Page 12 of Terms of the Flight

“If you say so, Ms. author girl.”

Da’ana giggled, then cleared the coffee table to make room for the plates I brought over. Once I set them down, she started putting our tacos on each plate while I popped the cork on our wine and poured us a full glass.

I plopped down onto the pillows below us, and she sat beside me, then lifted her glass of wine to sip before urging me to tell her everything. I went over the offer of the loan and then the second offer from Mr. Blackwell. Da’ana sat intently, waiting until I was finished. I could tell she had a million and one questions.

“Okay, go. What do you think? It’s crazy, right?” I asked.

Da’ana took a bite of her taco, then shrugged her shoulders.

“His offer is definitely one to think about. It gives romance to me. How do you know this man couldn’t possibly be your husband?”

I rolled my eyes because this was her usual MO. Sis always thought the world was roses and hearts. That everything happened for a reason. I didn’t feel that way, not one bit.

“Maybe because I don’t think my husband would be looking for a fake girlfriend. He would have been asking me to dinner like a normal human being. Don’t you think?” I asked.

Da’ana laughed. “Girl, please. You would be bored with a man like that. This right here is more up your alley.”

I laughed and nudged her shoulder.

“I really need help. Doesn’t this offer seem too good to be true to you?”

She shrugged. “Do you have a better offer than this one to get Stamped by Khaleya off the ground? If you do, I’m all ears.”

I released a sigh and leaned back against the cushions of the couch.

“I don’t want to feel like a charity case.”

“You aren’t—he is. This man has big money, yet he wants to pay you to be his date. Looks to me that you have the upper hand, so play your cards right. It sounds like easy money to me. Does he give creep vibes?” she responded.

I took a sip of my wine. “No, but I’m overly attracted to the damn man. I’m going to be more of a problem than he is.”

My phone vibrated against the coffee table just as she was about to reply.

I grabbed it, and a few texts from my family group chat popped up.

Mom: Honey, I see your little video date thingy. I pray every day that my daughter won’t be frolicking around dating for the rest of her life.

I rolled my eyes as I continued to read.

Meli Mel: Now, Mom, my sister does not frolic. She is proactive and all my friends love her content. I’m all for it, sis! Do you.

Kavon: Aye Ma, you cook?

I rolled my eyes. All my brother cared about was eating and going to the gym.

Mom: Kavon, I told you I cooked. I already put your plate in the microwave.

Dad: What my daughter needs to worry about is holding on to that job with those benefits. Men will always be there looking for the wrong shit. No need to waste your time, baby girl. And Kavon, you need to be eating at your own damn house.

They continued to go back and forth about my life like they had the answers to everything. I turned my phone to show Da’ana, who couldn’t hold back her laughter over their nonsense.

“They have such good intent, but your mom and dad crack me up. I didn’t know she was following you on social media.”

“Girl, I thought I blocked her ass. But clearly I didn’t—now she’s giving me more life advice that I don’t need.”

“Well, you could shut all of this down with a simple text to a certain someone.”

I tilted my head to the side and gave her an exasperated sigh.