5. Clover
Clover
W hen I See You
“Boys! Come in here for a second! I need to speak with you!”
Tatum was at the door first, wearing a grin while Pierce crept up with a frown.
“What’s up?” Tatum lifted his head.
“Don’t ‘ what’s up’ me. Have a seat.”
I waited until the boys were comfortable on my bed before I released a shaky exhale fueled by nerves. “I know there have been different people around lately. I want to know how it makes you guys feel?”
Tatum shrugged. “I don’t mind. The Sons of Eshu are those niggas!”
“Hey!” I yelled, giving him a stern look. “Watch your mouth!”
“It’s the truth, Mama,” Pierce chimed in. “I know you don’t like us watching YouTube, but I looked them up. They’re a well-known car club. They ride bikes too. My friends say they’re a gang.”
“I’m not asking your friends. I’m asking you.”
Tatum leaned back and placed his hands behind his head. “I can tell you like Durk. He’s cool. As long as he treats you right, he can be your boyfriend.”
My eyes sprang open. “Wait. I didn’t say all that. We’re going on a date, so I wanted to pick your brain.”
“I like the way he protected you and Kya.” Pierce nodded. “Papa said we have the right to use his shotgun if The Pablos come back, and Durk isn’t here.”
“All right. That’s enough.” I slapped my thighs and jumped to my feet. “Let me finish getting dressed.”
They rushed out of the room like rats, leaving me with my thoughts. I searched through my clothes, scouring for something to wear while also remembering Durk would think I was beautiful either way. With only twenty minutes to get ready, I settled on an olive-colored dress with a Queen Anne neckline. The piece was sleeveless, so I paired it with a black trench I did not plan to wear long.
“Mama! Dookie Durk is here!”
I could hear my heart pounding through my chest as I made my way downstairs. Durk watched me intently once I came into view, and I returned the intense stare. From head to toe, he wore Dior. His straight-legged pants were a pretty shade of blue, and his button down appeared to be made of silk.
“Damn, you look good,” Durk said what I was thinking. “That dress fits you like a glove.”
Tatum sucked his teeth. “Aye, man! Don’t talk about my mama like that.”
“What? Do you want me to call her ugly?”
“Whatever. Just remember what you said.”
Durk popped Tatum’s collar. “Get out your feelings, little one. I’m going to bring her back in one piece.”
“You better!”
Durk laughed as his focus fell on me. “Are you ready to let me take you out, pretty lady?”
I accepted his outstretched hand. “I’m ready.”
“What are we drinking on tonight? Dark or light?”
My teeth held my bottom lip hostage as I lusted over the handsome man. “I’m on dark tonight.”
“Oh, you want to get nasty? Let’s see if you feel the same way by the end of our date.”
The drive from my house to our destination lasted forty minutes. I used the time to bask in Durk’s cologne and pick his brain about his interests. When we arrived at the marijuana café, Fusion Eatz, my date spoke with the host while I eyed my surroundings. Greenery covered the ceiling, and wood lined the walls and floors. Most of the tables were low and only large enough for two people while the square-shaped chairs were spacious. The hotspot encouraged smoking, yet the aroma of citrus competed with the smell of weed. Before the server escorted us to our seats, she informed us they were hosting a couple’s workshop and had us write questions to ask each other later in the night.
“Is everything on the menu infused with THC?” I asked once seated.
Durk reached over and flipped to the back of the menu. “That’s where you’ll find the virgin dishes.”
“I may have virgin skin, but I can’t say the same for my lungs,” I admitted. “There was a time when I smoked every day. I stopped when I became serious about finding a job, but tonight, I’m down to indulge.”
“Speaking of your job. Do you like what you do? I can’t imagine you cleaning up behind people for a living. I actually hate the thought.”
“Well, that’s too bad. I love my job. Everything doesn’t need to be glamorous. Some people are on stage, and others are behind the scenes.”
“I hear you, but what’s the end goal? You don’t have a desire to start your own cleaning service or something?”
Our server came over to take our order and drop off the bottle Durk requested when we arrived. We shared a toast then threw back a double shot of dark liquor before I restarted our conversation.
“I enjoy the incentives I receive from working for the school district. Plus, I enjoy working around kids. If anything, I want my boss’s job.”
Durk nodded as he removed a blunt from a Grabba Leaf pack and lit the tip. “My folks have connections in the city. Say the word and—”
“No, thank you. I want to earn the position.”
