Her problem was that they always treated her job like it wasn’t as important. They didn’t even ask if she had other things to do today. If they had professional development, they knew about it for at least the last month, but they decided to call Nahla the morning of the appointment and basically tell her how she would spend her day.
“Y’all couldn’t have informed me about this days ago? I have so much scheduled for work, and?—”
“I know, little sis, but come on. This is our father we’re talkin’ ’bout. You can’t take off a couple of hours for him?” her brother said.
Nahla squinted her eyes as her frown tightened. “Excuse me? We have a schedule for a reason, Jackson. I take off all the time—when it ismy turnto handle things with our father. I haven’tasked either of you to cover for me with Dad since he got sick, and if I everneededto ask, I definitely wouldn’t do it the same day I needed the damn favor. That is so inconsiderate. Can’tyoutake off a couple of hours for your father and cover for Nia? I know y’all don’t consider my work important, but I do and?—”
“That isn’t true, sissy. What you do is very important, and we are so proud of you. We just thought you might be able to swing it easier than us since you have a more flexible schedule.”
Nahla took a few deep breaths, trying to calm down. Her sister sounded sincere, and she knew Nia didn’t intend to offend her. It didn’t change the fact that her brother just pissed her off, though.
“Let me make a few calls to move some things around. I’ll callyouback, Nia,” Nahla said before hanging up.
Rubbing her temples, she checked the time.
Eight forty-two a.m.
She hopped up and headed to the restroom to wash her face and brush her teeth. Once she had that covered, she hopped in the shower. As she washed herself, Nahla thought about the conversation she was about to have with Cannon.
One of hisboundarieswas that she couldn’t travel to Lyle anymore. Yesterday had been a whirlwind, and she hadn’t thought to tell him about her father’s doctor’s appointments there. She knew he wasn’t going to like that she had to go back to Lyle so soon, but it wasn’t something she could help at this point. Once she was out of the shower, she wrapped a towel around herself and reentered the bedroom.
She checked her phone and noticed a text from her sister.
Sissy:
I promise I wasn’t trying to be inconsiderate, sissy. If you can’t swing it, I will let my principal know that I need a few hours away from the job. If you can make it, the appointment is at 3:45 PM. Love you.
Nahla sighed and stared at it for a moment before drying off, moisturizing, and dressing herself. Nia and Jackson had waited until the day of to ask for her help, so they could wait a few minutes for a response. She decided not to text her sister back until she talked to Cannon.
Grabbing her laptop and charger, Nahla left her room and headed toward the front of the large house.
The smell of brewing coffee made her mouth water instantly, and she followed the scent to the kitchen. She was surprised to see an island filled with grocery bags when she entered.
Capri was leaning over the island with a coffee mug in her hands.
“Good morning. Something smells amazing,” Nahla said, placing her laptop on the island.
Capri laughed. “Morning. Cannon told me you’re a coffee person. Dark roast, right?”
Nahla lifted her brows in surprise. He had only been around her a short time. When did he have time to learn the type of coffee she enjoyed? Or that she even liked coffee?
“Yeah, that’s my favorite,” Nahla said, moving to the coffee bar.
There was a row of cream-colored mugs hanging along the end of a cabinet, and on the counter beneath it was a coffee pot, a stack of paper coffee cups and lids, different kinds of coffee, sugar, and honey. Built into the space under the counter was a miniature refrigerator with a glass door. It was filled with avariety of coffee creamers. Nahla hadn’t noticed the area the day before but was in love with it.
“I’m a dark roast girly too. My days are too busy for the weak shit,” Capri said with a chuckle.
As Nahla fixed her coffee, she glanced at the island again.
“You’ve been awake long enough to go grocery shopping?”
“Yeah, girl. My brother doesn’t like getting things delivered here, so whenever he’s using the space, I like to stock it with groceries. I have a few appointments in the city, so I wanted to get this taken care of early.”
“You’re superwoman,” Nahla said, heading back to the island. She hopped on a barstool and enjoyed coffee and conversation with Capri for the next twenty minutes or so. Once they were done, Nahla insisted on putting away the groceries and washing their mugs.
“You’ve done enough this morning, and you already said you have a busy day ahead of you. I’ve got this. I promise.”
Capri smiled. “Thanks.”
