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“I’m not saying that because of your preferences. I’d really like to hang out with you and Niko. A day indoors, sharing a meal and spending time with you both sounds like the perfect day to me.”
I am not a creature of impulse. Yet I cannot help unbuckling my seatbelt, lunging across the car and kissing her furiously.
I am greedy for her, obsessed with every flutter of her lips.
I do not even recognize myself anymore.
The porch light on her parents’ house comes on.
Dejonae notices and pulls back from me. “I should go inside before they send a search party.”
“Tell your parents I said goodnight.”
She leaves the car laughing loudly. “I amnotdoing that.”
I smile and watch her walk all the way inside before driving off.
* * *
As Dejonae requested,I leave her alone on Saturday, only exchanging a few texts back and forth.
On Sunday morning, I sit Niko down in the living room and inform her that we will be having a visitor.
“Who is it?” she signs sleepily.
“Dejonae.”
Her eyes brighten. “Really?”
“There is something else I have to tell you.” I hesitate. “Dejonae and I are dating now.”
Eyes going wide, Niko launches over and hugs me. She signs, “What took you so long, daddy?”
I chuckle and run my hand down her hair.
Niko moves her hands excitedly. “When will she be here?”
I check my watch. “In about an hour.”
Niko whirls around and hurries to her bedroom to get ready. While she is gone, I call Ashanti. I promised her that I would inform her if my relationship with Dejonae changed. Since that is now the case, I wish to honor my word.
However, her phone goes to voicemail. I send her a text.
Ashanti, I need to speak with you.Call me when you have the time.
Footsteps patter down the hallway. Niko runs into view, her arms burdened with natural hair oils, creams and gels. Smiling at her obvious excitement, I brush her hair, secure it in a ponytail and send her out to watch TV. After I finish getting dressed, I start the meal and then join her in the sofa.
Neither of us are paying the television any mind. We continuously look at the door like twin addicts.
At last, Dejonae knocks on the door, right on time. Niko glances up when she feels the shift in my energy. Together, we scramble to the door. My daughter wears her eagerness on her sleeve while I keep my expression plain.
Dejonae smiles at Niko first and my daughter makes a sound of glee. In a blink, she attacks Dejonae with a tight hug. The two embrace and then Dejonae glances up at me.
I smile in welcome.
She smiles back and the feeling of rightness settles over me again.
Niko signs, “We got you your own slippers.” She hands over a pair of music-themed slides that came as a three-pair set. Niko has been trying and failing to get me to wear the ghastly things around the house. “Dad and I have one too.”