“Oh, trust me, if I made the call, you’d work for the favor.” He winked. “Come here.”
I leaned forward, moving so close his goatee tickled my chin. I got ready to stick out my tongue, prepared to taste him, but he shook his head.
“Inhale,” he whispered before sending a stream of smoke through my puckered lips. “Good girl.”
On the edge of my seat, I grew eager as I reached for his blunt. “My turn.”
“Nah, baby. I do the bending around these parts. Let’s figure out what you want to eat.”
“Whatever.” I snickered. “I already know I want sushi.”
“Bet. What Lucky wants Lucky gets.”
As Durk ordered for us, I glanced around the unique hangout, smiling from ear to ear. I became loose courtesy of the shotgun and the princess treatment. A part of me regretted waiting a month to accept Durk’s offer to take me out. The other half of me was just happy he stood on business and didn’t take no for an answer.
Oh shit.
The sight of three men with red rags hanging from their pockets put me on edge. They sat in the back of the restaurant, sharing a joint. The burly one looked familiar, but I didn’t want to stare too long and ignite an issue. Before I could point them out, Durk peered over his shoulder. His bright smile was still intact when he faced me, but I saw his nostrils flare.
“As long as they stay chill, I promise not to turn this muthafucka upside down,” he expressed in an even tone.
I balled up my hand and stretched it across the table. “Promise?”
He pounded my fist. “I got you.”
The owner of Fusion Eatz walked to the area where most of the couples were seated. He explained the point of the exercise they were conducting and highlighted how therapeutic it could be to do while on Cloud Nine. I didn’t believe Durk purposely brought me to the place while there was a pre-set event on the calendar, but I thought it was perfect for our first date.
“All right, I’ll go first.” Durk brushed his hand over his waves as he stared at the index card. “What the hell, Lucky?”
I snickered. “Just read it.”
“If you had to pick your last meal, what would it be?” His bronze-shaded stare caught the ceiling after he handed me his blunt to smoke. “Soul food. Gimme some sticky turkey wings, yams, and cabbage.”
“That’s easy work. I can make that.”
“Hol’ up. Are you planning to take me out?”
“I don’t plan to,” I sang. “But if it comes down to it, at least you know I’ll feed you first.”
“Hell, in that case, I want to change my answer. The new answer is pussy. Your pussy, to be specific.”
“Too late! It’s my turn.” I concentrated on my card. “Where do you want to be in five years?” I hummed. “ I want to be out of debt. In love. Closer to God. What about you?”
“Out of the streets. Sitting on a bag bigger than my balls. Away from a vengeful heart,” he answered without missing a beat.
“I didn’t know you were still in the streets.”
“I dibble and dabble when the price is right. It’s nothing that will ever touch our doorstep.”
Warmth slapped my cheeks. “Our? You’re slick.”
We threw back a second shot of cognac as the server walked over with our food. Though everything smelled delicious, my focus was on our conversation, not my appetite.
“What’s up with the toothpick?” I asked.
Durk grinned. “I guess it’s like a safety blanket. I have dyslexia, and when I was in school, I realized the wood helped ease my anxiety. It became a habit I never let go of.”
Thrown off by the revelation, I sat speechless. Durk had a unique sense of humor, but the shakiness in his voice convinced me he was telling the truth.
“Is that something you still struggle with?”
“I wouldn’t say struggle, but it’s a part of my life.”
Not wanting to melt the chocolate-coated man with my heated stare, I encouraged Durk to take another turn.
“Who was your idol growing up?” He recited my words. “I want you to answer first.”
“All right. I wouldn’t call him an idol, but I loved DMX.”
Durk’s curly lashes flung back before he abruptly busted up laughing. “Get the hell out of here!”
“I’m serious! People judged him for his exterior, but from the music and interviews I’ve heard, he wasn’t as rough as folks assume. He was a protector despite his demons. That was my dog—no pun intended.”
A quiet spell crept up on us, making me shuffle around in my seat.
“What’s wrong?” I quizzed.
“Nothing’s wrong. I think I just realized I can’t let you go.”
A girlish giggle glided through my lips. “You are full of game. How are you going to commit to me with all the women you’re used to having around?”
“I’m not as bad as you think. I mean, I do entertain different women, but I don’t keep them around. There is no one to cut off. This is the first date I have been on in years. I’m happy I came too. Maybe later on, I can take you home and make you cum.”
