Chapter Nineteen

Pasha

I could tell Callum had been talking to Bella about me because she was being super friendly. It made me wonder what he'd said. It wasn't that she was trying to be in my business; more so, she knew something I didn't. Precious, however, was just as friendly as he told me she would be. Right now, I was following her instructions on how to set the table. It was the cutest thing because she was so serious.

"Uncle Cay's plate goes right here," she said. "He always sits next to me, but you can have my spot tonight."

I smiled. "Are you sure? I hear he's your favorite uncle."

She giggled. "He is. But I can share him tonight."

"Well, thank you, Precious."

"Ms. Pasha, do you have kids?"

"Precious, that's personal," Bella immediately interjected. She offered me a sympathetic look, and I knew Callum had mentioned me losing my son.

"It's okay," I said quietly. I turned back to Precious, stooping down to eye level with her. "I had a baby a year ago, but he didn't make it."

"So he's in heaven?"

"Yes."

She looked sad for a moment. "I'm sorry."

"You have nothing to be sorry about."

"Mommy and Uncle Cay's mommy and daddy are in heaven too. I bet they look out for him."

Her innocence made me smile.

"That would be nice. I'm sure between them and my mom and dad, he has a lot of people caring for him."

Her eyes widened. "You lost your mommy and daddy too?"

"I did."

She looked back at Bella, tears brimming in her eyes. "Mommy, that's so sad. She's all alone." She turned to me and threw her arms around my neck. "I don't want you to be alone."

I picked her up and gave her a reassuring hug.

"I'm not alone. I have some really great friends that are my family."

She pulled back and looked at me. I swiped the tears from her eyes.

"Like Uncle Cay?"

"Well, your uncle is a different kind of friend. I'm still getting to know him."

"He's my best friend. He can be a real good friend to you too."

I smiled. "You think so?"

"Yeah! He can take you for ice cream, and you can have sleepovers and watch movies and go to the park! All kinds of stuff!"

Her excitement was infectious, and I couldn't help but laugh.

"Sounds like you two have a lot of fun together," I said.

"So much fun!"

"Okay, Precious," Bella said. "Don't talk Ms. Pasha's ear off. Why don't you go in the living room and watch TV for a little bit?"

"Okay, Mommy."

She kissed my cheek before I put her down, then ran off.

"She's the sweetest thing," I commented.

"She's like her daddy when it comes to meeting new people. He's very friendly. Just don't be alarmed if he looks at your teeth. It's kinda his thing as an oral surgeon."

I snickered. "Callum has warned me."

"Soooo..." She dragged the word out as she stirred her pot. "You and my brother?"

"He's just a friend."

"Callum doesn't have female friends. You must be pretty special."

"Well, I wouldn't say that."

"If you saw how he was smiling while talking to you earlier, you would." She smirked as she looked at me. "You two would make a beautiful couple. And I'm not just saying that because that's my ugly-ass brother."

I laughed. "He's quite handsome."

She pretended to gag. "He's okay."

"Well, Precious's teachers seem to think so."

"I'm learning that her teachers are thirsty. He pays them no mind, though. Precious is all he sees when he has her. They make me sick sometimes, girl. She'll literally forget about me when she's with his big-head ass."

"Isn't that what uncles and aunties are for?"

She kissed her teeth. "I guess."

The sound of approaching footsteps caused her gaze to shift. When Callum and, who I assumed to be her husband, walked in, she stopped stirring the pot and placed her hands on her hips. Callum raised his palms in surrender.

"I told him," he stated. "He said he wasn't afraid of you."

His brother-in-law slapped his arm. "Bruh!" He glared at him for a moment before smiling, walking over to his wife, and sliding his arms around her. He placed a kiss on her lips.

"I didn't say that, baby."

Callum smirked. "Punk ass. Pasha, this is Martin. Martin, this is Pasha."

"It's nice to meet you," I said, smiling warmly.

"Nice to meet you... You have nice teeth."

Both Callum and Bella laughed.

"Told you," they both said.

Martin looked around, confused. "What?"

Bella pecked his lips. "Nothing, my love. Why are you in my kitchen?"

"I just came to speak since neither you nor your brother introduced me to our guest."

"Well, you've met her. Now get out."

Martin shook his head. "You see how she does me? I'm going. Give me a kiss."

