Real As It Gets by Reshonda Tate Billingsley Page B

come on ...” I opened his car door, but he kept walking.
    â€œI don’t believe this,” I muttered as I turned and followed him.
    Just as he reached the front door, it swung open and my dad was standing there with my mom right behind him.
    Sammy didn’t seem intimidated as he reached his hand out to shake my dad’s. “Mr. Morgan?”
    My dad eyed him hesitantly, then shook his hand. “Yes, that’s me. And you would be?”
    â€œI’m Sammy, Maya’s friend.” He smiled back at me, then turned to my mom. “And Mrs. Morgan, it’s such a pleasure. You’re even more beautiful than Maya said you were.”
    Okay, this boy was laying it on thick. Even though my mom was pretty, I had never even mentioned her to him.
    My mom smiled, shaking his hand. “Why thank you, young man.”
    â€œWe were just coming out here because my daughter was being quite rude leaving the house and not telling us anything about you.”
    Sammy nodded like he understood. “I’m sure she’s just anxious because we’re going to an exclusive event tonight, but I would never disrespect you or your home by just swinging through to pick up your daughter.”
    I rolled my eyes. But both my parents smiled proudly. Okay, so maybe Sammy knew what he was doing after all.
    â€œNow, that’s what I’m talking about,” my dad said. “I didn’t know you young fellas today still got that.”
    â€œDon’t know about other young fellas”—Sammy grinned—”but I was raised better. A young man never pulls up and honks for a young lady.”
    â€œI think I like you.” My mother laughed. “Do you want to come inside for a minute? Our maid makes some wonderful tea cakes.”
    That was my cue. I scurried to his side. “No, he doesn’t want to come in. We need to get going.”
    â€œMaya, don’t be rude,” my mom said.
    â€œMommmmm,” I protested. “Tea cakes? Seriously?”
    â€œMaya’s right. We need to get going. But, it was nice to meet you,” Sammy said.
    â€œYou, too,” my dad replied. “It’s great to see such a well-mannered young man. Come around anytime. Maybe my daughter can learn a thing or two from you.”
    â€œBye,” I said, waving over my shoulder as I pulled Sammy toward the car.
    â€œReally?” I said, once we were in the car.
    Sammy flashed a sly grin. “I told you if you want to win, you gotta know how to play the game.”
    I couldn’t help but smile back. Sammy had definitely played my parents well. He probably could spend the night and they’d be just fine. Okay, maybe that was a bit much, but I could tell they definitely were feeling him.
    I snuggled close to him. I know it was just our second date, but I felt like I’d known him forever. “So, are you gonna tell me how you managed to get these tickets.”
    â€œI told you, you’re not the only one connected,” he replied. “I just want you to have a good time. That’s all you need to be worried about.”
    â€œI definitely could get used to this.” I didn’t know how Sammy was so well connected, and I dang sure didn’t know how my cousin knew somebody like him, but whatever. I was feeling Sammy and was even willing to sit back and let someone else be the star—for at least a minute.

Chapter 11
    W as it possible to fall in love in a week? Okay, I may not have been in love, but I was definitely deep in like with Sammy Martin. This guy was all that and more.
    Sammy was a record producer, a behind-the-scenes guy who didn’t like to flaunt his success. I didn’t know how well he was doing, but obviously with the way he was balling, he was pretty successful. He’d played some of his demos for me, and he was actually pretty good on putting together sounds.
    In the past week, he’d wined me and dined me. Every time he