Strolling arm in arm with Mekhi through the supermarket feels like a scene from one of my romance novels. We decide to make chicken, macaroni and cheese, broccoli, cornbread, garden salad, and brownies and ice cream for dessert. We select our ingredients carefully while chatting about our day before going to check out. While waiting in line, I grill Mekhi about his mother, her likes, dislikes, and favorite things. He answers all of my questions patiently and with a reassuring smile. He pays for our groceries reminding me that we are going to his house and that I'll be buying groceries for my own home soon enough. After we place the bags in the car we finally head to his house.
"Do you have any more questions love," Mekhi asks as we drive to his house.
"So what do you think I should get your mother for a gift," I ask him.
"Whatever you want. She will be fine with whatever you get her," he says and I roll my eyes to the heavens.
"I'll just figure it out when we're out tomorrow," I say to him.
"That's fine baby. You don't need to overthink it," he says with a chuckle.
"That's easy for you to say, you already met my parents," I say with a huff.
"Why are you so nervous? The worst that can happen is that she not like you, not that I think that will be the case, but even if it is…it does not matter to me whether she likes you or not. It's really a matter of whether I like you," he says placing a hand on my knee giving it a squeeze.
"I don't know, honestly the last time I went to meet someone's parents was so long ago that I barely remember it. I guess I'm afraid of being rejected," I say honestly.
"I don't know how to comfort you other than telling you that everything is going to be okay regardless of the outcome of tomorrow's meeting," he says placating me.
"Okay, I'm counting on you to look after me then," I say with a smile attempting to keep my nerves at bay.
"I'll always do that to the best of my abilities," he says with a smile relaxing.
"Glad to hear it," I say and we continue the drive to his house chatting happily.
When we get to his building we overload ourselves with bags from groceries and school as well as my overnight bag. Together we get the groceries put away, then we head upstairs to get my bag stowed away. After fussing for a few minutes my belongings are spread around his room in various ways looking as if I live here. We then head back to the kitchen to wash our hands and prepare dinner.
"How do you want to cook the chicken? Baked, fried, sautéed, grilled," I ask him as I put a pot of water on for macaroni.
"Let's have it fried," he says taking out a variety of seasonings, flour, and bowls.
"Okay," I say heaving the cast iron skillet to the burner I want to use and pouring a satisfactory amount of oil into it before turning the burner on.
"I'll make the salad," he offers.
"Yes, you're perfect for the job," I say biting my lip to stifle my laugh.
"It's within my capabilities of course," he says sarcastically with a shrug.
"Sure, I'll prep the chicken while you are doing that," I say and begin seasoning the chicken that he had sitting in a buttermilk bath.
"Yes ma'am," he says and we begin doing our separate tasks.
"Okay, I have the first batch in," I say proudly washing my hands.
"I'm finished with the salad. I'll start the macaroni," he says putting the salad into the refrigerator.
"I'll start the brownies then," I say preheating the oven and gathering the ingredients for the brownies.
"Yes love," he says pouring a little salt and oil into the macaroni water.
"When did you learn to cook," I ask him while mixing everything together.
"It was around the time I went to live with my aunt. In my mind in order to be an independent person one had to be capable of doing everything for himself. So I watched and learned from her how to cook and properly clean a house. When I go home there are people who cook and clean and move at my every whim. There's always someone doing something for me you know," he says looking at me as he stirs the noodles.
"Yeah, I can understand," I say pondering his words.
"And now, knowing how to cook allows me to be able to do this with you and we're able to bond over it. Even if you didn't know how to cook I know my way around the kitchen well enough that we won't starve together," he says with a chuckle.
"That's true. It's a skill everyone should have, eating out all the time isn't healthy," I say chuckling with him.
"Besides I'm a pretty good cook, if I do say so myself," he says wiggling his eyebrows causing me to laugh harder.
"Of course, my man is very capable. Watching you move around the kitchen makes you so much more attractive," I say biting my lip stifling my giggles.
"In that case, I'm cooking for you at every chance I get," he says grinning like a fool.
We continue cooking in sync with one another moving around his kitchen until everything is finished. We then make our plates, bless our food, and begin eating. At first we're silent because we're enjoying the first few bites of our dinner. Then end up laughing at how silent we are while eating before going over tomorrow's plans.
"How early are we leaving in the morning," I ask him casually.
"I want to be out of here at no later than 6:30, so we can get ahead of any possible traffic. It's only about two hours away but parking can be crazy and I have to meet my security guards before we begin shopping," he answers.
"Security guards," I question.
"Yeah, I have to protect myself when I'm out in a very public place like that. They're not far away from me…even now," he says.
"Oh," I say and look around the kitchen.
"They're not in here love. They do reside in this building and follow me to school and any of my sporting events. I'm sorry, I thought I told you about them before," he says touching my stunned face.
"Nope, you forgot to disclose that bit of information to me," I say leaning into his touch.
"I'm sorry for that. You'll meet them soon enough, it's all part of being brought into my world. You know after tomorrow there's no going back," he says with a smile.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Let's clean up," I say to him sarcastically shaking my head.
"Alright," he says and we begin putting the food away and washing the dishes.
When we are finally finished cleaning we lean against the island. Looking at the time it's only a little after nine.
"What do you want to do tonight," I ask him leaning my head on his shoulder.
"We can always pick up where we left off last night," he says with that panty busting smile.
"Whatttt," I say as my jaw drops from his straight forwardness.
"Don't worry we can take it slow," he says with a velvet voice.
"Hmm," I say as my mind starts to go haywire.
"I'll take that as a yes," he says and takes my hand leading me through the house to his room.
Making it to his room, he pulls me close to him and begin kissing me. Turned on by his seductive assertiveness I give in and return his advances. Just as things are getting started, his phone rings and groans in frustration. Interrupted again!
"It's okay just answer it," I say trying hard to hold back my laughter.
"Don't laugh," he says with a small smile as he releases me.
"I won't," I say then cover my mouth as he answers the phone.
"Hello…party tonight…well I had plans…no it's alright…I'll come by for a little bit…same place…alright cool. See you in a little while," he says hanging up the phone and looking at me.
"What," I ask as I see him contemplating something.
"There's a party tonight and I agreed to stop by…do you mind coming with me? If not you can stay here and I'll come back really quick," he says.
"A party…sure! Can I invite my girls? They were upset that they didn't get an invite last time," I ask him.
"Sure, sure. They are more than welcome to come," he says.
"Okay, I'm going to shoot them a text," I say taking my phone from my pocket.
"Alright baby, I'm going to take a shower," he says kissing my forehead then walking while getting undressed to the bathroom.
"Okay," I say as I begin texting the girls.
Mekhi and I take our time showering and getting dressed. I decide to wear my silk pants, wrap crop top, and sandals. I fix my hair into a sleek bun and put on light make up and bold lipstick. When I step out of the bathroom, Mekhi can hardly keep his hands off of me.
"Baby you look really good," he says appreciatively.
"Thank you Kai," I say sweetly.
"Let's go," he says grabbing my hand.
"Okay," I agree and we leave his house and head to the party.