Chapter 6 #2
Nico pushed the door open, and the smell of some good home cooking immediately smacked his nose.
He was home. His favorite place to be. This wasn’t the home he grew up in.
He upgraded his mama’s house as soon as he made enough money to do so many years ago.
Still, wherever his mama resided was where home was for him.
He was definitely a mama’s boy, but in all the best ways.
“It smells so good,” Remedie murmured, and her stomach growled again.
Nico looked behind him and saw her looking around curiously. His mama’s house was a cozy two-bedroom home with two levels.
“Mama knows her way around the kitchen.” Nico grinned as he led her through the house.
When they got to the kitchen, the first person Nico saw was hungry ass Tyree.
He sat there munching on a chicken leg. He stopped when he spotted Nico and Remedie.
He tilted his head back and laughed. “I know you ain’t kidnap that lady, Nico.
Aye”—he looked at Remedie—“blink twice if you need help. I got you, boo.”
Nico popped him on the back of the head with a good amount of force. “Shut the hell up.”
“Don’t you two start.” Nico’s mom turned from the stove and peered at Remedie and then at Nico. A slow smile formed on her face. “And who is this, Nico?”
She hugged him after asking the question. Nico always melted into his mother’s hugs, even though he she was much smaller than him. Joyce Graves was the only woman who ever gave him comfort and unconditional love. How could he not do everything in his power to show his love for her?
When they pulled apart, he turned to Remedie and grabbed her hand. “Ma, this is Remedie. She’s playin’ hard to get, so she ain’t my girl yet, but she did agree to be my personal chef.”
Remedie giggled nervously as she reached her hand out to Joyce. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“It’s nice to meet you, too, baby. A personal chef, huh? You like cooking?” Joyce asked.
Remedie’s eyes lit up. “I love it. Always have.”
Joyce looked at Nico. “She’s pretty and passionate.” She patted his cheek. “Good job, honey.”
Nico beamed at his mama and pulled Remedie into his side. “I think so too.”
Remedie pulled away from him and playfully pushed him away. Before she could speak, Tyree laughed again from his seat at the center island.
“Ma, they just met last night. Don’t feed into that weirdo’s delusions.”
Remedie poked her head around Nico and said, “Thank you! I been tryin’ to tell him that.”
Joyce hit Nico on the arm. “Now you ain’t say all that. Nico, what you got goin’ on?”
“Just goin’ after what I want like you taught me.”
Joyce shook her head and fought to hold back her grin. “I don’t know what to do with you sometimes.”
“Love me like you always have,” Nico replied.
Joyce turned to Remedie. “You’ll have to excuse my son. He doesn’t do anything half-assed. And he definitely ain’t brought a girl home to mama before. You must be somethin’ a lil special if he brought you ’round.”
Nico loved the way Remedie blushed when she got a compliment or too much attention. He watched her squirm as he held her hand tighter.
“I’m not really sure what to say,” Remedie finally muttered.
Joyce’s eyes crinkled at the corners as she offered Remedie a soft smile. “Don’t say a thing. And don’t let this man bully you into nothin’ you don’t want to do. You sure you want to be his personal chef? If you don’t, tell me now so I can talk some sense into him.”
“N-no! I mean yes, I do. I actually need this job. I’m thankful that he gave it to me.
” Remedie glanced at Nico nervously. He thought it was cute that she was nervous about fucking up this job.
She had no idea she could have told his mama that she didn’t want the job, and she would still have a damn job with him if she wanted it.
She could burn down his house trying to cook him some eggs, and she would still have a job.
Joyce looked between Nico and Remedie before nodding knowingly. “Okay, baby. Just remember what I said. Don’t let this man bully you. I think I have him a bit spoiled. He’s used to having his way. That don’t mean you can’t have a say.”
“I appreciate the advice.” Remedie smiled graciously, and Nico’s heart felt like it wanted to belt out a K-Ci and JoJo song.
“Come on, baby. Let’s finish up in here,” Joyce said to Remedie. “I have fried pork chops already in the oven, along with the mac. Just need to get the seasoning right on these greens and put the mashed potatoes in another dish.” She looked at her sons. “Go wash up and then set the table.”
“Yes, ma’am,” they said in unison before they turned to leave the kitchen.
Nico felt comfortable leaving Remedie with his mom, but he still pulled her close and asked, “You good?”
She still looked a little nervous, but she smiled at him and nodded.
He pinched her chin before turning to follow his brother out of the kitchen.
His mama confirmed that he was coming on entirely too strong, but he knew she would balance out his actions with a sense of calmness and Zen.
It was always what he needed when he felt life coming at him full force.
He prayed it would help Remedie, too, because one thing about him, he didn’t stop until he got what he wanted.
And he didn’t plan on stopping his pursuit of Remedie any time soon.