FIFTY-ONE
After a week of stealing time between work, Davia agrees to spend the weekend with me. She wakes me Sunday morning with a sensual kiss and the news she’s bringing me to family dinner.
My nervousness grows with the incoming evening. As we drive to her grandparents’ house, thoughts of my tattoos, selling dope, and pretty much how I’m a complete opposite of the previous man swarm my head. They probably have assumptions about me due to how things went down.
“Try to relax,” Davia says when I pull up at the two-story contemporary house. She reaches over to squeeze my hand. “My family will accept you.”
“Hmm.” I shut off the BMW. “Sure they don’t already judge my character for snatching you from ol’ boy?”
She snorts. “I was already on my way out. But the force between us gave me the nudge I needed.”
I squint at her while grinning. “The force, huh?”
She rolls her eyes playfully. “Come on. You’ll love my grandma’s cooking.”
Exiting the car, we interlock our hands and stride to the front door.
Davia leads me inside after knocking. “Hey, y’all.”
Everyone pauses their conversations. Davia’s mom and grandma stand from the sofa.
“Of course,” Shanae mocks. “I knew you’d eventually pull up with the club owner.”
I understand why Davia can’t stand her ass. She’s lucky I’m trying to make a good first impression on her family, or else I’d check her tone.
“Anyway,” Davia ignores her. “Y’all, this is Kross Krueger. My boyfriend.”
“Good to meet you, Kross,” Mrs. Sinclair welcomes me, her brown eyes sparkling with warmth. Davia resembles her, with the same button nose and almond-shaped eyes.
“This is my grandma, Mrs. Loni Sinclair.”
I extend my hand to her, saying, “Pleasure to meet you, Ma’am.”
“Call me Ms. Loni,” the kind older woman encourages before embracing me like we’ve known each other long.
“My grandpa, Mr. Nash Sinclair,” Davia continues.
“Good to meet you, sir.”
“Likewise, son.” Mr. Sinclair gives me a firm handshake, patting my shoulder before letting go.
“You’ve already met my mom.”
“Nice seeing you again, Ms. Sinclair.”
“Tanya’s fine,” she says with a smile.
“And this is Uncle Quest, my cousin Colin, Aunt Zandie, and her husband, Uncle Mac.” She huffs before adding, “You remember Shanae.”
I shake everyone’s hands and give Shanae a nod to be respectful.
“Trish is on her way with Reeve,” Ms. Zandie informs us.
“I’m surprised they’re still together,” Shanae remarks smugly. “Isn’t it her longest relationship?”
“Nae,” Mr. Quest, her dad, warns as she chuckles.
“Where’s your relationship?” Ms. Tanya throws at her niece.
“As if anyone wants her nosy—”
“No, no, no,” Mr. Sinclair stops Davia before things escalate. “Keep it peaceful, please.”
The ladies calm down.
“Uh, want something to drink, Kross?” Colin offers.
“There’s plenty of appetizers, too,” Ms. Loni adds. “Dinner isn’t until another thirty minutes, so help yourself.”
We gather in the kitchen. The different flavors blessing the air remind me of Mama G’s house. I’m sure I’m about to eat some bomb food, especially considering how yummy the appetizers are.
“So you own a club?” Mr. Sinclair starts the conversation with Ms. Tanya observing.
“That’s right, sir. Working on other ventures, too.”
He bobs slowly. “Good for you. My grandbaby is independent, but I like having assurance she’s safe.”
“Davi’s safe with me,” I affirm. “She knows I got her.”
Both smile, seeming pleased with my response.
Davia dips her head shyly and touches her neck when her mom squints at her.
The front door opens, and Trishell enters with Reeve, grinning at each other as if it went down moments before. They barely break eye contact to greet everyone. I wonder if they realize how enamored they are. It’s how I am with my baby.
I stare at Davia as she laughs at something Ms. Loni said. I’m so in love with this woman that even a minute out of her presence feels too long. I never thought I’d feel so deeply for anyone.
Conversations flow over the delicious meal. Davia didn’t exaggerate. Her grandma’s cooking is a formidable challenge for Mama G. I love that she included vegan options we can all enjoy.
Following dinner, we chat some more, indulge in brownies, and call it a night.
I drive back to my condo to enjoy the rest of the time with Davia before we resume our weekly schedule.
“How do you feel after meeting my family?” she checks, leaning into me.
“I’m good. They’re great people. It warmed my heart to see their love for you.” I smirk. “Your uncles and granddad pretty much let me know they’ll handle my ass if I ever slip up. Even your aunt scared me a bit.”
She chuckles. “They were only messing with you.”
“Mmhm.” I stroke her soft cheek. “Still, I would never fuck around and lose what we have.”
“I believe that.”
“You and your mom looked okay. Are things good between y’all?”
She delays before nodding slowly. “We’re doing better. She sent me morning messages all week about appreciating me.”
“For real?”
“Yeah, it’s pretty nice.”
“That’s cool. I’m glad y’all are working on things.”
She squeezes my hand. “What about your mom? How is she?”
“Staying in rehab. I’ll wait until the withdrawals subside a bit before visiting her.”
“Okay,” she murmurs and jerks my hand. “The twentieth of April is a week away. What would you like for your birthday?”
“Already have a gift,” I say, wiggling my brows.
She snorts. “But is there anything else you want?”
“Baby, just spending the day with you and my family is enough.”
She gives me a sly look before coming in for a kiss.