Part 36: like a forbidden tango dance.

"Relax; it's not like your dad will gobble him up," Mom remarked, rolling her eyes at me. I felt like a giraffe, craning my neck in an attempt to catch a glimpse of what was happening in the den, even though I couldn't see a thing.

Twenty minutes had passed since my dad took Nick for a "man-to-man chat," and an uneasy knot twisted in my stomach. What could they possibly be discussing for so long? My parents, especially my dad, had never been fond of me associating with anyone since that incident years ago.

When my dad wanted to, he could be intimidating, and his fuming was a rare sight. It was his smile that could make you feel uncomfortable, a warning sign that something was amiss.

"How did he even find out about Nick being here?" I huffed in frustration, shooting an accusatory glare at my two friends, who were supposed to help me keep things under wraps.

"Don't look at us," Lizzy replied with a scoff, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "It's not our fault your dad has the eyes of an eagle."

"I mean, who would've thought he'd spot us while I was sneaking him in? I swear, I was careful!" Carrie defended herself, crossing her arms defensively.

"You should be worrying more about yourself than about that gentleman," my mother said, a stern look settling on her face. "It's not just about your dad having sharp eyes."

"Since when did you start bringing men into the house… secretly?" She emphasized the last word, and I grimaced at how terrible that sounded. Her hands were firmly planted on her hips, a posture that screamed disapproval. It reminded me of how Carrie often scolded us, and I felt a wave of embarrassment wash over me.

"Your bad character is rubbing off on your friends. I raised you better than this, Mandy." With her hands still on her waist, she shook her head, disappointment etched across her features.

"Wait, why am I the only one getting the heat here? Might I remind you it was them who—"

"You shouldn't argue with Mom, Mandy." Just as I was about to defend myself, Carrie chimed in, raising her voice a little dramatically, her eyes wide as if trying to convey the urgency of the moment.

Here's a more detailed and engaging version of your text:

"Listen to Carrie, Mandy. Mama knows best." Lizzy interrupted just as I was about to respond, pinching my waist as if to warn me not to escalate things. I mean, I never asked them to bring Nick to my house; that was all their idea, one they hadn't bothered to share with me! So why was I the one in trouble?

Gritting my teeth, I took a deep breath, trying to reign in my frustrations.

"It was a man, Mom, not men," I attempted to defend myself. "And it only happened once," I added quickly, sensing her glare intensify.

"Once doesn't make it right, does it?" Ethan chimed in, striding into the kitchen like he owned the place. Just great! As if my friends weren't enough, my brother had to butt in.

"Whoa… what's up, Ethan? When did you grow this tall?" Lizzy exclaimed, wrapping her arms around him in an enthusiastic hug. Ethan and my two best friends always got along effortlessly, which made this moment feel even more chaotic.

Ethan chuckled, returning the hug and then pulling Carrie in as well. "But not as tall as you, Carrie, right?" he mused, a playful grin spreading across his face. I bit back a smile as I watched Carrie engulf him with her height, giving him a gentle shove that sent him stumbling back a step.

It was heartwarming to see how easily Ethan fit in with my friends, despite our occasional sibling rivalry. But then reality hit me again, and I was reminded of my precarious situation with Dad.

"Aren't you supposed to be grounded?" I scowled at Ethan, who was leaning against the counter, casually munching on some groundnuts.

"Yes, I was," he replied nonchalantly, popping a few nuts into his mouth, as if the consequences of his actions were nothing to worry about.

"That was until someone decided to sneak men into the house secretly, which set me free." I sighed in exasperation. "It was a man, not men… argh, whatever."

I almost forgot about the rule we had in our house regarding grounding: if one sibling made a mistake worse than the other, the grounded one could be set free. Apparently, my little escapade with Nick had done just that.

"I don't think your father is scary," Carrie said as she kneaded dough, her focus entirely on her task.

"He's not when it comes to his precious daughter, but the same can't be said for the guy who snuck into her room." I could hear the playful challenge in Ethan's voice.

"Thanks for your support, Lizzy, really," I shot back, rolling my eyes at her. "Where are you going?" I asked as Ethan turned to leave the kitchen.

"To the den, to see the guy you snuck in," he replied with a smirk, clearly relishing the drama unfolding.

"I may be younger than you, but this is the kind of thing only men in the house can handle. Let's see what kind of guy you're into, sis. Who knows, maybe I'll suggest some good ideas to Dad on how to deal with him." With that, Ethan sauntered out of the kitchen, leaving me even more frustrated.

I turned to Mom, ready to vent my frustrations about my brother and the entire situation, only to be cut short by her knowing glance.

"Don't look at me; you deserve it. Now focus here so we can finish dinner before my grandchild goes to sleep," Mom said dismissively, a playful smile dancing on her lips. Her comment made my friends giggle, and I shot them a glare before turning back to the task at hand, trying to push aside my growing frustration.

