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“Daddy, we’ve both been busy,” she was saying anything at this point.
“Of course.”
The way he said it made me want to laugh, but I held it together. He turned his attention back to me.
“MJ is for Malik, correct?”
“Yes, sir. My last name is Browne. I’m a junior, so everybody calls me MJ.”
“MJ it is, then. I’m Mr. Hayes.”
I smirked to myself because his ass was keeping things very formal. I knew that’s where Penn must have gotten it from. Before I broke down her walls, she was indeed the same girl I thought wasn’t even interested in a nigga.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Hayes,” I replied.
He smiled.
“Likewise, son.”
He studied me for a moment, not in a disrespectful way, but like he was taking everything in. I already knew Penelope was his only child, and after hearing about what happened to her when she was little, I wasn’t surprised that he wanted to know who she was spending her time with.
“Browne,” he repeated. “Your father wouldn’t happen to be Malik Browne, would he?”
“Yes, sir.”
The question itself was silly, but he was just a man being a dad.
“I thought so. I’m familiar with the name. MB’s Auto, correct?”
“Yes, sir. That’s my pops.”
He nodded.
“I’ve heard good things about his business. Never had the pleasure of meeting him, though.”
“He’s a good man.”
“I’m sure he is. How’s he doing? I understand he was injured recently.”
“He’s doing better, sir. Still got some recovering to do, but he’s making progress.”
“I’m glad to hear that. Please give him my regards.”
“I will.”
Penelope looked between us.
“Okay, can we go eat now? I’m starving.”
Mr. Hayes chuckled.
“Now you’re in a hurry? Interesting, considering I was the one standing outside your apartment knocking on the door.”
“Daddy!”
I lowered my head while smiling. He laughed and gestured toward the truck.
“I’m assuming that you will be joining us, MJ?”
