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I’d given her the talk about the birds and the bees. I taught her the game about how boys would sweet-talk her and say anything they thought she wanted to hear to get between her legs. I even made sure she was efficient in self-defense.

At the end of the day, I could only hope she didn’t disregard everything I told her the first time she thought she was too grown to listen to her daddy. The only thing keeping me off blood pressure medicine was knowing that I had done the best I could with her.

Her mom and I had instilled good values in her that we hoped and prayed she would carry with her on her daily journey. That didn’t mean I was ready to hear her talking about being in love.

“It’s a valid question. I haven’t said that I was in love. You’re the one who brought it up,” I said.

“I’ve watched enough movies and read enough books to know love when I see it,” she replied.

“Can you watch Trey for a second? Let me check on these boys,” Shiloh said, springing up from her seat.

Trey was in his own world, eating tiny pieces of banana that Shiloh cut up for him. He wasn’t worried about us. Shiloh, on the other hand, damn near ran away from the table after my daughter started talking about being in love.

I shook my head, picking up my sweet tea and taking a sip. Amber was right. Either the chips and salsa were good as hell, or I was starving.

“She’s pretty, Dad. I like the way she makes you blush.”

I frowned. “You ain’t ever seen me blush in your life.”

“Not until today,” she said, pointing a chip in my direction.

“I don’t know about all that blushing stuff, but I like her,” I agreed.

“What about the kids? I know my mom is over you. She’s married and all that, and Victor’s mom is a train wreck, so I’m sure we don’t have to worry about her. What about her sons’ dad? Is he still around?” Amber quizzed.

“One of them is in prison, and the other is barely in the picture. I’m hoping that he stays away. I rather take up where they left off and leave it at that.”

Amber smirked. “But you claim you’re not in love. Who would want to replace not one but two baby daddies if they weren’t absolutely in love.”

“I said I like her, Amber, damn.”

“I bet you do. She’s fine, and Vick said she can cook.”

“You been questioning my boy about her?” I asked her.

“Heck yes. I needed to make sure he was in good hands in my absence. I don’t want a Trisha number two.”

“Well, I’m glad you’re looking out for your brother, but I got it.”

“You’re easily distracted by a fine woman and a good meal. That’s why I had to see what Vick thought about her.”

“Wow, really?” I chuckled.

“You know what they say. You can’t trust a big butt and a smile,” Amber teased.

I shook my head at my daughter’s antics. “What am I gon’ do with you?” I asked. She followed my eyes as I watched Shiloh and the boys return to the table.

“The same thing you’re doing with Shiloh,” she responded.

“And what is that?”

“Love me.”

An uneventful two weeks felt like the best time I’d had in my life. My daughter spent a lazy weekend at home with me and Victor before letting me know that it would be a few weeks before she came home again. I liked the idea of her becoming her own woman, so I didn’t put up as much of a fight as I wanted to about her coming home.

Since setting up shop at Q’s, Shiloh had adopted a new schedule where she took three days off, so she didn’t open on Mondays anymore. I was proud that she had found enough success to where she didn’t have to stretch herself so thin, but I missed her and Trey on Monday mornings. Having Trey with me gave me something to do and kept me from micromanaging the mechanics. I stepped in when they needed and wanted my help, which wasn’t often.

Although Shiloh didn’t have to work on Mondays, I still made sure to pick Theo up for school. He and Vick had been getting along, and I wanted to keep that dynamic going. Plus, I wanted to make sure my girl got her proper rest. I knew how valuable being able to sleep in was.