I reached for my drink to keep from cheesing like a goofball. The juice below my waist wet my panties, but I couldn’t do anything about that.
“You have a way of making me forget I should act like a lady,” I confessed.
“You can cut up all you want. If somebody judges you, they’ll see me about it.” He leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on my lips.
“Next question,” I said above a whisper. “How do you know when love is real?”
“I’ve only been in love once. I knew it was real when I couldn’t go to sleep until she dozed off. I didn’t want to miss a moment with her.”
“Oh, wow. She had you hooked!”
“Shut up.” He laughed. “It’s on you.”
“Hmm...I guess when I went against my parents’ rules to be with him. I had been obedient most of my life, but Calvin made me feel like he cared for me more than anyone breathing. There was an instance where I almost went to jail for him.”
Durk’s smile fell flat. “That should’ve been the day you knew shit wouldn’t work between y’all. There’s no amount of money or fear that would make me do some bogus shit like that.”
“All right.” I lifted my hand to stop him. “Enough about that. Do you want babies?”
“I don’t know. After meeting Tatum, I’d say no. Pierce makes me open to the possibility.”
“Don’t talk about my babies!”
“I’m fucking around. They’re cool, and they don’t play about you. You’re doing a good job, Lucky.”
After putting two blunts in the air, we exchanged flowers for food. Durk called me out because I ordered one thing then asked to eat off his dish, but a smirk stayed on his face as he fed me. I was in bliss in the company of the attentive man, however, a ball formed in my throat when the men I noticed earlier approached our table.
Cool as a fan, Durk reached for his glass and smiled. “I’m happy y’all came over. I need a refill.”
“This nigga thinks shit is a game,” one of the men spat. “Durk, you are one bold nigga. Coming to my hood by yourself is crazy. You know we don’t fuck with you.”
“I’m not by myself. I’m with my lady. I know you see that.”
The sloppy-body frontman snarled. “I don’t give a fuck about this broad. She’s a snake too. My boy wouldn’t appreciate his baby mama fucking on a crab ass nigga, especially—”
The screech from Durk’s chair cut off the wide man’s statement.
“Don’t talk to her. Don’t look at her. Nigga, hold your breath when she’s around!” Durk growled. “I don’t know what slob you’re talking about, but dry snitching instead of sliding is a bitch move. We all know why you’re really mad. I beat your brother’s ass ten years ago. Get over it!”
“That’s bullshit!” Big Man tugged on his jeans. “My hate for you runs deeper than that. Fuck you, and fuck Clover!”
The second my name reached the atmosphere, the beast in Durk soon followed. He smashed his fist into the lead man’s face before he gripped the neck of another, who seized the handle of a gun. I yelled and pleaded for him to get control of himself, but my words didn’t reach him. The only thing that snapped the menace out of his rage was the owner of the restaurant, threatening to call the police.
“Durk…” I sighed and touched the side of his face.
“Don’t fucking touch me!”
My head snapped back faster than I could blink. “What? I’m not your enemy. You’re letting them get the best of you.”
“Let them tell it, you’re somebody’s enemy. None of y’all can get the best of me, baby!” he shot back with words sharp enough to slice through my chest.
“Sir! The police are on their way!”
In shock, I watched Durk wave his gun in the faces of the people who challenged him. One man lay knocked down. Two wore mean mugged us but didn’t move a muscle.
As if he hadn’t almost killed a man, Durk tore four hundred dollars from a knot of cash and dropped it on the table.
“Let’s go, Clover!”
“Stop yelling at me!”
“You heard what I said.”
The car ride back to my place was so quiet I could hear my heart crack. Over and over, my mind replayed what happened. I couldn’t recall where I knew any of the men from, but it was obvious they knew me and my kids’ father.
“Durk...I didn’t know you and Calvin were from different hoods. Even if I thought about it, I wouldn’t have thought it made a difference.”
“What?” he blurted. “You are not that naive. I told you where I’m from and who I ran with before S.O.E. You knew enough.”
Frustrated, I slammed my palms against my thighs. “This is ridiculous! You’re too old to allow a gang to dictate how you move.”
“Not when I’ve broke bread and shred blood behind it!” A sinister laugh jumped from his lips. “The fucking irony. The last woman I loved…she played me for a slob too.”
