“I don’t.”
“Well, don’t you think you should-”
He paused and we both looking at the entryway at the sound of Novi’s feet smacking against the floor. She entered the area wiping at one of her eyes and yawning. Her eyes bulged and she took a step back.
“Nah.” I smiled. “Come here.” I held out toward her. She blinked at me. She looked from me to my dad and back. “Come here,” I repeated.
She plastered a small smile on her face and slowly walked over to me. I grabbed her hand when she was close enough, pulled her into my side and kissed the top of her head.
“This is my pops, Charles. Dad, this is November.”
“Novemeber, huh?” His eyes searched mine. I smiled. “Nice to meet you, November.” He offered her a hand.
“It’s nice to meet you too.” She shook his hand. “You can uhm, call me Novi if you want,” she added as an afterthought.
“Novi,” he repeated and nodded. “Got it.”
She mirrored him and nodded as well. I offered her my coffee mug. She took a little sip, made a face and set it on the counter.
“I’ll get you some sugar and cream,” I offered. “Pops, you want some coffee too?”
“Nah. I’m good. I’m actually going to go and let you enjoy the rest of your off day.”
“You sure?”
“I’m sure, but just know we aren’t done talking about this.”
“I figured we weren’t.”
He gave me a small smile then closed the space between us. My dad gave me a quick hug and hit me on the back.
“I love you. Be careful.”
“I love you too.”
“Nice meeting you, Novi.”
“Nice meeting you too, sir.”
My dad exhaled. “I let myself in. I can let myself out. Have a good one.”
“Will do.”
I watched him as he made his way to the door and listened carefully until I heard the click of him locking my door back.
I didn’t bring him up to Novi. I just spun around and started to add cream and sugar to her coffee. She accepted it when I offered it to her. I watched her take a slow sip. She nodded.
“It’s good.”
“Good.” I smiled.
“Your dad seems nice,” she said after a beat.
“Yeah. He’s good people.”
“I’m sorry if you felt pressured to introduce us. I didn’t know he was here when I wandered out.”
“You’re good. I’m glad you guys met.”
