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“Nothing, Daddy.”

I couldn’t help laughing myself. Mr. Hayes looked at me before glancing down at the phone in my hand.

“Ah. So that’s what’s going on.”

I slipped my phone into my pocket.

“What’s that, sir?”

“You two think you’re slick.”

I laughed. He shook his head while smiling.

“I’m not as old as y’all think I am.”

“Nobody said you were old, Daddy,” Penelope replied.

“Good. Because I’m still young enough to know when two people are texting each other while sitting in the same vehicle.”

I laughed harder. Penelope leaned forward to look around him.

“You see what you started?”

“Me?” I asked.

“Yes, you!”

Mr. Hayes chuckled.

“I’m beginning to see why you like this young man so much. He seems to keep you entertained.”

“He does,” she admitted.

I looked at her, and she smiled at me before settling back against her seat. Mr. Hayes cleared his throat.

“Now, MJ, since I finally have you here, tell me a little about yourself.”

I turned toward him.

“What would you like to know, sir?”

“Everything.”

On the way to breakfast, I told him all about school and my studies. He had a bunch of questions, and I made sure to answer them all. In no time, we got out of the car and went inside this nice establishment for breakfast. The restaurant was one of those upscale breakfast spots where everything looked expensive before you even opened the menu. Cream-colored booths lined the walls, soft music played throughout, and the smell of fresh coffee hit me as soon as we walked inside.

A hostess greeted Mr. Hayes by name.

“Good morning, Mr. Hayes. Your usual table?”

“Please. Thank you.”

She smiled and led us toward a table near the windows. Once we were seated, a server came over with water and coffee. Penelope immediately started looking through the menu, and I shook my head when I heard her talking about ordering French toast.

“What?” she asked.

“That’s the same breakfast you wanted me to make.”

“And now I don’t have to cook it,” she said with a smile.