Page 61 of Terms of the Flight

“What were you waiting for, child? It doesn’t take that long to knock on a door, Leya,” my mother chastised.

Myheir greeted my mother first and handed over the red roses. Then he turned to give my father a handshake.

“It’s nice to meet you both. I brought a bottle of wine, I wasn’t sure what you would prefer, so I went with a Moscato. It was the safest option,” he said.

My dad shook his hand but still hadn’t said much. My mother was still blushing over her roses he’d given her.

“Thank you so much for the flowers. Please come in out of the cold,” she said, waving us inside.

My dad stepped to the side, then asked Myheir if he drank whiskey, in which he nodded. My father urged him to follow him. That move alone had me nervous as all hell. I was real closeto following them, but my mom grabbed my arm to bring me towards the kitchen.

“Where is your macaroni salad?” she asked.

The doorbell rang, letting me know Da’ana had made it.

“Da’ana has it. Which she might need help, so let me go get the door.”

I turned and left the kitchen without waiting on her response. I walked back to the front door and pulled it open for Da’ana. She had a bag around her wrist from one of our favorite bakeries. So I was certain she’d made a stop so she didn’t come empty-handed, although we lived together, she still liked to bring something too.

I took the macaroni salad from her, and she followed me into the kitchen after closing the front door behind her. The moment she stepped into the kitchen, she hugged my mom, then handed her the pastries she bought.

“Myheir bought those?” she asked, whispering while pointing at the bouquets on the counter.

“That he did. The man is resourceful.”

“I’m sure. After I saw you were practically ready to give that man everything you had.”

I rolled my eyes and smirked.

“What was that, Da’ana?” my mom asked. She was nosy as hell.

“I said I practically got everything Sweet Treats had,” she responded.

My mother gave her that look that said she knew she was lying but wouldn’t push it. Just then, Meli came into the kitchen texting and holding a bouquet of roses.

“Girl, why didn’t you tell me we’re entertaining a millionaire tonight?” Meli asked, gesturing down to the expensive-ass red roses.

I shrugged. I figured it would be best not to correct her, because I was sure he had even more than that in his account.

“I don’t know that man’s finances, Meli.”

Meli hopped up on the kitchen counter, and my mom immediately began shooing her off.

“Girl, get your ass off my counter, and how do you know that man has money?” my mom asked.

I held my hand up to stop them as Meli showed her the brand on the flowers.

“Wait, let me stop y’all. Don’t do that. I don’t want him uncomfortable. I told him that this would be a chill and fun time. A normal family dinner.”

Meli’s brow rose. “Why would you do that? Ain’t nothing normal about anybody in here. Your knothead brother is in that room with Daddy, acting like the Will Smith to his Martin fromBad Boys.”

My eyes expanded. “You lying.”

Meli leaned forward and lifted a brow. “If I’m lying, I’m flying. Go get yo’ man before you don’t have one.”

I walked in the direction I knew my dad’s man cave was in when the men came in, chuckling like someone had told them the funniest thing. Myheir didn’t look bothered, not one bit. His hands were tucked into his khakis, laughing right along with them, like he’d known them forever.

My father walked over to my mom and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her into his chest.