We said our goodbyes to his parents then headed to have drinks with my mother. I wasn’t looking forward to this at all. I had been feeling off all day, and the feeling hadn’t gone away. I felt like this was all wrong or going to go wrong. My mother had met Marc, Solo, and Chris before, but this was different. Kwame was different. I couldn’t explain my feelings for him, and the more I resisted, the stronger the feeling became.
“Your parents were nice,” I told him as we headed to Na’Kia’s for drinks. It was a little after seven, so the night was still young.
“They a’ight,” he jested as I smiled. “They really like you, though. My mother has never been so talkative to any other woman I’d brought around.”
“And how many were there?” I asked, lifting my brow at him with a smirk on my face.
He grabbed my hand and kissed the back of it. “Not many. Most of them were one-night stands. I had two serious relationships. One was in high school, and of course, Charlene, but I don’t really consider her a serious relationship. Although I did have love for her.”
“Hmph. I guess I believe you.” I laughed.
“You should. I would never lie to you, baby.”
“I know. Could we just skip having drinks with my mom? I’m kind of tired.”
I was trying to get out of this situation quickly. I knew my mother. She would be able to sniff out the attraction I had to Kwame and give me her famous disappointed look. I just wanted to hold her off for a little while longer.
“I’d really love to meet the woman who gave birth to my queen. I promise we’ll only stay for an hour then we’ll leave.”
“Fine, but you owe me a back rub.”
He laughed and kissed my hand again.
“Anything for you, my love.”
Oh goodness. This is going to be a disaster.
When we arrived, the valet came around to park his car. My palms were sweating as I nervously walked beside Kwame into the restaurant. I already knew my mother was here. She had always been punctual. Doing a quick scan of the restaurant, I spotted my mother in the lounging area. I pointed the area out to the hostess as she led us over to my mother. Shania stood with a beautiful smile on her face as we approached.
“Hey, Mom.” I greeted her once we made it over.
“Hello, princess.” Her eyes then went to Kwame, and those dimples I inherited from her surfaced. “And who do we have here?”
“This is Kwame. Kwame, this is my mother, Shania.”
“How do you do, beautiful. Your daughter has told me a lot about you.”
“Oh, has she now? I’m sure they were good things. You wouldn’t be standing here if she told you about the bad.” My mother laughed, and I gave a nervous chuckle. “Well, let’s sit. I’m meeting someone in the next thirty minutes, so let’s make this quick.”
“Mom,” I warned.
I could tell she was uninterested in this meet and greet. She had done this with Solo, Chris, and Marcus as well. In her words, they wouldn’t be around long before I found interest in someone else. In this case, she was wrong, but I wouldn’t admit to falling for Kwame this soon.
“I’m sorry, Kwame. I’m not trying to be rude. This impromptu meeting was unexpected, and I had already made plans with a friend. Forgive me.”
“It’s totally fine. I just wanted to introduce myself to the woman who gave birth this amazing gem.”
My mother nodded as we sat. “A gem she is.”
“Indeed. She’s everything I never knew I needed.” Kwame stared at me and smiled.
I tried not to blush, but I couldn’t help it. The man was fine and charming. My eyes went to my mom, and she was staring at me with a slight smirk on her face.
“Well, that’s enchanting. What is it that you do again?” Shania asked.
“I’m an investor. I have shares in multiple companies as well that have been really successful.”
“And what are your intentions with my daughter?”