Page 250 of Safe With You

“See? Raised right.”

“Mama.”

“What am I saying?”

“Too much.”

Her father laughed from the table.

I looked his way.

He stood and walked toward us, holding out his hand.

“Marcus Bennett.”

I shook it. “Ellis Monroe.”

“Good to meet you.”

“You too, sir.”

His grip was firm, his expression friendly enough, but he looked at me for a second longer than necessary before releasing my hand.

Not threatening.

Not unfriendly.

Just looking.

I understood it.

His daughter brought a man home.

I’d probably look too.

“And this is Mila,” Luna said.

Renee turned toward her. “I know. We’ve already been talking.”

Mila nodded. “She has macaroni.”

“I do.”

“And rolls.”

“Those too.”

Mila looked at me.

I already knew what she was about to say.

“I like it here.”

Everybody laughed.

“We haven’t even eaten yet,” I told her.

“I know.”