"Where is she even?" I asked, moving to help with the tomatoes, my knife slicing through the juicy red flesh.

"She's having a video call with her dad in her room," Carrie replied, her hands working diligently to knead the dough beside Mom.

Mama had decided to cook chapati and chicken for dinner—my favorite traditional Kenyan dish. The warm, comforting smell of dough frying in the pan filled the kitchen, mingling with the rich aroma of chicken stew simmering on the stove. The sizzling sound of the chapati cooking and the bubbling of the stew created a delightful symphony of flavors that made my mouth water, momentarily distracting me from my worries.

Watching Mama expertly flip the chapati with a practiced hand, it was clear she was a talented cook. She had learned from the best: my father, the greatest chef I knew. He had taught her everything she knew about creating delicious meals, and their combined culinary talents always resulted in a feast that never failed to lift my spirits.

Before I knew it, we were done, the kitchen filled with plates of food that looked almost too good to eat. But just then, I remembered Nick. My heart raced as I carefully sneaked toward the den, wondering if he had escaped while I was preoccupied in the kitchen or if Dad and Ethan had plotted against him in some secret, sinister way.

What greeted my eyes upon reaching the den was a surprising sight. I had expected a tense atmosphere or a petrified Nick, intimidated by Dad, but instead, he seemed to be having the time of his life, fully immersed in the game and laughing along with my family.

He was sprawled comfortably on the couch, controller in hand, completely absorbed in whatever game they were playing. The vibrant energy in the room was infectious, and I felt my heart lighten at the sight.

A wave of relief washed over me as I realized how comfortable he looked. All my worries and doubts about his presence melted away, replaced by a newfound sense of joy. It was genuinely heartwarming to see him like that, fitting in so seamlessly with my family.

"Wow, now I understand how you fell for him so quickly," Carrie said from behind me, startling me a little since I hadn't noticed her approaching.

"Yeah, he's pretty amazing," I replied, my eyes glued to the scene in front of me. I couldn't help but smile, grateful to have found someone who brought so much happiness into my life.

"I always knew he was quite a charmer," Lizzy chimed in, joining us with a teasing grin. "You two make such a perfect couple," she added, her hands playfully resting on my shoulders.

Deciding it was time to make my presence known, I stepped into the room, my heart swelling with affection for the scene unfolding before me. Dad and Ethan were so engrossed in their video game that they seemed oblivious to everything else. But Nick, the only one who turned around, looked up and his face lit up upon seeing me.

"Hi, Kitten!" he exclaimed, a broad smile spreading across his face.

There was something about his expression that made me feel all warm and mushy inside. It was incredible how someone's eyes could sparkle like a million stars when they looked at you.

But the pet name was enough to elicit teasing from my friends, who began to imitate cat meows in a chorus of playful taunts.

A warm smile spread across my face, mirroring the excitement in his eyes. Yet, just as the moment felt perfect, Ethan squealed, breaking our connection. Nick's gaze shifted away from me and back to the screen.

"Aarrg, no!" Nick groaned, watching the game display some disheartening news. Dad and Ethan erupted into laughter at his expense.

"I can't believe it took a woman to make you lose to us, man! This is why great people perished in the Bible—because of women!" Ethan joked, his laughter ringing out. Carrie, standing nearby, responded with a playful slap on the back of his head, clearly unimpressed with his comment.

Lizzy took the opportunity to slide into the space between Ethan and Dad, picking up the game controller with a mischievous grin. "Alright, who's ready for the next round?" she asked, her excitement infectious, clearly ready to join in on the fun.

"We didn't come here to play, Lizzy," I said, stopping her before she could make herself comfortable on the couch.

"Ah, you're just jealous because I know how to play and you don't," Lizzy teased, sticking her tongue out playfully, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"And who said I don't know how to play? You can ask Nick if you don't believe me," I shot back, crossing my arms and giving her a skeptical look.

"She's on fire when it comes to the game," Nick chimed in, nodding with a grin. I felt a surge of pride, but only then did I catch the teasing undertone in his voice—everyone knew I was a terrible player.

"Of course she has a good teacher—wait, don't tell me the reason you asked me to tea—" Before Ethan could finish, I was already at his side, my hand clamping over his mouth to stop the embarrassment before it could fully unfold.

Ethan tried to speak, muffled sounds escaping as I held on tight to mouth, my heart racing at the thought of my secret being exposed.

"Mom is waiting for us! Dinner is ready!" I exclaimed, desperately looking anywhere but at Nick.

The last thing I wanted was for him to know that I had bribed my brother to teach me how to play just so I could spend time with him. But something in his expression told me he might have figured it out already. I could feel his gaze on me, and when I dared to look at him, I noticed the knowing gleam in his eyes—a silent acknowledgment that made my cheeks flush with embarrassment.

