Page 29 of Steel

“I guess the three of us are going for pizza,” I said.

Without another word, I turned on my heels and walked back into the house. Dinah was watching from the window as I came through the door.

“That looked intense. I almost came out there, ’cause if he’d gotten any more in your face, I had something for his ass.”

“I don’t know how I’m gonna do this, Dinah. He’s so mad that I barely got a word out. I can’t go years like this. You know that man told me to let you be the middleman so he doesn’t have to deal with me? He hates me, and I get that, but I’m not going for that shit. Nayelli is my child, and I’m going to be involved.”

She sighed as she watched Kerrion and Nayelli. “Let’s just hope things can be civil moving forward.”

“He wants to take her for pizza.”

“So?”

“So, we’reallgoing for pizza.”

“Um, was an invite extended?”

“I don’t need an invite to be anywhere my child is. Go put on your shoes ’cause you’re coming.”

She pursed her lips, a sign that she was refraining from saying something. Without another word, she left the kitchen as Kerrion and Nayelli came inside. She stuck to his side, grinning up at him with the biggest smile. I knew she’d be in love in no time. She’d asked me about her father so many times, and the only thing I could give her was he wasn’t a part of our lives.

A huge part of me feared that she would hate me for keeping him from her. I couldn’t deal with that, even if I deserved it.

I walked behind them to the front door. Dinah was coming down the stairs with her purse, causing Nayelli to look back.

“You’re coming?” she asked, looking between the two of us as I grabbed my purse.

“Of course,” I said. “We’re hungry too.”

She looked up at her father. “Is that okay, Mr. K?”

He glanced at us before nodding. “It’s fine. You can ride with me.”

In not so many words, that meant I was driving myself.

“Mr. K, do I have to call you daddy now?”

Kerrion cupped her chin. “I would love for you to call me daddy, but only when you’re ready. Mr. K is fine for now. We have a lot to learn about each other, baby. It’s no rush.”

“Okay.”

He kissed her forehead and grabbed her hand before opening the front door. I bit my lip as he almost let it close in my face. Taking a deep breath, I followed them out. Dinah and I climbed into my car and waited for him to back out. This was going to be an experience.

We madeit to Pixels and Pizza about fifteen minutes later. It was a pizza parlor with an arcade inside, something like a Dave & Buster’s.

Kerrion made sure that Dinah and I weren’t welcomed at this impromptu dinner.

It started with the seating. He intentionally picked a bar top table that was only big enough for two people. Dinah and I were forced to sit a few tables away. I swallowed my pride and just let it happen. Nayelli wasn’t thinking about me. We’d ordered our pizza and drinks before settling in. I couldn’t take my eyes off Kerrion and Nayelli. The longer I stared at them, the more they started to favor each other.

“Stop torturing yourself, Neha,” Dinah said.

“I can’t.”

“Just let them have their moment. Honestly, I’m glad he’s willing to jump right in so quick.”

“Well, he’s never half assed anything.”

“He’s really good with kids, though. The little ones in his class are crazy about him. They can’t wait to tell him about their day, and he listens so attentively. It’s adorable. I really think he’ll be a good dad.”