“Love, I’m not playing you. We are still getting to know each other.”
He shook his head. “I think I know enough.”
“You can’t be serious. I have done nothing to you.”
“And I won’t give you the chance! How do I know you aren’t on some setup shit?”
My breath recoiled at the back of my throat. “Really? That’s something you think I would do after I let you into my home. My body. My heart?”
Durk sped up my driveway at the same speed a tear rolled down my cheek. I felt him look my way when I swiped the evidence of my frustration of view.
“Are you going to leave without us talking about this?”
He stripped a toothpick from a piece of plastic while saying, “Ain’t nothing to talk about. I don’t fuck with nothing associated with that side. Be easy, Clover.”
“Whew, Lord. Why did I volunteer to come up here?” I groaned as I shoved open the emergency exit.
“Oh, shit!”
“Oh, shit is right!” I spat, eyeing the group of ninth graders. “All the cameras around the school, and you guys decide to get on the roof to smoke?”
Reggie grinned and tugged on his baggie khakis. “Whatchu talking about, Ms. Clover? We aren’t doing anything.”
“The smell of weed and strawberries says differently. Give me the vapes and get to class. Now!”
The group of knuckleheads exchanged pointed stares before Reggie urged his friends to do what I said. As soon as the vapes touched my palm, I dropped them on the ground and crushed them with my boot.
“Dang! You couldn’t wait until we left before you did that.”
“Y’all don’t hide the fact that you do drugs. No need for me to make it a secret that I’m getting rid of them. Goodbye!”
Instead of following the boys back to the first floor, I sat on top of the building with my feet dangling off the edge. The breeze was refreshing, and isolation gave me time to think. I couldn’t say which addition to my to-do list was weighing me down, but one of them included a conversation with Durk. We had flirted, touched, and connected since the night we met, but the moment he got scared, he blew me off.
My phone vibrated against my thigh, jolting me from my daydream. At first, I let the call go to voicemail, but the second time it went off, I answered.
“What’s up, Karlie?”
“What are you doing tonight? Going out with Durk?”
I rolled my eyes. “Ugh. No. We aren’t seeing each other anymore.”
“Wait. What happened? Didn’t I warn that fool I would hurt him if he hurt you?”
“I don’t believe it was intentional. We went out earlier in the week, and our night was beautiful until his enemies approached our table.”
“What does that have to do with you?”
“Apparently, they’re connected to Calvin. One of them called me out for being his kids’ mother. Things went left from there.” I groaned as I mulled over what kept me up at night. “The worst of this is I slept with Durk.”
Karlie gasped. “Friend, are you serious?”
I lay back, making work an afterthought as I focused on the clear sky. “Dead serious. I don’t know what came over me. One second, we were laughing in his tattoo shop. The next, I was on his lap with my panties to the side. I knew I was moving fast, but I thought he wanted to me.”
“Hol’ up. What did Durk say?”
I gave Karlie a rundown of what happened at Fusion Eatz then went on to what happened in the car.
“It sounds like he was upset. People say things they don’t mean in the heat of the moment.”
“You’re right, but his words still hurt. The sad thing is I only crossed the line with Durk because of Davis. He swore I wasn’t Durk’s type. I guess I wanted to prove him wrong.”
“Come on, Clover,” She moaned. “You know we don’t play that insecure shit.”
“I wasn’t being insecure. I was being human. Now, I can’t avoid Durk since him and The Sons of Eshu are still staking out my house. All I can do is go home, pour a glass of wine, and cook a delicious meal for my kids.”
Once I ended the call, I skimmed through Instagram. The influx of new followers and engagement made me nervous. My latest post was on trend, but it wasn’t anything grand.
After ten minutes of searching through my timeline, I saw my handle tagged in a post. The username was unfamiliar, and we didn’t follow each other, but the first image on the page infused my backbone with steel.
Durk took the selfie the night we met. In the image, he was snuggled against the side of my neck while my hand rested against his cheek.
My good luck charm. That was the caption. I was hesitant to view the comments. However, my curiosity superseded my restraint.
She’s pretty.
I’ve been following Clover!
This nigga is a simp.
I giggled under my breath while rushing to my feet. If I didn’t get off my behind, I would be on the roof until the sun went down, trying to connect with new followers.
By the time I made it downstairs, an unusual amount of attention soared my way. I tried to play it cool, keeping my shoulders straight and head high, but the unknown shifted my vision from left to right.