Evading his stare, I focused on the task at hand: getting everyone to the dining room before any more teasing could unfold. As we began to move, Nick subtly positioned himself next to me.

"Learn overnight, huh?" Nick whispered with a sly smile, his voice barely audible. I felt my cheeks flush, knowing he had caught onto my secret.

"Please don't ask," I pleaded, shame washing over me once again. Nick let out a hearty chuckle, drawing curious glances from the others at the table, but they quickly resumed their conversations when we said nothing further.

Our dining room was spacious and beautifully designed, adorned with elegant chandeliers and a long, polished wooden table that could easily seat twenty. From a distance, the inviting aroma of freshly cooked food wafted through the air, making mouths water.

"Mmmmh, this is heaven!" Ethan exclaimed, inhaling deeply as we settled in at the table.

The table was beautifully set with elegant china and sparkling silverware, showcasing our homemade feast: Kuku wa Nazi (chicken steamed in coconut milk), Pilau (a fragrant rice dish), and Sukuma Wiki (collard greens cooked with tomatoes and onions). The Kenyan dishes dazzled with vibrant colors and tantalizing flavors.

"Nick, is it?" Mom broke the silence as she passed a plate of fried chicken to him. "Yes, ma'am," he replied politely, serving himself a generous portion.

"I hope you find the food to your liking," she added, her tone warm.

"It's wonderful, ma'am. I must say, you live up to your reputation," Nick responded, and I felt an urge to roll my eyes at how he kept addressing her as "ma'am."

Why was he so at ease in our home? Wasn't he supposed to be following the script?

I couldn't help but feel a twinge of annoyance as I watched Nick effortlessly engage in conversation with my family. It was as if he had known them for years, completely disregarding the fact that this was our first meeting. I couldn't help but wonder what impression he had made on my dad, who was usually so uptight in these situations.

"Oh, really? What is that?" Mom asked, intrigued.

"I've heard a lot from Mandy about how she got her cooking skills from you two," he replied, a smile spreading across his face as he looked between my parents. Dad, busy enjoying his food, looked up with pride in his eyes.

"Well, they had a good teacher," Dad chuckled, accepting the compliment shamelessly, which made everyone else laugh at his usual behavior.

"I'm glad you love the dish, and welcome, dear! I'm sure no one has properly welcomed you," Mom added, her eyes shining with warmth.

"Though I'd prefer if you used the door next time; we don't bite." Laughter erupted in response to Mom's playful remark.

"I still can't believe you did that for a girl; mhh, that could never be me," Ethan chimed in, shrugging with his mouth full, earning a light smack from Mom.

"Swallow your food first, boy," she chided before turning to Nick again. "And, yeah, you can call me Gracie. 'Ma'am' sounds a little too formal for me."

"Gracie!" little Shantel suddenly exclaimed, her mouth full of steak, prompting another round of laughter.

"No, sweetheart; you should call her Grandma," I said, trying to hide my smile at her frown.

"But why does he get to call you Gracie?" she asked innocently, pointing at Nick with her fork.

"It's not polite to point," my sister gently reminded her, reinforcing her manners.

"But why does he get to…"

"Because only special people get to call Gracie 'Grandma,' and you're the most special to Grandma, right?" Nick came to the rescue, impressing me with his quick thinking.

"So I am special?" Shantel's doe eyes met my mother's, who smiled warmly in response.

"Of course you're my darling. You are my favorite." Shantel beamed as she continued to eat the steak she had been handed.

"I heard that, right? She's her favorite," I said to Ethan, turning to him haughtily, but he just stuck his tongue out at me.

"Children," Lizzy muttered, digging into her food.

"I heard you're an architect," Mom said, changing the subject.

"Yes, that's correct," Nick replied, taking a sip of his wine. "I've been working in the field for about three years now." My mother nodded approvingly.

"That's quite impressive. It must be fascinating to design and create beautiful buildings," she remarked.

Nick smiled modestly. "It definitely has its challenges, but I find it incredibly rewarding."

"Are your parents in the same field, or are you the first one in the family?" Mom asked, genuinely curious. I could tell she was trying to get to know my 'boyfriend.'

"No, actually," Nick replied. "Neither of my parents are architects. I'm the first in my family to pursue this career path. My dad is a surgeon, while my mom is a florist." I turned toward him in surprise.

"A florist? I love flowers!" I squealed, unable to contain my excitement, making Nick chuckle. "I'll take you there soon."

"Really? I'm so looking forward to it!" I was already picturing us surrounded by flowers, looking beautiful and aesthetic amidst vibrant colors and fragrant scents. It would be—

My daydreaming was interrupted by my dad clearing his throat, clearly displeased with my distracted expression.

