The Study

Diane and Dorian invite Taleah and Rhodes out for a family dinner, almost a year later.

NSFW/18+

Mom smiled, sharper this time, eyes sliding to our hands. "So. Are you two going to tell us, or should we keep guessing?"

Everything inside me froze. "Tell you what?"

"That you're dating," Mama said. "You think we're blind?" She pointed at Rhodes's mouth. "And I've never seen you wear lip stain. At least not in the same shade Taleah's got on right now."

We both stared, ears burning.

"We—" I started, but Mom cut in.

"It's fine," she said. "Better than fine. We're thrilled."

"Thrilled," Mama echoed. "I had Valentine's Day in the pool, but Di said it'd be after the bar exam."

"You bet on us?" I couldn't decide if I wanted to laugh or hide.