14. Chapter Fourteen #2
“I want more, Zahir. I say that as a man and not as a puppy. But I have to watch out for your feelings too. It’s not just me and—”
A knock sounded at the door.
Our gazes held.
“You get that while I check on dinner. I’ll meet you in the living room.” He pressed a kiss to my cheek, then gently spun me so I could head to the front door.
I did, of course. Nerves be damned—I would do whatever he wished. I never wanted to disappoint him. That would break me.
Alaina and Keegan stood at the threshold while Jai and Demetrius were a step behind. The young woman held out a tray covered in foil. “Nanaimo bars. I hope that’s okay and goes with whatever you planned. Or you can just save them for later—”
“Nanaimo bars are the best thing ever.” I took the tray. “Thank you.”
“I’m just bringing salad.” Keegan rolled his eyes.
“Salad’s very important.” I stood back. “Come in.”
The kids entered with their fathers following.
Demetrius relieved Keegan of the salad bowl. “Sorry, we should’ve checked.”
“I think we prepared Caesar. More salad is always a good thing.”
“Why don’t I take this into the kitchen?” He gestured to the tray as well.
I nodded. “You know the way.” I pivoted to Jai and the kids. “Shall I show you to the living room? It’s such a lovely house.” God, I sound like a real estate agent .
“That would be nice.” Alaina offered a genuine smile. “I love these old houses. Not that I don’t also love our newer house.” She caught Jai’s gaze. “We have tons of space, which is nice. But I like cozy too.”
“This way.” I led the small group into the living room as Demetrius peeled off and headed to the kitchen.
“Yes, really cozy. I grew up in an apartment, and I have to admit I like—” I was cut off as Daphne barreled into the room.
She must’ve been out in the backyard and a pang of guilt hit me that I hadn’t noticed her absence.
Both Keegan and Alaina dropped to their haunches.
Jai grinned. “Carrying on like they didn’t see each other just a few hours ago.”
“Gizmo and Gus were adorable.” I smiled. “I always wanted one when I was growing up.”
“We did too.” Alaina managed to say the words while being given many, many kisses. “We’re lucky our dads wanted them too.”
I like how she calls the men her dads. Another pang went through me as I remembered the man who’d fathered me.
How different he was from both Jai and Demetrius.
And how I wanted to be more like these men.
Not necessarily a father—but someone reliable.
Someone people could ask for help and know I’d give it.
I also yearned for a relationship with all four of them.
Which was crazy, given we’d just met. Still, I ached for it.
Keegan rubbed Daphne’s ears. “Having a dog is the best. Taught me responsibility.”
Alaina rolled her eyes. “You were responsible before. Keegan’s a great babysitter.”
Her brother puffed out his chest, and I smiled. “That’s great. Good babysitters are important in the world.”
“And good dog walkers. Alaina’ s got a business.”
“Wow. Sounds like you’re both entrepreneurial. That’s amazing.” Way more than anything I’d done at their age. Although I had gotten a job bagging groceries when I’d been just a few years older. To help Mom out with the expenses.
“How is everyone this fine evening?” Zahir swept into the room with Demetrius right behind him. “Ah, I see Daphne is being well cared for.”
Alaina giggled. “She’s a lovely dog.”
“She is at that. Sometimes I think rescues are extra grateful.”
“Gus and Gizmo seem to be.” Keegan cocked his head. “I mean, I have nothing to compare them to.”
I surveyed the room. “I think only Zahir has had a dog previously.”
Everyone sort of looked at each other and, slowly, we all nodded.
He grinned. “I’ve only ever had rescue dogs, and I can say they’re all wonderful.” He gestured toward the dining room. “Anyone hungry?”
Both kids popped up. “Oh yes.” Alaina rubbed her hands together. “Dinner smells amazing.”
“Yes, thank you for inviting us.” Keegan caught my gaze. “I love the idea of having more family.”
“Keegan.” Jai—with a slightly warning tone.
I smiled. “I like the idea too. Maybe you can tell me about your aunts and their families?”
We all moved toward the dining room.
Demetrius cleared his throat. “I might’ve told Imani and Malaya about you. They’re very excited.”
“Really?” I waited for Zahir to indicate where everyone should sit.
To my relief, he encouraged me to sit next to him—across from Demetrius.
I was surprised he wasn’t sitting at the head of the table.
That said, us sitting three across from each other in the middle felt far more intimate.
As he said—we would be able to keep track of the conversation.
And so we did. While Alaina and Keegan shared lots of insights on their cousins—Malaya’s boys—Demetrius shared various stories from his childhood.
Many involving his sisters who appeared, to me, to be very adventurous.
I liked the idea that he’d given them the best childhood he could.
That he’d cared for them into adulthood—even when their mother and then grandmother died.
His inherently caring nature was so clear.
Jai and the kids were damn lucky to have someone so compassionate.
You too. He’s offering to bring you into the fold . He hadn’t used those words precisely, but with every look, smile, and nod, he was making it clear he considered me to be an important person to him.
Every once in a while, Zahir would press his thigh to mine. Usually when my stress started to climb. He knew me so damn well. Which, three days ago, might’ve freaked me out. Today? I felt nothing but reassurance.
Dessert of Nanaimo bars hit the spot, and we headed out to the backyard to enjoy the lovely breeze as dusk arrived.
“So you’re okay with me arranging for you to meet Imani and Malaya?” Demetrius eyed me.
We were a bit away from everyone else—I appreciated them sensing I needed space. “Uh. Sure.”
“We can do each separately or—”
“Together is fine.” He’d said Imani was single, so that meant I wasn’t meeting two families. “Three adults and two children?”
He nodded. “Imani’s single right now. Even if she was in a relationship, I don’t know if she’d bring a partner to something like this. It’ll be okay. ”
“I trust you.” And, despite everything, I did. Or perhaps because of everything. I’d witnessed nothing but pure kindness from him and obvious affection from his family.
“I’ll be in touch.”
“Yeah. Okay. I look forward to it.” I met his smile. “Thank you.”
“No, thank you. I—” He swallowed. “I love my sisters…but to know I have a brother? Man, I wish you could stay in Mission City forever. Not going back to Toronto.” He held my gaze. “I get the feeling your life isn’t a bowl of cherries there.”
“Is that an expression?”
“I have no idea. But I love cherries, so I’ve just made it one.”
I smiled. “No, it’s not easy. But moving across the country might not solve all my problems either.”
“Look, I might be speaking out of turn, but—” He drew in a sharp breath and let it out slowly. “I know we barely know each other. And that blood isn’t everything.”
“No, it’s not. Evidenced by our father.”
“Yeah.” He winced.
“But you were saying?”
“Just that…we have a huge basement. We can turn it into an apartment for you. You can live rent-free and get back on your feet.”
I stood there—completely stunned. “You just met me yesterday.”
“Well, yeah. But I’ve known about you for a bit of time. Jai and I are in agreement about this.”
I wanted to argue. He didn’t know me. I might be a horrible person. I wasn’t…but that was hardly the point. Still, I had to give him something. “I’ll think about it.”
“That would be great.” He gazed over at Jai who headed our way. “Time for you to go back to camp? ”
Jai nodded. “Keegan and I have to go. Cody’s amazing, but he needs a break as well.” He turned to me. “Cody’s our camp psychologist. Totally reliable—but, in the end, the camp’s my responsibility.”
“I get it. Thanks for coming.” I smiled. “I really appreciate it.”
With that, we all said our goodbyes, and the family headed out.
I walked Daphne while Zahir cleaned the kitchen. That hardly felt fair—but he seemed to understand I needed time.
That said, when I returned to the house, I knew what I wanted.