“Shit.” My hands on my hips, I gaped around the messed kitchen.
“Five dollars, daddy.” Neha was still giggling.
“That was so worth it, baby.” I winked at Neha, then smiled watching Ashrika dust the flour off Nicky’s head.
“Did a bomb go off in here?”
We all turned. My grandmother stood at the door.Oh, fuck!I panicked. She didn’t know about Ashrika yet.
“Nana!” Both kids flew across the room, straight into her arms, not caring that they were messed.
“What are you doing here, grandma?”
She had a key to the house, so she could come and go as she pleased. Problem, this wasn’t the ideal time. I was trying to think of the best way to distract her when her eyes fell on Ashrika. I saw the recognition in my grandmother’s eyes, my insides churned and my mind spun.
Fuck.
“And you must be the lovely Ashrika.” Gran neared Ash and palmed her cheek. “You’re just as beautiful as Drake mentioned. Welcome to the family, my dear, hopefully, you’ll stay for a long time to come.”
I was still trying to digest what had happened and caught my gran’s teary gaze as she turned, her knowing expression all the comfort I needed that my secret was safe. Behind her, Ash blushed, giving me a ‘why didn’t I tell her’ look. I offered her a comforting smile.
“To answer your question, young man, I came to take my great-grand kids home. It’s the week of the Disney fair in Granger Valley. Sianna was supposed to fetch them tomorrow but I had an errand in the city for your grandfather. I told her I’d fetch them. If that’s okay with you?” Her raised brow told me I shouldn’t bother arguing.
“Yes,” the twins responded before I could.
“Then it’s settled. Go get cleaned up kids,” Gran shooed them toward the door.
Nicky did a one-eighty turn around her and ran up to Ashrika. “Will you help me, mommy?”
“Sure.” She took his hand as he led her away.
The minute Ashrika disappeared around the door, gran let out a slow exhale. “I really can’t believe this is happening, Trent. How? When Drake told me, I was shocked. Now seeing her for myself... God, I don’t know how to describe what I feel right now.”
“I know, it takes some getting used to.”
“And Nicky’s calling her mommy?”
I nodded. “Long story, grandma, and not the best time to explain.”
“Do you plan to tell her the truth?”
I shoved both hands through my hair. “I have no idea if I should or shouldn’t.” I still hadn’t decided on a plan of action.
“Well, the kids won’t be here, so make the most of that time and tell her,” she said, her tone matter-of-fact. I clear warning to the right thing.
Twenty minutes later, I watched the taillights of Gran’s town car recede before I closed the door, my mind in a whirl. I walked into the kitchen to find Ashrika tidying up. Silently, I helped her and when we were done, she turned to me. “I can make something quick for dinner.” She smiled. “But I need a shower first. I smell like a deli.”
“Shower yes, dinner no, we can order take-out. What’s your preference?”
She licked her lips. “You.”
I laughed. “That was a given.”
She rolled her eyes. “Always cocky, aren’t you?”
“Would you have me any other way?”
“No. But I am going to have you my way, Mr. Shaw.”
