He held his hands up in defense. “I’m not. I just wanted to say, I’m happy for you, Peanut. You deserve to be happy. I’m understanding that not all love involves career-driven goals. You know, I was never a believer in love. But witnessing this, I get the hype.”
He looked at Jabari.
“My bad if I came off a little stern. It’s just that the three of us are all we’ve got. I just want to make sure that whatever we add is worth adding.”
“I feel that,” Jabari agreed.
“I’m proud of you, sis, shit, both of y’all. Keep doing what y’all doing. Promise?”
I smiled at him. “I promise.”
I was relieved that Gio was accepting of Jabari. That meant I didn’t have to hear him constantly complaining or judging me for being with him. Tonight actually turned out better than I expected.
Danita sucked her teeth. “I ain’t even finna lie to ya. I might, and I might not.”
Jabari and I burst out laughing as Gio placed her in a playful headlock.
It wasthe Sunday before the work week, and I was trying my best to go home, but Jabari wouldn’t let me out of his embrace. We had spent the late hours and early mornings pleasing each other from head to toe. Jabari worked my body in so many ways that I felt I had done a full workout for twenty-four hours straight. I finally escaped from his bed in the middle of the night and went to the living room sectional, but Jabari ended up following me out there. Now, here we were debating the fact that he wanted me to go home and pack a week’s worth of clothes, because he wanted to make sure he saw me at least once a day. The opening of the restaurant was weeks away, and things were getting crucial for him.
“Please spend the next few weeks with me. I need you here,” he whined and kissed my shoulder.
“No, baby. As much as I would love to, I still have work shit to do. I’m actually considering pursuing a charge nurse position. It’s time for me to embark on a new journey.”
“Oh, not my baby feeling adventurous. Amina, the prettiest, sexiest, smartest charge nurse on the planet. Yeah, that’ll do it.”
I laughed loudly at Jabari’s corny attempt at encouraging me.
“Plus, you need to focus on the restaurant. It’s a big day for you. I’m excited to see you cut the ribbon. I’ve never been to a ribbon-cutting ceremony before.”
“Yeah, I’m excited too. I actually wanted to talk to you about that day.”
I raised my brow. “What’s up?”
“I would like you to be standing up there with us. And before you list the reasons you shouldn’t be, just know that the main reason you should be is that I want you to be. It would be nice to look back on pictures and see you by my side for that day.”
I couldn’t believe Jabari wanted me to be on the front line with him during the ribbon-cutting. It was exciting to know that it was something he wanted from me. He showed me every day how seriously he took our relationship, and I couldn’t help but fall more and more in love with him.
“No pressure. Just think about it. If you decide to join us, we are wearing pink and white.”
“Alright, I’ll let you know.”
Jabari was preparing to say something when his phone rang. He rolled his eyes but still answered.
“What, Kya?”
I couldn’t hear what she was saying on the other end of the line, but whatever it was, it annoyed Jabari. He said nothing before he hung up the phone. He got up from the chair and walked to the front door. He opened it, and Kya stood on theother side of the door. Jabari stepped to the side and let her in. I was thankful I had on a pair of his shorts and a hoodie as she waltzed in wearing kitten heels, wide-leg jeans, and a tank top. She had on a bit of makeup and a dark red lip.
She stood in the middle of the living room before Jabari offered her a seat.
“I’ll go in the back,” I stated, standing, but Jabari pulled me down.
“Nah, stay.”
“Damn, you must really love her if you want her sitting in on family shit,” Kya sassed, mugging me.
“Kya, what is it you want?”
“I want my fucking child. Your time is up.”
