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Mr. Hayes looked between us.

“You were going to cook breakfast for my daughter?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Can you cook?” he asked.

“A little something.”

Penelope laughed.

“He can cook, Daddy.”

“Well, that’s good. A man should know how to take care of himself.”

“I agree,” I said.

He looked pleased with my answer.

After we ordered, Mr. Hayes asked me a few more questions about school and what I liked to do outside of classes. He also asked about my siblings, and I told him about Maliah, Maylee, and the newest addition to our family.

“Your parents have four children?” he asked.

“Yes, sir.”

“That’s a full house.”

“Especially with Maylee around,” I chuckled to myself.

“She’s so cute,” Penelope said with a smile.

“Cute until she starts talking,” I replied.

Mr. Hayes laughed.

“Sounds like somebody else I know.”

He looked at his daughter, and Penelope rolled her eyes.

“Daddy, really?”

“I’m just saying.”

I shook my head while laughing.

As the conversation continued, I learned a little more about Mr. Hayes too. He had been in real estate development for years, and the building Penelope and I lived in was only one of several properties he owned. He spoke about his work with pride, but whenever Penelope started talking, he gave her his full attention. I could tell she was his world.

Our food arrived, and the conversation slowed down while everybody started eating. Penelope had ordered enough food to feed two people, yet somehow, she still found a reason to reach over and steal a piece of bacon off my plate.

“Really?” I asked as I looked at her.

She smiled while chewing.

“What?”

“You got bacon right there.”

“Yours looked better.”