“Uh, Demetrius? This is Zahir Parnal. I’m here with Andre. He’s staying with me in Mission City. Sort of a long story.” I tried to get Andre’s attention—to have him focus on me—but he just stared at the phone.
“Zahir? Is Andre okay?” Worry tinged Demetrius’s voice.
“Nervous, I think. So, how are you doing?”
A quick laugh. “Uh…surprised. I didn’t know Andre was coming to Mission City.”
“Yes, he’s said as much. I met him on the airplane. One of those weird coincidences, you know?”
“Yeah, I know those.” He paused. “Andre? Are you still there?”
Andre nodded—but didn’t speak.
“He is, Demetrius. He’s nodding.”
“Okay. Are you up to meeting me in person? I’m a teddy bear, I promise.” He sounded so damn earnest. And completely the man I’d come to know.
Andre nodded.
“That’s an affirmative.” Because one of us had to say something.
“Do you want to come to my place? Jai and Keegan are at camp, and Alaina’s hanging out with Foster and Arnav. With their kids as well.”
Arnav and Foster were foster parents to two young children. Alaina and Keegan often went over to help out. Both children were incredibly empathetic—Demetrius had done a great job raising them after their mother died.
“Or I could come down there.” Demetrius continued. “Except I don’t want to intrude. Perhaps somewhere neutral? Tonight or tomorrow?”
A knock came at my door—startling both Andre and myself. “Damn, that’s Quinton with Daphne.”
Demetrius chuckled. “Get that—neither will be patient.”
“Right.”
“Call me back. Or text if that’s easier.”
“Got it.”
To my surprise, Andre met my gaze. “We’ll call back.”
“I look forward to it.”
If there was a catch in Demetrius’s voice, I couldn’t be certain.
Andre disconnected the call, and I headed to the door. I opened it and my girl barreled in and tried to climb up my leg. I scooped her into my arms. “I missed you too, baby.”
She licked my face thoroughly, even as her little body wriggled.
Quinton laughed. “You’d think she’d been deprived of affection and love. Quite the opposite was true.”
“I can’t thank you enough. Do you have a moment?”
“Sure. I’m not due at the hospital for another hour. Let me grab her things from the car.” He hotfooted it back to the car.
My little one always had lots ofstuff. Two beds, her own bowls, toys, and an old shirt of mine that smelled like me. She was certainly pampered.
“She’s cute.”
I spun to find Andre just a step behind me.
