Page 11 of Fallynn West

“The feeling is mutual, Key.” Alivia picked up the plate and headed toward her office. “I’m about to go start on some paperwork. Come get me if you need me.”

“I got you.”

Alivia walked away, leaving me there to process my next move.

Old-school R&B filled the air around me as I worked my way around the kitchen. I loved the slow mornings where I had nothing but time to get things in order without feeling rushed or bothered. As I was cutting up some fruit, Colony entered my mind.

Ever since the first time I’d met her, I couldn’t seem to shake her. She would randomly pop up in my head, and I’d have to shake her off. It honestly pissed me off that I was intrigued by her. Her words about getting legal services involved didn’t sit well with me. While I understood she was simply doing her job, I didn’t play when it came to Kehlani. I’d go to hell and back before anyone thought they’d take her from me.

“What are you doing in here, Key? I know you ain’t got me hooked up for the day,” Q expressed as he swaggered into the kitchen.

We bumped elbows before he went to the sink to wash his hands and put a hairnet on.

I continued with the prep and replied, “You already know I do. I’m finishing up some salad bar prep for your shift, then I’ll get started on some for Alec’s shift.”

“I don’t think I tell you enough how much I appreciate you. I’ve worked for several people, but none of them have been like you.”

“I gotta show y’all love and help, man. My restaurant wouldn’t be what it is or where it is without y’all. I feel what you’re saying too. You know I’ve been in the same predicament as most of y’all. I would be crazy to do y’all anyway but good.”

Q had been working with me since my restaurant opened three years ago. He was loyal and gifted. Like me, he grew up cooking with the women in his family and turned it into passion. His following on social media was decent, which was one of hisdownfalls at his old job. The owner and manager were envious of him. They didn’t treat him well for what he was worth. I was more than grateful to do so.

We chopped it up while the rest of the crew started to trickle in. Time flew by, and before I knew it, I was done in the kitchen for the day. After checking on everyone else, I went out to talk to some of our regular customers and introduced myself to some new faces. When it came to Daily Fix, I was extremely hands on. I loved knowing everything about my restaurant, especially with my staff and customers. It was one of those things my grandmother instilled in me.

Once I was sure I was done with everything, I left to go home to shower and get ready to pick Kehlani up early. I picked her up some purple flowers on the way to the center, excited to get our weekend started. My mother had helped me come up with an itinerary to keep Kehlani occupied all weekend. We would do all her favorite things while incorporating some of mine as well. I needed the weekend just as badly as she did.

I arrived at the center around three o’clock and immediately felt anxious. The twisting in my stomach almost pissed me off. It’d been too long since I’d felt like that, and I knew it had everything to do with the possibility of seeing Colony. Every day that I’d picked Kehlani up, Colony was the one to do the handoff. It was as if she made it a point to do so, and I wasn’t sure what the reason was.

The front desk buzzed me in, and I headed to the back where Kehlani’s room was. I peeked my head inside, but I didn’t see her. Slowly, my chest began to tighten as I thought the worst.

Where the fuck is my daughter?

Kehlani’s teacher, Mrs. Lizzie, noticed me and waved before getting up to greet me. “Hey, Mr. Daily. You’re here early today.”

“I wanted to surprise Kehlani.” My eyes scanned the classroom one more time. “Where is she?”

“Oh, she’s having a treat with Ms. Miles. Do you know where her office is?”

I shook my head and listened to Mrs. Lizzie give me instructions. Thanking her, I made my way to Colony’s office. The closer I got to her door, I could hear Kehlani giggling and talking a mile a minute. Curiosity got the best of me, so I stood by the door and eavesdropped on their conversation for a moment.

“You are so silly, Kehlani.” Colony laughed, and I could hear the smile in her voice.

“My daddy tells me that all the time. He’s silly too.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes, ma’am. He makes me laugh a lot. I love my daddy, but I miss him too.”

The way Kehlani’s voice cracked almost made me choke up. I wondered what she meant by that, so I was grateful when Colony asked.

“Why do you miss him?”

“Because he works so much, and he says he’s tired every day. I love my auntie and MiMi, but I love my daddy more.” There was a brief silence before Kehlani inquired, “Is that mean?”

“It’s not mean at all, Kehlani. It’s honest and sweet.”

There was a little shuffling, so I peeked around the door to see that Colony had sat in the seat next to Kehlani, gently rubbing her back. The gesture was sweet and warming. It was obvious she cared about my daughter, and from the way Kehlani talked about her, she loved her too.

“Thank you,” Kehlani spoke before shoving a bite of a snow cone into her mouth. “My daddy always told me to be honest, so I try my best.”