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“So, this is the real reason you’ve been up there this long?” Orylin Sr. asked. “I knew it couldn’t have been only Delilah. The minute Miguel’s in town, babygirl doesn’t remember us.”
“Lilah and I still see each other,” she insisted. Primarily when Miguel wasn’t in town. “And yes, he’s the reason.” She stroked her ring finger with her thumb, touched metal, and stopped. “We’ve been…together for a little while now, but we met last year.”
“I know the story. Lilah told me all about Greece.” Her father pointed a thumb behind him. “So, Lucas, my daughter had you hiding in the bedroom to avoid me?”
Lucas shook his head. “Not rea—”
“I know my daughter. And, for the record, Rai-Rai, not only did I know someone was here from the two bowls, I knew it was him. After we met him at the game, I told your mother that you two might end up married one day. Give it time.”
Lucas laughed in short, uneven bursts.
Raina scratched at her neck.
“Well, sit. Both of you.” Orylin Sr. gestured to the sofa. “Rai-Rai, let’s talk about your research, and Lucas, Delilah’s been telling me about your vision for the clinic. How can I help?”
An hour and sixty-four ounces of sweat later, they walked her father to the door. He told her that he wanted to learn more about the institute’s research and visit the clinic, and she knew he only suggested it to appease her concerns; they would both receive the funding they needed.
Yet, she appreciated it.
“Are you joining us for the holidays, Lucas? I remember Lilah telling us you’re Turkish? Do you celebrate?”
“My family and I started celebrating when we moved here,” Lucas explained. “Unofficially. Honestly, Turkish people will take any occasion to get together and eat good food.”
Orylin Sr. laughed. “Sounds like Black folk.”
“Daddy?” Raina called. Her brain wasn’t working correctly. There was no other way to explain why the words, “Lucas and I would like to host this year in Baltimore,” left her wicked mouth.
“Will there be a turkey, at least?” her father asked. “An actual turkey, not a Satan one.”
“That’sseitan,and there’ll be something for everyone,” she promised. “Lucas eats meat, and he’s an excellent cook.”
“All right, then. Sounds good. And make sure you two stop by the house before you head back. Nice seeing you again, Lucas.”
Lucas went for a handshake, but her father pulled him in for a hug. Then, he hugged her and planted a loud kiss on her cheek. Afterward, they watched him go, and once his car was out of sight, she turned to Lucas.
“My god, Saraci.”
“It’s culturally ingrained in me,” he argued. “When it comes to older folks, especially mywife’sparents, I’m hardwired to fall apart. It’s a respect thing. Holy shit. I wasn’t expecting to be formally introduced. I would’ve changed out of the shorts and T-shirt at least.”
“I realized I didn’t want to hide you,” she said. “I’m proud of my relationship with you.”
They headed inside.
“So I guess we’re hosting?” he asked. “Do you mind if I invite my family?”
She took his hands and walked backward to the bedroom, pulling him along. “Not at all, baby. Of course, I want your family there.”
“It might not be all of them, but I’ll see what I can do. We haven’t gotten together in a while. It’ll be nice.”
“It will. We’ll cook Turkish, southern African American, Senegalese, and Vegetarian dishes. If we get Miguel to help, we’ll add some Dominican flavor.” She raised his hand, kissed his palm. “But, for now, what do you want to do?”
He looked at his watch. “I don’t think we have time to make love.”
“Or have sex.”
“Guess we’ll just have to fuck.”
She sighed. “I guess.”