"Since they met," Carrie, my best friend whom I wanted to strangle at that moment, said with a mischievous grin.

I shot her a glare, hoping to convey my panic, but she only shrugged, clearly enjoying the chaos she was causing.

"We are not dating," I was supposed to say that in my head but...well, to hell with it.

"Not dating? Then why the hell did you have a man in your room?" My mother interjected, her voice a mix of concern and disbelief.

I felt my face flush. "Mom, it's not what you think!" I stammered, desperately trying to regain control of the situation.

"We are not dating yet, but I am courting your daughter with the utmost respect and intentions of getting to know her better," Nick suddenly interjected, breaking the tense silence.

His confident tone and sincere expression took me by surprise. "I assure you, Gracie, that I have nothing but good intentions toward your daughter," he continued, his voice unwavering.

My heart raced as I processed his words. Courting? The formality of it made me feel both flattered and anxious. Mom's eyes widened, a mixture of surprise and approval flickering across her face.

"Courting?" she echoed, her tone softening. "That's quite traditional, isn't it?"

"Yes, ma'am," Nick replied, his demeanor respectful. "I believe in taking the time to truly understand someone before rushing into anything. Mandy is special, and I want to make sure I approach this relationship the right way."

I could feel the weight of everyone's gaze on me, and I suddenly felt very aware of how I must look—wide-eyed and caught off guard. This was not how I envisioned the evening going.

Dad, clearly amused, leaned back in his chair with a grin. "Well, I appreciate a man who knows what he wants. It's refreshing."

Nick smiled back, his confidence unwavering. "Thank you, sir. I just think it's important to build a strong foundation, especially when it comes to relationships."

"Smart thinking," Mom said, nodding slowly. "But just remember, Mandy is my baby, and I have my eyes on you."

"I wouldn't expect anything less," Nick replied, his tone light but serious. "I respect that completely."

The tension in the room began to dissipate, and I felt a mix of relief and admiration for Nick. He was handling my family's scrutiny with grace, and somehow, that made me feel a little braver.

"Alright then," Lizzy said, breaking the brief silence. "If you're courting her, what's your plan? Any grand gestures in mind?"

"Maybe flowers?" Shantel piped up, her eyes sparkling. "Sunflowers!"

Nick chuckled, glancing at me. "Well, I have a few ideas up my sleeve, but I'll keep those a surprise for now."

"Good answer," Lizzy teased, leaning back in her chair. "Keep the mystery alive!"

It wasn't every day that—scratch that—he was never this vocal about his feelings and intentions. I wanted to have a close look at him, but I didn't want to abash myself by revealing how smitten I was with this gentleman.

Or perhaps not so gentlemanly, as I nearly gasped when I felt his hand on my thigh, under the table. A rush of heat flooded through me, mingling with a sense of thrill and danger. My heart raced, and I caught a glimpse of his smirk, confident and knowing.

I shifted slightly, pretending to adjust my napkin, but his fingers remained, warm and inviting, igniting a whirlwind of thoughts in my mind. What was he thinking? What was I thinking? Oh goodness! How was I supposed to react with everyone around us? The laughter and clatter of dishes felt like a distant hum, the world narrowing down to just the two of us.

I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks, and I fought to maintain my composure, forcing a smile at the person across the table as if nothing was amiss. But his thumb brushed softly against my skin, a subtle challenge that sent shivers down my spine. Did he enjoy this game?

…

"You know, I learned something today."

"That the girl you're totally into is super amazing and beautiful?" I joked, earning a rich chuckle from him.

"Yeah, that too. Where have you been all my life?" His comment made me laugh, and I was thoroughly enjoying our conversation. It had been an hour since Nick and my two friends left the house. I wanted to join them, but my dad insisted that Nick pick me up tomorrow for the Valentine's party.

"You and your father are so much alike, you know?" I laid back on the bed, pondering his words. I quirked an eyebrow, curious about what he meant.

"You're shameless, and your narcissism is on another level." I choked on laughter at his blunt honesty. I'd been told countless times that I took after my father more than my mother, accepting compliments with ease.

"Aren't you afraid my dad will withhold his blessings for courting his daughter?" I chuckled at his question, shaking my head. "Nah, your dad likes me more," he replied boastfully.

"Why do I suddenly feel like there's a competition for my dad's affection?" I stood up from the bed and moved toward the window, the full moon shining through the drapes.

We'd been on the phone for who knows how long, talking about everything and nothing all at once. Like a high schooler, I'd shifted from the bed to the couch, then to my wardrobe, and now I stood at the window, a silly smile plastered on my face.

It was hard to sit still while talking to the love of my life. I wished I'd gone home with him. I longed to be with him, counting down the hours until tomorrow when I'd finally see him again.

"I wish you were here with me." His voice echoed my thoughts, and I bit my lip.