He pulled her closer, pressed his lips to hers, and then kissed her all over her face. She broke into a fit of giggles that ended with her snorting and covering her mouth. She playfully slapped his chest.

"Stop making me ugly laugh!" she exclaimed. "Get out of my kitchen."

"Yes, ma'am."

He grabbed two beers from the fridge. Then he and Callum headed back in the direction they came from.

"Are you two like this all the time?" I asked.

"Yes, girl. He makes me feel like a teenager again... hopelessly in love."

"That's beautiful. You make a nice couple."

"Thank you. He's my college sweetheart. Callum wasn't happy when I brought him home, but he loves him now."

She went back to stirring her pot. I took a seat on the stool in front of the island. I could see that she and her brother were as close as he said they were.

"Can I ask you something?" I said.

"Sure."

"How was he as a parental figure? He said he raised you after you lost your parents."

She smiled softly. "He was strict, but at the same time, he was very loving, understanding, and hands-on. He never missed any of my big moments. He was always right there encouraging me and being my biggest cheerleader. He put his life on hold to make sure we could stay together. When everyone backed out of taking us in, he stepped up. He left school and got a nine to five. Sometimes, I could hear him crying and praying to God that things would get better and easier, and that broke me, Pasha. The love I have for him goes past him being my big brother. He took care of me when he was still a kid himself, and I have so much respect for him."

She reached across the counter and took my hands.

"He told me about your situation. And it wasn't to tell me your business. It was to make me aware of the parameters of your friendship. I say that to say this. If you ever find yourself catching feelings for him or no longer wanting just a friendship, you will have a good man. He's not perfect, but he's one of the best men I know. I stand ten toes down behind that."

"I hear you."

"So... Tell me a little about you."

I gave her a short rundown. I found that she was really easy to talk to. She, like her brother, had a genuine spirit. I could tell that she was a good person and probably someone I would enjoy being around. About fifteen minutes later, dinner was done. I helped her plate everything, and then she called the household to eat. As we made our way to the table, Callum pulled up my chair and allowed me to sit. I offered him a grateful smile. He grabbed my hand as we bowed our heads to pray. While Martin led the table in prayer, I snuck a glance at Callum. I just couldn't get over how handsome he was and how good he had been to me. I knew that if I kept being around him, it would make just being his friend very hard.

Dinner was great.

Callum's family was very welcoming and gave me all-around good vibes. Precious quickly became my little friend, just as her uncle said she would. I couldn't help but love her sweetness and innocence. She asked me questions like she was conducting an interview. It was amazing how articulate she was for a four-year-old. By the night's end, she'd fallen asleep in my arms.

"I'll take her," Martin said, standing from the couch. "It's way past her bedtime anyway. Thank you for joining us, Pasha. You're welcome anytime."

"Thank you for having me."

He smiled as he scooped Precious up and carried her upstairs.

"Are you ready to go?" Callum asked from beside me.

"Yes. The food was good, and I enjoyed the company, but the ‘itis' is kicking in. My bed is calling me."

He stood and reached for my hand, pulling me to my feet. Bella stood and walked us to the door.

"It was so nice to meet you, boo," she said, pulling me in for a hug.

"It was nice meeting you too. I appreciate your hospitality."

"We have to get together without this one." She gestured to her brother, and he looked at her offended.

"How are you gonna steal my friend?"

"'Cause I can. You take care, Pasha. You have my number. Don't be a stranger. I'll see you this week, Callum."

"You will. Love you, sis."

"I love you too."

They shared a brief embrace, and he kissed her forehead. Then he grabbed my hand and led me out to his truck. After helping me in, he rounded the driver's side and climbed in himself. I settled into the comfort of his leather seat with a smile. He looked over at me when he closed his door.

"You good?" he asked.

"I'm great. Thank you for tonight. I haven't felt a genuine family vibe in a long time. I mean, I have my girls, but that's different. This was... I don't know. It made me feel all warm inside. I needed that."

"I'm glad I could provide that for you."

He cranked up and backed out of the driveway. The ride back to my apartment was made in comfortable silence, aside from the smooth RB playing through the speakers. I glanced at Callum, and thoughts of his sister's words ran through my mind. I didn't feel she was trying to cover up for him. As she spoke about him, the look in her eyes was one of love and adoration. There was no way to fake that. On the outside, maybe, but not inside.

