading. “You didn’t have to get me anything. Come on in. We have some food and cake with your name on it.”
Nina opened the door wide. “Hurry in, Miles. It’s getting cold out here.”
“Yes, Auntie Nina.” Miles sprinted into the house.
Deja followed him in then stopped in front of Nina. Her face had an unusual sullenness. “Are you wearing makeup, Nina?”
Nina placed her hand on her cheek, growing self-conscious. “Yeah.”
“You look pretty.”
“Thanks.” Nina hadn’t expected her friend to be the one to appreciate her effort that evening. She followed Deja inside, a mix of disappointment and relief washing over her.