Dropping to my knees, I kissed her. “You deserve it.”
She traced my jawline with her finger. “You’re amazing, Cooper. I’m so grateful for the work you’ve done. Aunt Lou would’ve been ecstatic.”
“I didn’t bring her things back because I wasn’t sure what stuff you were going to keep. But I’ve already reserved the movers when you’re ready.”
“I ordered new furniture for most of the rooms already. I had planned to take Mehki shopping for his bedroom set, but you saved me a trip to the store.”
“I wanted to do something nice for you both.”
My phone buzzed. I pulled it out of my pocket and glanced at the screen. It was Preston. Standing, I answered, “What’s up?”
I left the bathroom as Preston gave me an update on a new bid we’d put in with the City of Detroit. “Good news,” I said. “I should be able to come back in a week or two.”
“If you can’t be here, we have everything handled,” Preston told me.
“Nah, I want to be there for the initial planning meetings,” I insisted. “This is huge for us.”
“Are you at the Fox house?” he asked.
“I am. Just showed Angel around.”
Preston had flown down last week to help me put the final touches on everything. While he was here, we had a few beers and a deep conversation. I told him about Angel and Mehki, and my desire to have a more permanent place in their life.
“Did she love it?” he asked.
“Why don’t you ask her yourself?” I touched the camera button and his face appeared on the screen. Walking back into the bathroom, I told Angel, “Someone has a question for you.” I handed her the phone.
“Hi Preston,” she said.
Angel and Mehki had met Preston a few months ago when he presented his design to her in person. As with everyone in my life, including my parents, my brothers, Dallas, and Ryleigh, she’d endeared herself to him rather quickly.
“Well?” Preston asked.
Smiling widely, she said, “I love it. I’m sitting in the tub now, envisioning the near future when Mehki and I can settle in.”
“I’m glad. Next time I come down there, I expect you to make me some of those pancakes Coop is always raving about.”
I shrugged when she glanced over at me. “I can’t help it,” I said. “You know I love them.”
She giggled. “Okay, Preston. I got you.”
They talked for a few minutes about the house and when they were done, I told Preston I’d call him later and ended the call.
Reaching out to me, she said, “Help me up?” I grabbed her hands and pulled her to stand. She stepped out of the tub, smoothed her hands over her pants, and walked out into the bedroom. “I think I feel a little slighted. You bought Mehki a full bed, complete with comforter and sheets and this is all I got?”
Chuckling, I said, “I figured you would want a less cartoonish bed set.”
I went to kiss her again, but she ducked, spinning away from me and leaving the room. I followed her down the stairs into the living room. “Angel, what’s going on?”
It took a while for her to answer me, but she finally turned to face me. “I’ve been thinking.”
“About?”
“I heard you with Mehki the last time we were here.”
I thought back to the conversation I’d had with Lil Man. “Okay?”
“He really loves you.”
