Page 45 of Crash: Love in Scrubs
“Good, because I’m not focused on anyone else. But to answer your question, I’m here to stay. As long as Sametra will allow me. And I’ll get another job if I have to. I can’t get another her.”
The table went still. My stomach hit my feet and heat slowly replaced it. He’d already told me that but hearing him reassure me without knowing I needed it made me want to drag him to the supply closet.
My daddy didn’t speak right away. He just stared at Malik, then took a slow sip of his tea like he was letting that settle in.
“That right?” Daddy said finally, his voice giving nothing away.
“Every word.”
The silence stretched between them, again. I could feel my heart hammering against my ribs. This was it, the moment that would either make or break everything. Malik had already made it clear that his attention was completely on me. I was nervous about how my father would respond to such bold declarations in such short time.
Daddy stared at Malik for what felt like forever, his face unreadable. Then, slowly, he nodded once and picked up his menu like the conversation was over.
“Well then. Y’all ready to eat?”
Just like that, we moved into ordering like Malik hadn’t just dropped a damn love bomb in the middle of dinner, without actually saying it. I sat there trying to process what had just happened while Malik calmly ordered the pot roast meal.
“I’ll have the same,” I managed, still feeling off-kilter.
Once our waitress took our orders back to the kitchen, the conversation shifted naturally. Daddy and Malik fell into an easy discussion about football, Malik’s high school stats, to whiskey preferences, fishing tips, and hunting stories. The whole nine.
I watched in amazement as my usually reserved father opened up, sharing stories I hadn’t heard in years over our meal. Malik listened intently, asked the right questions, laughed at the right moments. He wasn’t trying too hard or being fake, he was just... himself. And somehow, that was exactly what Daddy needed to see.
After about thirty minutes of this easy back-and-forth, Lorana and I exchanged a look. She tilted her head toward the kitchen, and I nodded.
“Excuse us,” I said, standing. “We’re gonna go check on dessert.”
We slipped into the kitchen, and she immediately placed her hands on my shoulders before lifting one hand to cup my cheek.
“Pudding, he’s perfect. He’s the one. I can feel it. I need to start planning for a wedding. Oh my god, will you two keep us posted. I need to talk to your father about paying for it.” Her eyes were soft, motherly.
“Lorana, slow down. I don’t think it’s time to plan for a wedding yet.”
“Girl, are you okay? Were you at the table with us? Your dad likes that man.”
“I’m something. I like him so much. Maybe too much. It’s so soon.” I shook my head, voicing the fear that had been nagging at me. “I don’t even know why he likes me. All the baggage I come with, he’s already had to deal with Ashe’s mess.”
“Stop it right there.” Her voice got firm, the way it did when she needed me to listen. “Don’t you dare sabotage this. I’ve watched you with men before, and I never cared one way or the other. But this time? This time I care. That man out there is your husband, Sametra. I can see it all over both of you.”
She paused, studying my face with those knowing eyes. “And if Ashe keeps bothering you, you tell your father. You know Dale will handle it. He’s still got buddies on the force.”
“What if this is all too much too fast? What if he realizes I’m not worth all this drama?”
“Hush, you deserve this. You deserve him. And I won’t let you or your stubborn daddy mess it up with all that overprotective nonsense. But from the looks of it, I think Malik will fit in just fine.”
We watched through the kitchen window for a moment at my daddy gesturing wildly with his hands, probably telling another fishing story, while Malik listened with genuine interest. The sight made me softly touch my heart.
We headed back out to serve dessert, and I noticed Samaj and Malik had shifted into their own conversation. My son was actually smiling, engaged, not looking like he’d rather be anywhere else. That was rare for Thursday dinners lately.
“I really enjoyed my meal,” Malik said as Lorana set the peach cobbler in front of him. “I can’t believe I’ve been missing out on this spot. Thank you for your hospitality.”
“Well, come back anytime, especially for fried fish Fridays. That’s a fan favorite,” she beamed.
“Sounds like I’ll see you tomorrow then,” he joked, making her laugh. “It was nice meeting you both.”
Then he turned to me, his expression shifting to something more serious. I got nervous. “MiMi, can I holla at you for a second?”
He extended his hand, and I took it, letting him lead me outside into the parking lot. The night air was cool against my skin as he guided me to the sleek black car he’d arrived in. Once we reached it, he pressed my back gently against the driver’s side door, his hands settling on my waist.
