Chapter 24

“That’s my man,” I said, somewhat proudly.

“I know he is, honey,” Tonya said. “And I ain’t picking at him. He comes from money—and that explains a lot. Probably had braces when he was a kid and his own tiara and a pool and the whole nine yards. Thing is, he’s not like you, Wiley. He’s not like us.”

“And thank God,” I said.

“But if you love him, you’ll make it work.”

“I dolove him,” I said.

“Then you’re going to have to deal,” she said pointedly. “There are worse things than having rich in-laws. And they’re leaving soon, so what do you care?”

“Jackson said his mother wouldn’t leave her money to him if she didn’t approve of me. What am I supposed to do with that?”

“Walking out on the woman is not the best approach, I can tell you.”

“You should hear the things that woman says. Then she started in on my book.”

Tonya laughed.

“What?” I said.

“I forgot about your book,” she said.

“So why are you laughing?”