Page 52 of Nothing Like Your Ex

CHAPTER 14

Months Later

“Where did y’all say we were going again?” Kwinn asked her parents as she rode with them.

Rarely did she willingly take a Saturday off and do absolutely no work but she’d learned over the months to just rest. It was okay to do so and not have to be on call for every little thing. So when her daddy called to invite her to spend the day with them, Kwinn happily agreed. She loved her parents, and it was always a good time when they hung out.

“You done forgot already?” Vic teased, glimpsing at her through the rearview.

Kwinn chuckled. “Um, I don’t think you told me.”

“That’s ‘cause you and your mama started talking and paid me no mind,” Vic said.

Smiling, Toya shook her head. “He be acting like can’t nobody have my attention, chile.”

“They can’t.”

Her daddy’s declaration made Kwinn giggle. There’d be a cold day in hell before Vic ever played about his wife, and Kwinn loved to see it.

“We’re going to this new brunch spot I mentioned to him last week. He invited you and Lauryn, but her, Bishop, and the baby already had plans,” Toya explained.

She was talking as if BJ physically made the plans, but he might as well have. With him already walking, he was running his household one new adventure at a time.

“Okay. Brunch sounds good. Feeding us before you take us shopping is probably for the best.” Kwinn snickered.

“You see how she’s already making plans to run my pockets?” Vic chuckled.

“She ain’t the only one, honey. We’ll be sure to grab you a shirt or something,” Toya offered.

Snickers filled the car as they continued going back and forth. Her daddy taking her mama to brunch simply because she mentioned it was right up Vic’s alley. He’d been the spoil-his-woman type since day one, his daughters included. Vic didn’t need a reason to do something nice for them, and he damn sure didn’t need a special occasion. Vacations, shopping, dinners, random gifts, and pouring love into them were things he enjoyed.

Kwinn grew up watching her parents lovingly give to each other, and they enjoyed giving to their daughters just as much. So, Melo spoiling her was a bonus. Kwinn was used to being taken care of, but he’d taken the shit to another level. It was something special about having a man who enjoyed doing just as much for her as her daddy did. The bar was set high, but Melo was an expert vaulter, meeting her expectations and then some every time.

The thought of him brought a small smile to her lips, and she looked out the window as the city passed by. Had she not been with her parents for the day, she would’ve tagged along with him to the studio. For someone who had already accomplished so much, Kwinn was inspired daily by Melo’s hustle and dedication. He hadn’t let the accolades in his name stop his motion, and he was having plenty even after over a decade in the game.

Minutes later, Vic pulled into an empty parking lot that looked nothing like a restaurant. Dipping her head, Kwinn searched for a sign, wondering if her daddy had accidentally entered the incorrect address.

“Daddy, you sure this is the place? It’s empty,” Kwinn said.

“Yeah, it should be. Let’s go in here and see.”

Frowning, Kwinn looked at her mama, who shrugged and smiled.

“Maybe everyone parked somewhere else,” Toya said.

Kwinn looked between them and squinted before shaking her head. “Y’all are being sneaky about something.”

Toya laughed as Vic rounded the SUV and opened their doors. Kwinn stepped out and looked around at the large commercial property. The building was clean and looked well maintained, with wide windows and plenty of space around it. Even the parking lot looked new, with its smooth black asphalt shining in the afternoon sun.

As she caught up with her parents, who’d already walked toward the entrance, Kwinn was starting to think that this so-called brunch spot was a secret society or something. When she stepped through the doors behind her mama, she looked around the empty, open layout, wondering what the hell they were doing there. Then, her eyes landed on the man she’d thanked God for this morning, not realizing she’d be expressing her gratitude again shortly.

Her heart skipped a beat at the sight of Melo. Warmth crept up her neck, and a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth, although she was confused by his presence. Melo stood toward the back of the space, dressed casually but fine as ever, talking to a man who appeared to be handling business based on his suit and tie. His attention shifted, and a slow smile spread across his face the second his eyes landed on her.

Melo smiled as he walked over, greeting Toya first and pulling her into a hug.

“What’s going on, Ms. Toya? How you doing?”

She smiled. “Hey. I’m doing good.”