“Reggie!” I snatched him back by his backpack. “Why is everyone staring at me? Did I miss something?”
“Nope, but now I know why you never gave me a chance. You’re dating Durk from The Sons of Eshu. Y’all picture is going viral.”
My eyes grew wide. If students knew details about my private life, there was no way my colleagues were in the blind.
“Ms. Clover, please report to the main office,” poured from the overhead speakers.
A mixture of fear and guilt bubbled in my belly as I dragged my body to the other side of campus. As soon as I strolled into the office, Mr. Sudan and the principal approached me.
“Ms. Clover.” Principal Powell shook his head. “Just like our students have a code of conduct, the same goes for us. When your off the clock affairs bleed into work, we have a problem.”
Confused, I narrowed my vision. “I’m sorry, Principal Powell. I don’t understand what you’re referring to.”
He exhaled then pushed his office door open. An array of flowers and stuffed animals covered the room.
“The delivery man asked for you,” he declared.
“I am so sorry, Principal. I’ll have everything moved out of your office immediately.”
He bowed his head. “Please do, and remember what I said.”
Out of twelve bouquets, I saved four of my favorites and gave the others to teachers I admired. The school day ended soon after my trip around the campus, and after I picked up the boys, I went home.
A group of luxury cars and motorcycles filled my block, confirming I had a house full. I filled my lungs with as much air as they could hold before I released it through my nose and got out of the car.
The boys rushed into the house, but I greeted the man sitting on my porch. “It’s a good day to be blessed”
“Amen.” He nodded. “How you are doing, Clover?”
“I won’t complain. O’Cyrus, right?”
“The one and only. The ladies are in the house. The guys and Durk are in the backyard.”
I nodded and followed the boys through the front door. The sound of laughter guided me into the living room, where my twins and Kya settled with the ladies. The time I spent with them had been short-lived, but the group had good energy. Blaze was a protector. Stevie was the sweetheart of the bunch. Stony was feisty.
“Hey, pretty lady!” Stevie rose from her seat when she noticed me. “Your boys are so cute!”
“And being gentlemen I hope.”
Pierce’s brows jumped up on his forehead. “I am. I don’t know about my other half.”
I laughed along with the ladies before I announced I would be back after my shower.
“Auntie Clover!”
I spun around, hearing the panic in Kya’s voice.
“Umm. Durk said the head of The Pablos is coming over.”
“Oh, now you understand the seriousness of the situation. Now, you’re scared?”
“I’m not scared. I just...I thought this was over once they picked up the brick. They’re coming back for an apology.”
“Then you better get your speech together. You violated. You should be grateful that’s all they want, Kya.”
She looked toward the door and nodded. “All right. I can do it.”
“Yes, you can. Give me twenty minutes, and I’ll be back out.”
The idea of guests in my home made me speed through my shower. I covered my silky bob with a bonnet then washed my body twice. Once I was fresh, I threw on my favorite leggings and oversized crewneck.
In the kitchen, I recognized I didn’t have enough of anything to feed my guests. Thai food was always a hit, so I placed an order for a few family platters.
“What are you doing in here?”
The ladies convened in the kitchen, each carrying a wine glass and wearing a smile.
“Do you need some help?” Blaze asked as she refilled her glass.
“No. I ordered dinner instead of cooking. I’m just chopping up fruits and vegetables to snack on.”
“Whew! Thank heavens.” She playfully wiped her forehead. “I wanted to be polite. Cooking is not my forte.”
Blaze relaxed at the kitchen table while Stevie ignored my words and washed her hands.
“You may not need help, but I want to help you,” she suggested, bumping her hip against mine. “I know it’s never easy coming home to people in your personal space.”
“I don’t mind. I’m happy I don’t have to deal with this mess alone. I refuse to get my parents involved.”
“Oh, don’t worry. We got your back,” Stony said, pulling a handgun from her designer purse. “Durk has brought you into the family. We’ll go to war over you, girl.”
Shock unhitched my jaw, yet she put the steel away before I could speak.
“Clover, how old are you?” Blaze wondered aloud.
“I’ll be twenty-seven at the end of the year.”
Stevie whistled. “Damn, girl. Raising twins as a teen had to be a heavy load to carry.”
“It was, but my parents helped. They still believe it takes a village to raise a child. They are a Godsend.”
