14. Khaleya #2
Da’ana clearing her throat was like a bucket of cold water had been thrown over us. Myheir didn’t give a damn she was there, but I did. I swatted his chest for him to release me, then snatched my phone from him and turned to leave.
Myheir cracked up as he followed us out of the room.
“If I had come a second later, I would have gotten a show,” Da’ana commented, then chuckled.
“Girl, please. He plays too much.”
Myheir’s brow rose, and he smiled.
“That’s my first time hearing that one. Da’ana, you riding with us?” he asked.
She smiled and waved him off while grabbing her car keys.
“Absolutely not. Y’all gone need some time alone after this damn dinner. I can get myself back, but thank you.”
I rolled my eyes and grabbed my keys from the kitchen counter as we all left the apartment.
The whole ride to my parents’ place, I tried to give him tips on how to survive this encounter. These folks were just as blunt as I was. Not to mention, they had something to say about everything.
I was so damn hot and cold when it came to Myheir.
The sad part was it had nothing to do with the way he treated me.
It all came down to the fact that I was scared.
This was safe when I knew we were supposed to be pretending.
Now, with the word pretend off the table, I’m left to face every fear that has kept me on the other side of dating.
The last ten minutes of the ride, I glanced out the window and sang the songs.
“Hey. It’s going to be cool. I don’t know your family, but I assume they just care about you. So anything that comes from tonight is about love and protection. I have no intent on taking anything personal, but I’m also not going to back down. I have to be honest about that.”
I turned to look at him and smiled. I didn’t want no bitch-ass man sitting beside me. So as long as he was respectful, I would be fine. But I also knew he was right. I rarely brought folks home, because it always ended everything I started.
Granted, those men weren’t worth keeping, but those were my decisions to make. I had to believe Myheir was different.
We pulled up to my parents’ two-story ranch-style home. I smiled the moment Myheir parked behind Kavon’s Jeep. I had such a great childhood here. It was one of the reasons I had no problem making time for at least one Sunday dinner with everyone a month.
“Thank you for saying that. I needed to hear that. But don’t say I didn’t warn you. These folks act like they don’t have any home training.”
Myheir smiled and nodded.
“I’m sure I’ve acted like I haven’t had any home training a time or two.”
I lifted a brow, recalling how he’d acted at that damn taco restaurant.
“I’m sure Marcus would agree.”
He frowned at the mention of Marcus, giving me a much-needed laugh.
“You still have a sore spot about that man,” I said in between chuckles.
“Nah, it’s the fact that you remember him so well. According to you, that was your first time meeting. I’m inclined to believe otherwise.”
I mushed his shoulder and continued laughing.
“That’s because I know his name aggravates you. You had that man online dragging me for filth. Trust me, I don’t know him like that. Now come on. I’m sure these nosy folks are looking out the window as we speak.”
Myheir and I turned to look at the front window, which quickly shut the moment we looked. He turned to look back at me, and we burst into laughter.
“Don’t touch that door handle, Doll. I’m coming,” he reminded me.
I waited patiently, although I was anxious as hell to get this over with. The moment he made it to my side, he pulled the door open, then held his hand out to help me out. I waited as he went to his backseat to grab the flowers he got for my mom and the bottle of wine.
I don’t know why he got that woman a single thing.
“You know my dad is going to be staring you upside your head, because you’re bringing flowers to his wife?”
“Doll, these aren’t just for your mom. Look a little closer.”
I leaned forward to see it was four small bouquets of red roses. I tried to hide my smile as he handed me my flowers.
“Thank you,” I responded.
He smiled. “You’re welcome, Doll.”
I stayed silent for a moment as I brought the flowers to my nose. He kept this up, and I would be locking him to my side.
“Your family home is beautiful. Did you grow up your entire life here?” he asked as we walked towards the porch.
“I did. I actually had my first kiss right there.” I pointed towards the large tree with the swing still attached, although it had seen better days.
Myheir lifted a brow and frowned. “How old were you?”
“Big, get out of my business. You need to be worried about what you’re going to say when those folks ask why they’re just now meeting you. I’m going to tell them that we’re in a fake relationship, so you weren’t ready,” I said without batting an eye.
His eyes expanded, and a slow smirk arose on his face.
“You wouldn’t,” he countered.
I shrugged. “Okay. I guess we will see then. Test number 2, let’s see how quick you are on your feet.”
“Woman, what have you been sitting around watching? That damn Steve Harvey movie. The one with Kevin Hart in it.”
I chuckled as the front door was pulled open before I could touch the doorknob. My mother was standing there, gripping her hips, with my father on the side of her.
“What were you waiting for, child? It doesn’t take that long to knock on a door, Leya,” my mother chastised.
Myheir greeted my mother first and handed over the red roses. Then he turned to give my father a handshake.
“It’s nice to meet you both. I brought a bottle of wine, I wasn’t sure what you would prefer, so I went with a Moscato. It was the safest option,” he said.
My dad shook his hand but still hadn’t said much. My mother was still blushing over her roses he’d given her.
“Thank you so much for the flowers. Please come in out of the cold,” she said, waving us inside.
My dad stepped to the side, then asked Myheir if he drank whiskey, in which he nodded. My father urged him to follow him. That move alone had me nervous as all hell. I was real close to following them, but my mom grabbed my arm to bring me towards the kitchen.
“Where is your macaroni salad?” she asked.
The doorbell rang, letting me know Da’ana had made it.
“Da’ana has it. Which she might need help, so let me go get the door.”
I turned and left the kitchen without waiting on her response.
I walked back to the front door and pulled it open for Da’ana.
She had a bag around her wrist from one of our favorite bakeries.
So I was certain she’d made a stop so she didn’t come empty-handed, although we lived together, she still liked to bring something too.
I took the macaroni salad from her, and she followed me into the kitchen after closing the front door behind her. The moment she stepped into the kitchen, she hugged my mom, then handed her the pastries she bought.
“Myheir bought those?” she asked, whispering while pointing at the bouquets on the counter.
“That he did. The man is resourceful.”
“I’m sure. After I saw you were practically ready to give that man everything you had.”
I rolled my eyes and smirked.
“What was that, Da’ana?” my mom asked. She was nosy as hell.
“I said I practically got everything Sweet Treats had,” she responded.
My mother gave her that look that said she knew she was lying but wouldn’t push it. Just then, Meli came into the kitchen texting and holding a bouquet of roses.
“Girl, why didn’t you tell me we’re entertaining a millionaire tonight?” Meli asked, gesturing down to the expensive-ass red roses.