Page 69 of Risks

“Me, too.” He swallows what’s in hismouth. “They’re coming in summer. So you won’t have to go to Washington. Saidthey’re long overdue for a road trip, anyway.”

“Nice. I’m excited.” I pause for asecond. “Um, I’m going to Scotland with Varen this summer. Maybe for a week ortwo. I’ll be here for the rest of the break, though.”

“Oh.” His brows go up. “That’s cool.First trip?”

“No, it’s my second. Daniel’sparents live in Scotland. That’s where he’s from. He and Mom got married there.”

“Seems your stepdad has money.” Hedips his head to the plate, a sad expression on his face. “I’m glad he looksout for you.” Maybe he’s feeling somewhat jealous that Mom let another man dowhat he would have.

“Daniel’s great,” I mutter, thenchange the subject. “Thanks again for the birthday gift.”

His smile reappears. “Yeah, ofcourse. I’ll never miss another one.”

We resume eating, sharing about ourlives in between.

Jesiah is a good man. The more wetalk, the more I realize he would have been great to have in my life whilegrowing up.

Following dinner, we hang out in theliving room, looking at awards, certificates, and photos of Jesiah and mygrandparents.

“I still can’t believe I have a daughterin college,” he says when we finish, shaking his head in wonder.

“Um, how did your girlfriend takethe news?”

He sputters a short laugh. “Shanicewas as stunned as I was. But we talked about it, and she’s supportive. Shewants to know you too. If you’d like, of course.”

“Are you serious about her?” I asksoftly. “I mean, are you going to marry her?”

There’s not a hint of hesitation inhis gaze. “I wouldn’t want you to meet her if I wasn’t. I’ll let you in on asecret. I’m proposing on our third anniversary next month.”

“Oh, nice.”

“Yeah.” He seems to love this womana lot. “I’m nervous and excited thinking about it.” I’m not sure if it’sbecause he’s my father, but my heart feels at peace to see him so happy.

“Well, early congratulations to youboth.”

“Thanks, Toya.” His smile doesn’tsettle. “Thanks again for agreeing to this. For being open to getting to knowme. For letting me into your life.”

“Back at you.”

“How about meeting around noon tomorrow?We’ll grab lunch, and I’ll take you to my old neighborhood, show you where Ilived and spots I hung out.”

I crumple my brows. “That soundsgood but don’t you have work?”

“Nope,” he tells me, turning hishead from side to side. “Took a few days off.”

“Oh, you didn’t have to do that forme.”

“I wanted to. Besides, I never taketime off from work. I could use a pause.”

“Okay.”

A loud buzzing resounds from my bagnext to me. I rifle inside for my phone. “It’s probably Varen. He said he’dpick me up, and it’s getting…” My voice trails when I see Mom’s missed call.

“I’ll drive you home,” Jesiahoffers. “We’ll talk more on the way.”

I clear my throat and tell him, “Okay.”

We straighten from the couch andhead for the front door. Jesiah locks it when we step outside.

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