“Girl, come get they bad ass. Miss me with that other shit.”
“Bye, sis.”
“Bye.”
Cali finished the call, grabbed her purse and Stanley cup, before getting out her car. Despite her morning rendezvous with Braye, she did work a shift at the tech building. As a freelance software engineer, Cali chose her schedule and often traveled to different sites. Walking into the house, the aroma of food settled in her nose. Her stomach grumbled as she walked down the hall and noticed Rio standing over the stove. A gangsta who could cook had become Cali’s weakness since she wasn’t well versed in the kitchen.
“What’s up, baby?” he greeted her, plating rice.
“Hey.” Cali kissed his cheek, relieved that he was in a decent mood. “What you cook?”
“Chicken and rice.”
“Oooh, my favorite.”
“Go sit down, and I’ll bring your plate to you.”
Cali walked over to the sink and washed her hands. Afterward, she took a seat at the table while Rio brought a plate over to her. Opting to wait on him to join her, she didn’t dig in right away. Rio sat across from her as she took in his arms that were littered with artwork. He was a dream with wicks that werealways pulled out of his face. His eyes were brown and sparkled like stars in the sky. Those lips of his were the highlight of his face and were encased by a neat mustache and chin hair.
“Sooo…” she drawled. “What’s so urgent that I needed to come straight home so we can talk?”
His eyes focused on her, provoking her stomach to feel hollow.
After all this time being married to him, he still makes me nervous…
“Say grace,” he ordered.
Releasing a discreet sigh, Cali bowed her head and stated, "We thank you, Lord, for the food we are about to receive and for all your many blessings. Amen.”
“Amen.”
Rio began eating, leaving her in an agonizing anticipation. Cali decided to join, hoping whatever he wanted to converse about wouldn’t ruin her night.
“I’m ready for a baby, Cali,” he announced between chews.
Hearing that wasn’t necessarily exciting for her, but it was better than him confronting her about the affair with Braye.
“When did this come about?”
“It’s been for a while. I know you wanted to wait but we’ve been married for five years. I think we should get this shit done now.”
“Shit done?” she repeated with disgust evident in her tone. “You say it like we’re taking a walk to the grocery store. A baby is a big deal.”
Rio looked her in the eye. “I’m aware of that. I didn’t mean to downplay it. Forgive me.”
Nodding slightly, she told him, “Do you think this is the right time though?”
“Why wouldn’t it be?”
“Because, Rio, your lifestyle doesn’t necessarily scream family man. You’re involved in all kinds of risky business. Not to mention, you’re a lieutenant in one of the most dangerous gangs in the city. How are you going to make time for a child when you barely have time for me?”
Rio’s lifestyle left Cali with a lot of time to play. He was always consumed with the business or running the streets with The Legacy Mafia members. Some nights he made it home and others, he was absent. Cali didn’t complain much since it left her with time to be with Braye, but she couldn’t imagine having a child in the mix.
“Look, I know all of that. That’s why I’ve been thinking about it. I’m willing to step back though. I already talked to Noble about it, and he’s cool with it.”
Her lips twisted in doubt. “Noble’s okay with it?”
Rio’s brows furrowed in confusion. “Yeah, why you say it like that?”
