“You’re quite possibly the meanest sugar mama around.” I pushed my door open and hurried to the back of the car. “Don’t you dream of grabbing those bags, Milton. I’ve got them.”
He opened Lulu’s door and was laughing about my comment as I lifted our suitcases out of the trunk.
“It’s my job,” the older man said, reaching for the handles.
“I’m trying to impress my girl.” My voice was all tease.
“All right. I’ll never stand in the way of love. Are you sure you want to bring those in?” he asked.
“Yes. We’ve got it,” Lulu said, moving beside me.
“All right. I’ll be back to see if you need to go anywhere later. I’ve got to go run an errand for your grandfather.”
Lulu gave him a quick hug, and I extended my hand. “Great to meet you, Milton.”
“You, too.” He turned to the woman standing beside me. “I think this one’s a keeper. I’ve never said that before.”
Lulu forced a smile and leaned her head on my shoulder. “I couldn’t agree more.”
We waved goodbye as he pulled back down the driveway and made our way up the steps to the oversized double doors.
“That is one smart dude.”
“Yeah, well, don’t get cocky. He’s going to be the easiest one to win over, outside of Gramps and my mother.” She quirked a brow.
“But he knows good people. That’s all I care about.”
“Focus, Rafael. It’s game time.”
She pushed through the front door, and a gentleman greeted us.
Another man wearing a suit, although this one was in his mid-fifties, so a bit younger than Milton.
Either way, these people were clearly very formal.
“If it isn’t my favorite lady.” He kept his voice low as Lulu jumped into his arms. Obviously, the staff loved her. It was her family she seemed concerned about.
“Cam! I’ve missed you.” She hugged him and then pulled back. “This is my boyfriend, Rafe Chadwick.”
“A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Chadwick.” He extended a hand and chuckled. “You’ve got your hands full with this one.”
“And that’s why I’m your favorite,” Lulu smirked.
“You’re not wrong about that.” He took our coats and told us he’d have someone bring our luggage to our room.
Were there more staff working here? It was a home, not a hotel.
“Give me the quick lowdown. What’s happening?” Lulu whispered to Cam.
“Well, Charlotte is in a mood because your grandfather has been anticipating your arrival all day. Your mom is in a session with Francois, and the rest of the family seems to be downing the Bloody Marys this morning.”
“That means they’re on their way to three shades of liquored up,” she whispered to me. “Okay, we’re going in.”
She slipped her hand into mine and glanced up at me. “Let’s do this, lover boy.”
eight
. . .
