Chapter 20 #3
I paused for a second, my eyes drifting across the room until they found Gianna again. She was at another table now, laughing softly at something a customer said, completely in her element before she strolled off. My chest tightened. “Yeah,” I said finally, my voice lower now. “I do.”
Mama studied me for another moment, then nodded slowly. “Okay.”
I knew her. That “okay” meant—I’m watching.
“Remy…dating an employee is an unfair power dynamic though,” Angel stated. "You're not going to fire her if things get messy, are you?"
I shot her a look. “Chill. You know that's not my style. She doesn't work here. She just popped up and offered to help when Tasha called off. Sheila is looking for coverage now.”
She grinned. “Okay. Because I was about to get on you.”
“Angel.”
“Aight, aight,” she laughed, holding her hands up.
I saw Gianna approaching with the drinks in her hands. I met her halfway and took the tray from her. "Just a heads up, I told my family we were dating," I mumbled under my breath.
Her eyes widened slightly. "Should I be worried?"
I exhaled sharply and shook my head. "No. I got you."
Her eyes lit up as she smiled. "Okay."
Balancing the tray in my hands, I led her back to the table. All eyes were on us. My heartbeat quickened and I prayed that my family didn't do too much.
Gianna began to help me unload the drinks that soft smile on her face. It was silent. "So…I'm sure you've heard," she cut the tension.
Angel let out an exaggerated sigh and laughed in relief. "Yes! Thank you for saying it. It's so nice to meet you, girl."
Gianna laughed softly. “It’s so nice to meet you all too.” She extended her hand toward Angel first.
Angel took it, already smiling wide. “I’m Angel,” she said. “His sister.”
“I can see that,” Gianna replied smoothly. “You favor each other.”
Angel grinned. “Oh, I know. I'm much better looking though.”
I shook my head slightly, setting Melo's drink down while Gianna shifted her attention to my parents.
“And you must be the people responsible for him,” she said warmly, her tone respectful. “It’s really nice to meet you.”
My mama took her hand, “I’m Betty,” she said. “This is his father, Stanley.”
My pops extended his head and gave a small nod. “Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you both,” Gianna replied, shaking his hand and holding their gaze without wavering.
My son watched her curiously. “Hi again,” he said, leaning forward with his chin in his hands.
Gianna’s face softened instantly as she leaned down just a little toward him. “Hi again, handsome.”
He grinned. "Are you gonna be me and Daddy's girlfriend?”
"Melo—" I began.
Gianna just laughed, touching my arm. "It's okay." She stooped back down to his eye level. "I don't know if your Daddy is gonna want to share me in that way. But maybe if it's okay with you, you and I can make our own special bond. How does that sound?"
Melo nodded, smile so big it made my heart tremble. "Can you make pancakes?"
Gianna gave his cheek a soft pinch. "Pancakes and French toast," she leaned in, "With chocolate chips," she whispered.
Melo gasped. We all chuckled.
"I like her, Daddy!" he exclaimed.
Gianna smiled warmly and straightened.
I looked over at her, heart feeling full. "Yeah. I like her too, son."
Gianna gave them all a final look. "I'll be right back with your orders." She smiled before walking off.
I watched her walk away, my chest feeling…different.
“Yeah,” Angel said, leaning back in her chair with a satisfied look on her face. “She ate that.”
I huffed out a quiet laugh. “Relax.”
“I’m serious,” she continued. “That could’ve been awkward as hell and she just…handled it.”
Pops nodded once in agreement. “She's personable.”
“Very," Mama added, her eyes still following Gianna as she moved across the floor. “And warm…in a way that doesn't feel fake.”
I glanced over at her again. She was already back in motion—checking on another table, jotting something down, smiling. Like she hadn’t just stepped into my life in the most unexpected way. “She’s easy,” I said.
All three of them looked at me.
I shook my head slightly. “Not like that. I mean…being around her. It’s easy.”
Mama’s expression softened. “That's important. For both of you,” she said quietly.
Melo was still stuck on the important part. “She said she makes pancakes and French toast,” he reminded me, bouncing slightly in his seat.
“With chocolate chips,” Angel added, laughing.
“She did,” I said, smiling, looking down at my son as his bright eyes followed her.
“I want her to come back,” Melo announced.
“We just saw her,” I replied touching the top of his head.
“But I like her,” he insisted.
Something about the way he said it did something to me. “Yeah,” I said quietly. “I can tell.”
Across the room, Gianna glanced up again. Our eyes met and for a moment, everything faded. It hit me out of nowhere…but I knew at that moment that she was the one. She was the one Dri sent for me and Melo. The realization hit me in the gut. My breath trembled.
"You okay, son?" Mama asked me gently taking my free hand.
I nodded quickly, giving her hand a small squeeze "Yeah," I replied, voice gruff. "Something just hit me that's all."