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“Don’t worry, my moms good people. Shit, my pops is too when he ain’t tryna curse me out,” he said before he climbed out and came around to open the door for me.

He’d made sure I looked the part with an over-expensive black Prada dress and shoes, but I still felt completely out of place and I hadn’t even stepped foot inside yet.

Reaching for my hand, Cruz gave it a squeeze as he led me up to the door and let us in.

“Mama! Pops!” His voice echoed off the walls of the huge foyer while I took in the décor, where the table and vase alone cost more than everything I owned put together, including my car, no doubt.

The sound of heels clicking drew my eyes to the hall, and I braced myself as the most beautiful and elegant-looking lady came strutting toward us.

Her salt and pepper hair was pulled away from her face into a chignon, and she was made up like she was on her way to a runway show and not just a dinner with her son and his… whatever we were.

“Angelus, don’t yell like that,” she drawled, stopping in front of where we stood so that he could kiss her cheek.

My eyes shot straight to Cruz. I hadn’t known that was his name this entire time, and I started to see that maybe we really weren’t ready for such a big step, but I kept that to myself.

“How else I’m gone let y’all know I’m here?” He frowned like that made perfect sense, and even I had to look at him crazy.

“The gate alerts us when you arrive, and you know that. You’re just trying to work your father’s nerves, and I’m telling you now, I’m not about to deal with y’all shit today.

” She quickly went from high society to Southside princess in seconds, rolling her neck and all.

“Now stop being rude and introduce us.” Her attention fell on me as Cruz, or Angelus, made the introductions.

“Ma, this is my girl, Keyani. Keyani, this is my mother, Serena.”

“It’s so nice to meet you,” I gushed, shaking her soft hand.

“Likewise, dear.” She smiled, studying me and nodding in approval.

“Your father’s in the parlor, we can wait for dinner there.

” She was already spinning on her heels as she spoke, and Cruz pulled me along, falling into step behind her.

For some reason, I was a lot more nervous about meeting his father than I had been his mother.

I had only met a handful of parents in my day, and most of the mothers were happy as long as their sons were happy, but the fathers were different.

I could only assume it would be that much worse with Cruz’s father, especially when he was this rich.

He would for sure accuse me of going after his money, which I’d only really just found out about.

My breathing turned shaky as I thought of all the worst-case scenarios, and Cruz must have noticed because he lifted our intertwined hands and pressed a kiss to the back of mine as if to reassure me.

The parlor doors were open, and we stepped in right after Serena, finding his father sitting in one of the high-back leather chairs.

Once again, I was even more surprised by the intimidating man before me.

Seeing his father, it was obvious why Cruz had such a Hispanic name.

His father was obviously of Spanish descent, with his hair slicked back into a ponytail that rested at his neck.

He was stocky and filled out the suit he wore, muscles stretching against the expensive fabric as he set the glass down that he was drinking from and stood, reaching for Serena.

“Honey, this is Angelus’s girlfriend, Keyani.” She held her hand out in my direction, presenting me to him, and I smiled nervously under his intense stare. The man seemed to be looking through me, but he finally extended his hand and gave me a light shake.

“It’s, uh…nice to meet you, Keyani, I’m Juan,” he forced out, and my instincts told me that Serena was pinching him based on the hard smile on her face.

It was like she was worried he was going to say or do something that he shouldn’t.

Sort of like how I had to act with the twins whenever I was trying to make them behave or do some shit they didn’t want to.

A tense few seconds passed, and thankfully, a maid appeared in the doorway, announcing that dinner was served.

The dining room was just as impressive as everywhere else in the house and housed a table fit for a king, even though it was only the four of us.

The home training that Cruz had must’ve kicked in the second we arrived because he pulled out my chair for me like his father did for his mother.

Then again, considering that we had yet to go on an actual date, I wouldn’t know what type of etiquette he had.

The more I was around his parents, the more blaring red flags I was receiving, and it had me feeling even more anxious.

“So, Keyani, I understand that you’re a mother?” Serena said after they’d brought out the salads. The mention of the twins had me beaming, and I added a cool point to Cruz for having told them stuff about me.

“Yes, I have twins. A boy and a girl named Kani and Kari.” I stopped short of pulling my phone out to show her pictures of them since that wasn’t the type of vibe I was getting from her.

I was always proud to show off my babies, but something told me not to get my ass up and shove my phone in her face.

She shared a look with her husband and forced a tight-lipped smile.

