Novels by Kanyinsola

By the evening, their modest flat had taken on the appearance of a staging station for a family reunion. Max's parents had arrived from San Francisco, bringing with them the special energy that comes from loving, well-meaning individuals who have strong beliefs about how significant events should be handled. Grace's father had driven down from Sacramento, carrying both wedding congratulations and legal documents pertaining to his continuing federal inquiry.Mrs. Liv from next door brought a homemade apple pie and what she described as "advice for newlyweds based on sixty years of marriage," while Matt Jackson arrived with a bottle of champagne and stories about Max's college years that made everyone laugh and made Max visibly uneasy."I can't believe you're getting married in a courthouse," Max's mother commented for the third time, arranging flowers Lyla had gathered during her afternoon of wedding preparation. "When Lyla got married, we had such a beautiful ceremony at the botanical

They had precisely four days to get ready for the most straightforward wedding either of them had ever organised, as the courthouse wedding was set for Thursday morning at ten-thirty. On Wednesday morning, Grace awoke to the sound of a persistent knock on their flat door. Max's voice came from the kitchen, expressing uncertainty over who could be paying them a visit at seven in the morning.With a tone that suggested he was already mentally listing possible emergency situations, he yelled, "Grace, are you expecting anyone?"She retorted, "No," putting on a robe and stumbling to the front door. She saw a familiar figure through the peephole, carrying what looked like a small luggage and numerous food bags.She told Max, "It's Lyla," and he instantly displayed a mixture of delight and worry.Lyla, Grace's elder sister, had a knack for showing up at the exact times when her presence would provide the most nuance. She was prosperous, well-meaning, and utterly unable to comprehend why othe

Max found her that evening sitting on their bedroom floor, surrounded by wedding magazines that appeared to have erupted across the carpet. Glossy pages with beautiful centrepieces and luxury costumes formed a jumble of white, ivory, and pastel colours that appeared to mock her rising sensation of overwhelm."How many different flowers exist in the world?" she enquired, her gaze fixed on a magazine spread depicting seventeen various bouquet alternatives."Too many, apparently," Max explained, carefully stepping past the magazines to sit alongside her on the floor."Elena says we need to secure a location immediately because the best ones are booked a year in advance, but I'm not sure what kind of wedding we want. Bigger or smaller? Traditional or modern? Spring or autumn? Church, garden, or hotel ballroom? Don't get me started on the catering possibilities."Max pushed a few magazines aside to make room, then sat cross-legged facing her. "What do you want?""I want to marry you withou

Three weeks later, Grace sat across from Agent Santos in the same impersonal coffee shop, but their talk felt different. She requested for the meeting and wrote down questions that needed to be answered before she could start."Thank you for coming to see me again," she told me.Santos stirred his black coffee while scrutinising her face. "You look different. "More settled.""I've made some decisions about my father's book and your investigation.""And?""I won't testify against you if this goes to trial. But I am not going to defend your ways."Santos nodded slowly. "That seems fair.""I need to comprehend something, however. Did you ever think we may fall in love while you were keeping an eye on us? Not only a trauma bond, but true concern for one another?"Honestly? No. "I expected the relationship to end once the immediate danger had passed.""But it didn't.""No, it did not. This shows I was mistaken about the nature of your connection."Grace experienced a strange sense of vindi

Elena answered on the second ring, her voice filled with the special enthusiasm she gave to evening phone calls. "Please tell me you're calling with good news because I've had the day from hell and need to hear about someone's functional life.""What happened?""David and I have broken up. Again. I believe it is genuine this time. But never mind that…….I heard you had lunch with your father. "How did it go?"Grace reclined on the couch with her phone, Max retiring into the kitchen to allow her solitude during the talk. "It was complicated." He could go to federal prison.""What? Why?"Grace explained the situation based on her father's book, classified information, Santos' techniques, and the FBI inquiry. Elena listened with the same focused attention she brought to crisis management, asking clarifying questions and making appropriate indignant noises as needed."So, let me get this straight," Elena stated after Grace concluded. "Your father wrote a book exposing questionable FBI prac

Grace entered the kitchen, where Max was waiting. His demeanour was deliberately neutral, as if he had been practicing this moment ever since she left. She could see he had set the table with their nice plates, the ones they typically saved for rare occasions, and the flat smelt of herbs and garlic.He remained standing at the stove and enquired, "How did it go?"Grace placed the mail and her purse on the counter, giving herself a moment to think of a way to describe a discussion that had completely changed the way she saw the world. "It was complicated.""Good complicated or bad complicated?""Both. Not at all. Mason turned off the hob and faced her directly. "Do you wish to talk about it now or after dinner?""Now, I think. Before I lose my nerve.They sat at their modest dining table, the perfectly prepared food getting cold between them as Grace struggled to express what she had learnt. She told him about her father's reasons for authoring the book, his fears about Santos' techni