Chi-Chi maintained her reticence. “I am having dinner with a friend. His sister is away for the weekend.” She wasn’t sure why she had thrown that into the conversation. Maybe because she didn’t want her brother to think it was a date date. Just as she wasn’t sure if it was a real date, but it felt like it might be. Even though her family accepted the idea that Chi-Chi might not marry a Nigerian, they were far more concerned that she might never marry at all. Single women over the age of twenty-six were considered “thornbacks,” while women aged twenty-three to twenty-six were “spinsters.” But nowadays, it’s not unusual for a woman to marry well into her thirties. Chi-Chi must have explained that to her parents ad nauseam.

“But you are almost halfway to forty,” her mother reminded her at every opportunity.

“Is it that Cullen fellow? His sister is Luna?” Abeo hadn’t met them before, but Chi-Chi had spoken about them numerous times. Her parents had met them at the grand opening almost a year ago while Abeo was in Nigeria doing business for his father.

Chi-Chi was taken aback. “Yes, if you must know.”

“I didn’t mean anything by that, dear sister, but you speak of them often. I am sorry I will not be able to meet your friend.”

Chi-Chi was hoping he wouldn’t meet either of them, at least not anytime soon.

“It is nice you can keep someone’s brother company but will not keep your own brother company?”

Chi-Chi wasn’t sure how to answer that. “Abeo, I made these plans weeks ago. You were not supposed to arrive until Monday. You cannot expect me to be rude and cancel my plans simply because you changed yours.”

Abeo was surprised at his sister’s straightforwardness and logic. “You are right. I apologize for making things inconvenient.”

“Do not be cynical with me.” Chi-Chi was hoping the conversation wouldn’t take a bad turn. She didn’t want to ruin her attitude about her dinner plans.

Abeo looked crestfallen. “I am not being sarcastic. Most sincerely. I forget that you have a life and a business. I keep thinking you are still my baby sister.”

Chi-Chi wrapped her arms around him, then looked him straight in the eye. “I love you. I love Mommy and Daddy. And I also love my life here.”

Abeo’s eyes got misty. “I am very proud of you. Again, I apologize for being an interloper.”

“You are not an interloper, but you are also not getting an invitation for dinner tonight.” She gave him another hug.

He grinned at her. “I suppose my usual guilt trips will not work on you any longer?”