“And is their father very active?”

“Ma, what you askin’ about their daddy for?” Cruz had his face screwed up. “That’s not important.”

She raised her brows, seeming stunned by his response.

“I think the status of her and her children’s father is very important.

This is the first woman you’ve brought home, so obviously it’s serious.

Shouldn’t we make sure she is just as serious as you are?

” Her voice turned high pitched and sugary sweet, letting me know that what she was saying was bullshit, and I immediately became uncomfortable.

Cruz noticed me wiggling in my seat and rested a firm hand on my thigh.

“We’re serious. That’s all you need to know. Stop trying to interrogate her and just ask her some normal shit, like about her hobbies or something.”

“Can we ask what she does for a living? Is that considered normal?” she shot back, and they had a silent stare down before his father’s fist came down hard on the table.

“This is ridiculous! I tell you that you need to find a wife, and you bring home a woman who’s not connected and has children! You’re already making bad decisions when it comes to the business, am I to just allow you to make bad personal decisions as well?”

“Juan!” Serena shrieked, looking appalled at his outburst, but it wasn’t like she hadn’t been on the same shit; she was just being a lot more sly about it.

At the very least, he was saying what was on both of their minds.

My stomach turned as they began arguing back and forth.

I clenched my jaw as the saliva in my mouth thinned, and I jumped from my seat.

“Babe, you okay?” Cruz grabbed my arm to stop me from leaving the table, and unable to stop myself, I threw up all over the floor. My eyes teared up as I heaved, feeling embarrassed and hot and grossed the fuck out.

“Essy! Oh my god!” I heard Serena yell, but I couldn’t stop the constant heaving that had me doubled over.

“Man, look what y’all did! You had her so fucking nervous she made herself sick!” Cruz huffed, rubbing my back. “This the shit I be talkin’ ’bout! How I’m s’posed to even want to bring anybody around here when y’all act like this!”

“Watch how you talk to us, Angelus!”

“God dammit, Essy, come clean this shit up. Ugh, I’m gonna be sick!” His mama wretched, and the next thing I heard were her heels clicking away.

“If y’all want people to treat y’all with respect, then you need to do the same!

Until then, I’m not gone fuck with you, and that goes for business as well.

Fuck the position. Let Julio have that shit!

” Cruz spat, leading me from the room while his father yelled after us.

He pulled me into a half bath that was right in the hall and sat me down on the toilet while he ran some water in the sink.

I kept my head down, sniffling as I listened to him rummage around before he came back with a fresh toothbrush and some toothpaste.

Finally feeling capable of lifting my head, I opened the toothbrush and frowned at the gel toothpaste.

I never liked that shit, but I wasn’t about to leave without brushing my teeth.

While I did so, Cruz snatched one of the decorative towels from a bar over the toilet and ran it under the water before placing it on the back of my neck.

The coolness instantly felt good, and I closed my eyes, still moving the toothbrush in my mouth.

“That feel better?” he asked when I had finished and was just relishing in the relief of the towel. He grabbed another and used this one to wipe my face, staring at me intently like he thought I was on my deathbed. His expression was so intense that I burst out laughing.

“Yo’ mama gone kick your ass for using her decorative towels.”

“Shiiit, that’s if she even notice. She rarely ever comes in this bathroom. Essy keeps it up and decorates it.” He shrugged. “Do you feel better though?”

I nodded, glad that the moment had passed because I hated throwing up. I was just glad that I hadn’t eaten much yet. Shit would have been way worse if I had thrown up a bunch of food on their dining room floor.

“Good, let’s get you back to the crib. Get something light for your stomach, and then you can get some Dr. Dick,” he said, making me crack up again as he helped me to my feet.

“How is dick gone help an upset stomach, Angelus ?” I couldn’t help throwing that out there, and he sucked his teeth.

“Don’t call me that, man.”

“Whhhhy, I think it’s a cute name.” I was being serious as hell. When I first heard his mama say it, I knew I was going to start calling him that. We were too old for nicknames, and I’d rather call him by the name on his birth certificate anyway.

“Nah, it’s an extra ass name and they petty for that shit,” he huffed, helping me into the passenger seat once again.

He handed me the towel he’d been wiping my face with and went around to the other side.

I couldn’t believe his ass had stolen the lady’s damn towels, but they were feeling too good for me to refuse to take them.

Letting the seat back, I placed it on my forehead and closed my eyes for a second, but was instantly out like a light.