Page 26 of Cherry's Jubilee

A couple of nights ago, Daniel gave his chef the night off and said he’d cook me dinner. After putting all the ingredients on his kitchen island, he admitted he had no idea what to do. I ended up making us a meal.

“My parents both cook,” I say. “And they say cooking for someone is—” I stop before I say the wrong word. I take a sip of my drink while I think of something that conveys what my parents think without using their specific word. “Caring,” I say. “It shows you care for someone when you take the time to feed and nourish them.”

“Your parents are wise,” he says.

With me on his lap, we eat our breakfast. Even though we are both eating the same thing, he feeds me some of his, and gestures for me to feed him some of mine.

It’s been two weeks, and I’ve never been more content in a relationship. There are no games with Daniel, and we’ve spent every night together since the weekend.

“So, we’ll go to my office for about an hour. I have a meeting that I can’t get out of. We’ll leave right after,” he says.

I freeze on his lap. I’ve known about this all week, but now that the time has come, I’m nervous. I will never let him know that though. “You’re not scared, are you?” he challenges.

“In your dreams, Jubilee,” I toss back with a hair flip. I’m satisfied when it hits him in the face.

“Good.” He plants a greasy kiss on the side of my neck.

Once we finish breakfast, I start to clear the dishes, but he lifts me off my feet and carries me to his bedroom. When we leave the bedroom, I know his penthouse will return to pristine order. It will be like we had never cooked or eaten in the kitchen at all.

After getting dressed, I notice the rain has stopped just as the weatherman had predicted. The sun is starting to peak through the clouds, and I know it will be hot. Today is when I will meet the rest of Daniel’s immediate family at the home where he grew up.

His sister is in town, and his mother wants a family day; today is the day they can make it happen. According to Daniel’s father, he and his wife issued me a personal invitation. As nice as Daniel Senior is, I don’t think he’s used to being told no. The invitation was more like an order than a request.

As I pack my beach bag, I feel butterflies in my stomach. It went well the last time I met a man’s family, but that was different. He wasn’t the son of one of the wealthiest men in the country. He wasn’t set to inherit and run a conglomerate. He wasn’t white. We were the same age and were at the same stage in life. We were equals in every way, and I was confident when I met his family.

They liked me and it was mutual. That relationship ended because he decided to enlist in the military, and I wasn’t interested in a long-distance relationship.

This situation with Daniel Jubilee is entirely different. While I’m confident in most things, this one has left me uncertain. Daniel’s presence in my life was completely random and unexpected. I could never have predicted I would meet him, let alone feel a connection, but that’s what happened. Despite meeting and feeling comfortable around his father, the rest of his immediate family is different. He’s the oldest of five, and I don’t know how everyone else will receive me.

My phone vibrates on the bed with a text from my best friend.

Ginger: I need updates every ten minutes. Sneak pictures if you can.

Ginger: And stop worrying. They will love you. Everyone loves you.

Me: I’m scared shitless.

Ginger: As long as you don’t shit in your pants, you’re okay. If anyone upsets you, know one thing.

Me: What’s that?

Ginger: We ride at dawn!

She adds a bunch of weapon emojis, and I respond with a heart. Daniel comes out of the bathroom, dressed in a suit like always. He takes my bag, slings it over his shoulder, and offers me his hand.

Chapter 17

Daniel

“Good morning, Ashley,” I say to my assistant. She’s in the hallway, holding a cup of coffee. “No coffee for me this morning,” I say as she stands there like a deer in headlights and watches.

Cherry tightens her arm around mine but offers no greeting for her cousin. Ashley is a true example of what happens when a parent poisons their child against someone. Cherry Cross has turned out to be the sweetest person and one of the most intelligent people I’ve ever met. She’s ambitious and manages to run a small business while working full-time.

“Of course, Daniel,” she says, her voice frostier than I’ve ever heard. She will be furious in the next ten minutes if she's mad now.

“I sent you an email a few minutes ago. Please, take care of that for me. I’ll need it before we leave today,” I order.

“We?”’ she asks, as if she’s confused.

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