“Q!” A beautiful Black woman who could pass for Angela Bassett’s twin comes running into the room and wraps him in her arms. “You’re early. I don’t even have the appetizers ready yet.”

“You know I’m always early, Mom,” he says. “You and Dad drilled it into me.”

“I know that’s right.” Her warm laughter fills the room so much that it unthaws my feet that have been frozen to the carpet beneath them. She turns her head and when she sees me, her mouth falls open for a second and then Quinton’s smile appears on her wrinkle-free face. “You must be Elliot!” She forgets about Quinton and wraps me up in a hug much like the one she gave him. She pulls away, leaving her hands on my shoulders as she looks me over. It’s hard not to shrink under her intense gaze. I swear she is looking into my soul right now. “I’m so glad he brought you. I’ve heard so much about you. It’s nice to put a face to the woman who has made such a change in my son.”

“Hi.” I struggle to find my voice after the shock of seeing Angela and then meeting his mom wears off. “It’s so nice to meet you, Mrs. Howard.”

She glares at Quinton, and I’m so glad I’m not him, before looking back to me with that gorgeous smile of hers. “Please, call me Monica.”

“And you can call me Elle.” I feel my smile widen since I’m pretty sure I’m not meeting his secret love child. I’m still not sure why Angela is here, but as long as she didn’t birth his offspring, I think I can handle anything.

“Alright, Mom.” Quinton puts his arm around my waist and his fingers squeeze into my hips. I flush with the reminder of our night together. “Give her some space.”

“Please.” She brushes him off in a way only a mother can before pulling me out of his grip. “You knew this was going to happen. You’ve never brought anyone to meet me before. It’s about time I had someone on my team when it comes to you and your father.”

At the mention of his dad, his eyes soften and he looks at Angela. “How’s he doing today?”

The smile falls from Angela’s normally sunny face. “Not great.”

Monica clears her throat and changes the subject. “Anyway, where are my manners? Can I get you something to drink? Q told me to grab Diet Coke, so we have some of that if you want.”

I glance at Quinton and I swear, under that thick beard and beautiful skin, he’s blushing.

Oh yeah, Diet Coke is definitely my love language.