Chapter 20 #2
“Yeah, I’m working,” I nodded. “But I got you. Let me get y’all seated.”
I turned, scanning the floor subtly looking for Gianna. I looked across the room and found her moving between tables, tray balanced in her hand, smile easy as she checked in on a couple near the window.
My chest tightened. She hadn’t noticed them yet, but she would. And I didn’t know how the hell this was about to go. I led them to a table near the middle of the floor—not too tucked away, not too exposed either.
“Y’all good here?” I asked, pulling out a chair for my mama.
“We’re fine,” she said, but her eyes were already scanning me. “Why you look like that?”
“Like what?” I frowned.
“Nervous,” my sister answered for her, smirking slightly.
“I’m not nervous,” I shot back automatically.
“Mmhm,” she hummed, unconvinced.
Melo climbed into his seat, swinging his little legs. “I want pancakes.”
“It’s not breakfast, Melo,” I said, shaking my head.
He frowned. “But you make pancakes.”
Pops chuckled. “He's got a point.”
“I’m not making pancakes right now, buddy.” I replied, already distracted because Gianna was moving. And she was moving in our direction. I watched her approach, menus tucked under her arm, that same warm smile on her face—completely unaware of who she was about to greet.
My pulse picked up.
She gave me a quick smile. “Hi, welcome in,” she said smoothly, stepping up to the table. “My name’s Gianna, I’ll be taking care of you—” Her eyes landed on Melo, then shifted across the table. She paused as a flicker of recognition crossed her face. But she didn’t miss a beat.
“…taking care of you today,” she finished seamlessly, that same smile settling back into place.
I exhaled slowly, tension easing just a little.
“Have you dined with us before?” she continued, her tone warm as she looked between them.
Mama smiled. “We have, baby. My son owns this place.”
Gianna’s brows lifted slightly, her gaze sliding to me for a second. Then back to my mama. “Oh,” she said lightly. “Well, that explains the good taste.”
My sister snorted. Pops smiled.
Melo leaned forward, studying her. “You pretty,” he said suddenly.
I closed my eyes briefly.
Gianna paused, then her smile softened in a way I hadn’t seen before. “Thank you,” she said gently, leaning down just a little to his level. “You’re pretty handsome yourself.”
He grinned, dimples popping. I felt something shift in my chest watching their exchange.
Gianna straightened, pulling her pad out. “Alright, sweetheart,” she said to Melo. “What can I get you to drink?”
He looked at me. Then back at her. “…Juice,” he decided.
She nodded seriously, writing it down. “Juice it is. Orange or apple, handsome?”
His smile deepened. "Apple, please."
Gianna's smiled at him gently. "Of course."
Then she moved through the rest of the table, taking orders. She was natural. And I just stood there…watching her. Watching them. Observing how easily she fit into my circle even though they had no idea who she was.
That was until my mama’s eyes flicked to me noticing me watching her for way longer than I should've. Her eyes flicked back to Gianna. Then back to me again. Her brows lifted slightly and I saw her tap my pops on his leg.
"I'll be right back with your drinks." Gianna smiled at them. We shared a quick look before she walked away.
"Is she new? I've never seen her before. She's super pretty," Angel spoke first.
"She's just helping out for a few hours." I replied.
"So she doesn’t work here?" my mama asked.
"Not exactly." I replied looking away from her assessing eyes.
"She smells like cookies, Daddy." Melo chimed in.
We all chuckled.
I nodded slightly. "Yeah—she does smell good."
My mama's head tilted slightly. "Do you know her, son?"
Shit. I couldn't lie to them. I wasn't prepared for this to be the moment they met Gianna. We were still getting to know one another and our situation wasn’t defined. The timing couldn't have been worse. But—I wasn't going to deny her either. That didn't sit right in my spirit.
Finally, I let out a sharp breath. "We're dating."
Angel’s head snapped toward me so fast I thought she might’ve pulled something. “Dating?” she repeated, dragging the word out. "Wait—" she gasped pointing to the menu, "she's that Gianna?'
I nodded. "That's her."
Pops leaned back in his chair, arms crossing slowly over his chest, that same calm look on his face but his eyes sharp now. Observing. Taking it all in.
Mama…she didn’t say anything at first. Just looked at me long and hard. Then back in the direction Gianna had walked off before looking back at me again. “How long?” she asked finally, her tone even but curious.
“A couple months,” I answered vaguely.
“A couple months,” Angel echoed, eyebrows raised. “And you just… forgot to mention that?”
“I didn’t forget,” I said, already feeling the heat creeping up the back of my neck. “It’s new. I was gonna say something when it made sense.”
My mama hummed softly, not fully convinced. “Mmm.”
Melo looked between all of us, confused but entertained. “What’s dating?” he asked.
Angel snorted. “It means Daddy may have a new girlfriend, buddy." She placed her arm around his chair.
Melo’s eyes lit up. “She gon' be my girlfriend too?”
That made us all laugh again. I shook my head. “Nah, buddy. That’s not how that works.” I ran my hand over his hair.
“But she nice,” he insisted.
“She appears to be," Mama said quietly, still watching me. I glanced over at her. That curiosity mixed with a little concern now in her eyes.
“She carries herself well,” Pops added, finally speaking. His tone was measured, thoughtful. “Confident.”
I nodded once. “Yeah. She is.”
Angel leaned forward slightly, resting her chin in her hand as she looked in the direction Gianna had gone. “She’s pretty too,” she added. “Like… really pretty.”
“I heard you the first time,” I smirked
“I’m just saying.” She shrugged.
My mama’s gaze shifted back to me, her head tilting just slightly. “And you like her?” she asked direct.