We pulled up to my apartment building about twenty minutes later. Much to my surprise, he pulled into a parking spot instead of in front of the door.

"Can I walk you up?" he asked.

"Sure."

We climbed out of the truck, and he walked around to offer me his arm. I accepted, and we headed into the building. We spent the ride up to my floor, stealing glances at each other and smiling. I couldn't seem to get myself together. Why was I acting like a schoolgirl with this man? We stepped off the elevator and made our way down the hall to my door.

"This is me," I said, pressing my back against it.

"It is."

"Thank you again for tonight."

"Pasha, if you thank me one more time, you're gonna know something."

"Well, I don't know what else to say!" My cheeks were heating up because I was blushing so hard.

"Say you'll spend some time with me this Friday."

"Are you asking me on a date?"

"I'm asking you to let your friend take you out and show you a good time."

"Just as friends?"

"Just as friends."

I pondered his request. I had nothing to do once I got off from the hotel. The girls hadn't mentioned making any plans, so my evening was wide open. I found myself nodding.

"Okay. I get off at six."

"Dress comfortably. We're gonna do something fun."

"Something fun like what?"

"I guess you'll have to wait and see."

"I don't know if I like surprises."

He chuckled. "Just trust me. You're in good hands." He lifted my fingers to his lips and kissed them. "Can you do that for me?"

"O-okay."

He smiled. "Good. I'll see you Friday. Be ready at seven thirty."

"Okay."

He leaned in and kissed my cheek. "Good night, Pasha."

"Good night."

I unlocked the door and stepped inside as he made his way back down the hall. I couldn't stop smiling as I sauntered into my bedroom. I almost jumped out of my skin when I saw Avyn sitting on my bed, grinning like a Cheshire Cat.

"You scared the hell out of me!" I exclaimed.

"I bet I did."

"What are you doing here?"

"I was waiting for you. But I see you were preoccupied."

"Were you... Were you at the door?"

Her smile widened. "I may have seen him kiss you, and you let him."

"It was on my cheek!"

"It didn't look like that. You walked in here blushing and whatnot. Let me find out!"

I rolled my eyes. "It's not that serious."

"So, enlighten me on what it is. Where have you been?"

"He asked me to have dinner with him and his family."

"Oooooh!" She patted the space beside her on the bed, and I climbed up. "How did it go? Wait, first, how did that even happen?"

"I was getting off work, and I literally bumped into him when he came to pick up some things for his sister. Everything went well. She's super nice, and so is her husband. And their daughter is just the most adorable little girl I have ever seen. She's so sweet and well mannered."

"Awww, sounds like you had a really good time."

"I did."

"That's twice you've been in his company since moving in here."

"He asked to take me out on Friday."

Her eyes widened, and her mouth dropped. She scrambled to her knees and tackled me on the bed.

"You have a date!"

"It's not a date! Just two friends hanging out and enjoying each other's company."

"Bullshit. Y'all can call it what you want. Friend date. Date date. That's a date, pooh. Please let me help you get ready. The girls can come over, and we can get you all glammed up."

"Pump your brakes. It's not that kind of party. He said to wear something comfortable."

"Comfortable can still be cute, and cute you will be. I'm so excited for you, Pash. I like Callum for you. Whether this stays a friendship or branches into something more, I'm happy that somebody is making you smile these days."

She threw her arms around me and hugged me. It wasn't until I felt the tears seeping through my shirt that I realized she was crying. I held back and looked at her.

"What's wrong?"

"To see you living a little after being down for so long... It's beautiful to watch. When Raymond isolated you from us, I worried about you so much, Pasha. I cried for you. I prayed for you. I wanted so bad just to come and snatch you up out of that house. You could have stayed with me forever, and I wouldn't have cared. That's how much I love you and want you to be happy."

"I love you too, Avyn. I'm grateful every day that I ended up at your hotel. I'm not sure where I would be right now without you."

We embraced each other in a loving hug. I could feel the emotions running through her. Avyn wasn't the most emotionally expressive person with everybody. Even Blake and Tia didn't get to see her the way I did. For her to express full-out emotion, she had to be feeling it heavily. At this moment, I realized just how much my traumas impacted her too. I never wanted to cause her distress, and I didn't want that for myself ever again.