When I turned to rinse off a knife, I spotted Durk through the window. His back was to me, but I still marveled at his broad shoulders and long arms.
“Aww, look at you,” Stevie sang, pointing at me. “I think you’re good for Durk.”
“I thought so too, but things have changed. I can’t be too upset. We haven’t known each other long.”
“That doesn’t make a difference,” Essen commented as she entered the room. Based on her button up, dress pants, and backpack, I assumed she was coming from school. “I don’t feel bad for you. I told you if you got caught in his web, he wouldn’t let you go.”
Blaze lifted her glass. “The picture he posted on social media confirms it. Durk doesn’t do shit like that.”
Heavy bass and loud music from outside put our conversation on pause.
“I think The Pablo’s just pulled up,” I commented.
Like a pack of schoolgirls, we shamelessly scurried to the front of the house, each finding a spot to peek out of a window.
Essen groaned. “Blaze, Church hasn’t taught you how to read lips?”
“Girl, fuck you.”
I studied the redhead. “How did he lose his hearing?”
“It’s not my story to tell. Just know it doesn’t stop shit he has going on.”
I respected her stance while also admiring how protective she was about her partner. The fire in her pretty eyes and the scar on her face proved Blaze had a story to tell, a story I hoped to hear one day.
“Did y’all see that?” Stony asked. “Durk handed the ugly one a brown bag. I thought returned Kya the brick.”
Stevie nodded. “She did. Shiloh convinced Durk to give them a few dollars too. I guess it’s a way to ensure there are no problems.”
Kya stepped forward with her head down. Had I known they were getting ready to meet, I would’ve gone with her. But, I could tell by Durk’s body language he would take a charge before letting anyone touch a hair on Kya’s head.
Thankfully, dinner arrived after the groups dispersed. The men came inside and settled around the house while the ladies fixed their plates. Duke and I didn’t exchange many words, though he found any reason to touch me when we passed each other.
It was close to 10:00 p.m. when everyone except for Durk went home. While he walked his family outside, I made sure the boys’ had bathed and were in bed. The duo was sound asleep when I entered their room, yet I lingered in their space, trying to avoid the inevitable. Durk and I needed to talk, but I didn’t know how to approach it. One second, he was spazzing because of my past, and the next, he was showering me with roses. He was confused, and I was annoyed.
I dragged my feet once I stepped down the hallway, but I perked up when I walked into my bedroom. “I appreciate what you did for Kya. I think holding her accountable will make her rethink her moves.”
“Let’s hope so.” He shrugged. “What about me and you?” he asked without mincing words.
“What about us? Our last interaction revealed a lot about us .”
He tugged on his New York fitted. “Don’t do that. Niggas pressed, and I had to do the same.”
“I’m not mad at you for that. I just don’t like feeling like I’m the problem. I was just as shocked as you. The gifts were beautiful, but an apology would’ve worked just fine.”
“Saying shit like that makes me want to give you things before you think of them.” His hands dropped to his sides. With one step, he was in my personal space, causing us to share the same breath. “I was wrong. I’m man enough to say that. I looped you into my past, and I forgot all I see is my future when I look at you. Whatchu want to do, Lucky?”
I tapped his nose then stepped back. “Get some rest. I have to be up early. Since your kind gesture pissed my boss off, I must be a model employee.”
“What? Is somebody up there giving you problems?”
“No, no,” I answered, sensing his hostility. “It’s not anything deep.”
“Yeah, okay. Can I sleep with you tonight? I’m not gon’ front. It’s been three weeks since you hopped on my—”
I placed my hand over his mouth. “There are kids in the house.”
The sensation of his wet tongue brushing against my palm compelled me to jump back.
“I’m not going to play like I don’t want to taste you, Lucky, but I’ll be a good boy tonight. Promise.”
I scoffed as I tossed pillows off my bed. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep. I don’t like that you made me feel untrustworthy.”
“I’m not an easy man to deal with. Sometimes, I lose my head, and I can’t be nice. I promise it is not you.”
I straightened my neck like a swan. “In that case, since you trust me, you’re going to let me teach you how to swim.”
His bright smile fell to the floor then quickly reassembled. “As long as you agree to attend my grandmother’s party. It’s three weeks away, so put it on your calendar.”
“Oh, I get to kick it with the family?”
“Hell, I’m trying to make a family with you, but we can start there.”