DK
Ipatrol the living room, wearing a trench in the hardwood as I pace the floorboards from one end to the other.
It’s already eight. Has she told him yet? Is she doing okay?
Luna has her own mind, but I know having her father’s support is crucial to her.
Neo: Any word yet?
He’s been my co-pilot through the waiting, helping me navigate the kind of anxiety that makes my whole body feel like a shaken soda can.
Me: No. It’s been 2 hours.
Neo: Try to chill, bro.
Easy for him to say. I drag my hands down the sides of my shorts and force myself to sit. Thirty seconds later, I’m back on my feet.
Then finally?—
My phone lights up with a message from her.
Mnandi Luna: We talked. He’s expecting your call. No pressure, boo. Just be your amazing self.
I stare at the screen, rereading the message. This just got real.
Her father. Me. Two men she deeply cares about meeting in a way that counts.
I text Neo. He wishes me luck. Then I scroll to Montell Webber, about to make the most important call of my life.
It rings three times before he answers. “This is Mo.”
“Mr. Webber, it’s Dakarai Ramos. I appreciate you taking my call, sir.”
“I don’t have to tell you how much this relationship could cost my daughter,” he says, cutting straight to it.
“I’m doing everything possible to minimize the risk.”
“Except stay away from her.”
“Yes, sir. Except that.” I own it. “I have strong feelings for your daughter. I know my position makes that hard to believe, but my intentions are honest. I wanted you to hear that from me.”
“Honesty is a high bar, and a secret relationship doesn’t exactly clear it.”
“I understand your concern. Rayne isn’t someone I want to hide. I’d be proud as anything to make us known. But women in politics don’t always get a fair shake… and this… our relationship being made public now while I’m working for Diablo would make unwanted headlines. Until the election is over, discretion is what we decided is best—for Rayne and her campaign.”
A measured silence. I can almost feel him weighing my character through the line.
“You believe you’re what’s best for her?” he asks.
“Only Rayne gets to decide that. But I am committed to being the man she needs.” I picture her face in the breath I take before I speak again. “Rayne loves with her whole heart, and she deserves to be loved that way, too.”
“On that, we can agree.” Another pause. A father processing. Worrying. “Rayne is convinced you’re a good man. Sincere. I trust my daughter.”
“Thank you, sir, for keeping an open mind. That means a lot.”
“It should. I don’t want her hurt by any of this.”
“I won’t let that happen.”
