“Yeah, it is your damn bad. Capri told me you’re protecting the young girl who’s been writing them good old stories in the paper. Miss Nahla Avery.”
Cannon chuckled and glanced at Nahla. He noticed that she was trying to hide a smile as she headed for the door. Just as she was passing him, Cannon lightly grabbed her arm and pulled her toward him. It probably wasn’t professional or appropriate, but he wasn’t ready for her to disappear yet. She had spent the lasthour or so chopping it up with his sister, and Cannon was feeling low-key jealous. He wanted some of her time too.
She gave him a questioning frown but made no effort to remove his hold on her. They just stared into each other’s eyes silently.
“Yeah, I am,” he finally replied to his grandma.
“You make sure nothin’ happens to that girl, hear? I read her story about them folks in Lyle, and it broke my heart. I know them racist police prolly got it out for her, so you keep her close, now.”
Cannon chuckled, while Nahla’s face heated, and her smile widened. “I plan to, Mama.”
“You care about her, huh, son?”
Both Nahla and Cannon froze.
“I’m doin’ a job. Plus, I just met her, Mama,” was all he could think to say. He was now regretting putting her on speaker phone.
With a scoff, his grandmother said, “Your sister said the job was just for one day, but now you’re on day four. You ain’t gotta convince me, child. I know you better than anybody.”
Knowing better than to debate with his grandmother, he just said, “I hear you, Mama.”
“And call me tomorrow so I can talk to her. I wanna tell her that she done did a good job wakin’ the paper up. I read her stories every week.”
“She’s right here. She can hear you.”
“Oh! Well, hey, baby! I’m sorry that there are some fools out there causing you to need protection, but I’m glad it’s my grandson doin’ the protecting. Nobody does it better than him.”
“Thank you so much. It warms my heart to hear that you enjoy my stories. I’m also very grateful to have your grandson keeping me safe.”
“Did he feed you?” Mama Porter asked. Nahla and Cannon’s eyes met, and she had to cover her mouth to stifle her laugh. That was precisely the question Cannon said she would ask.
“Yes, ma’am, he has.”
Kissing her teeth, Cannon’s grandmother said, “Oh, child, please call me Mama Porter. You’re family now.”
“Thank you, Mama Porter. I appreciate that so much.”
“Of course, suga. Well, I’m gonna get outta y’all’s hair. I just had to fuss at my grandson for a minute. Now, Nahla, don’t let that boy boss you around too much. That’s all he tries to do with me.”
Nahla laughed aloud that time. “I’ll do my best.”
Cannon smirked. “You’ll fail.”
Shaking her head, Nahla replied, “I don’t doubt it.”
“You be nice, Cane. I’ll talk to y’all tomorrow. Love ya.”
“Love you more, Mama.”
Once he hung up, the two gazed at each other more. He had not yet released her, and she had not yet said anything about it. To be honest, Cannon was loving every second of being this close to her, so if she didn’t want to put distance between them, he wouldn’t be either.
Breaking the silence, Nahla said, “I love your family.”
“They clearly love you too.”
Tugging at her bottom lip with her teeth, Nahla looked away. It took several seconds for her to meet Cannon’s eyes again, but when she did, she asked a question that caught him off guard.
“What about you?”
