Page 53 of What I Needed

“You think I didn’t see how you and Erissa looked at each other? She is your nanny, and I told you not to mess with her!”

I smacked my lips, trying to play it off.

“Ma, I didn’t do⁠—”

“If you lie to me, my hand will land on your lying ass lips next time.”

I held up my hands and took a step back.

“All right, Ma. I won’t lie. Some things happened, but it’s cool. Neither one of us is tripping.”

“You’d better not mess this up.”

“I won’t, Ma. I swear, we’re good.”

She looked at me with disdain, which really made me want to laugh, but if I did, she’d pop me again. I left her in her room to freshen up and went back downstairs, heading straight to the kitchen.

I grabbed Erissa’s waist from behind, pulling her against my body and kissing her neck.

“What are you trying to do to me, baby?”

She wiggled out of my grasp, turned around, and pushed me away.

“River, chill out.”

“How do you expect me to chill with you wearing this sexy-ass dress?”

She looked down as if she’d forgotten what she was wearing.

“This dress isn’t meant to be sexy. Why didn’t you tell me we were eating outside? I need to transfer the food into serving dishes. Do you want to use paper plates or⁠—”

“E, chill, baby. Take a deep breath,” I encouraged as I held her hands.

She closed her eyes and slowly inhaled and exhaled a few times. When she opened her eyes, I used my index finger to lift her chin, forcing her to look at me.

“You don’t need to be nervous.”

“I know, but I can’t help it.”

“I’ll be right here, okay? I gotchu.”

River kissed my lips, and I hated how quickly it calmed my nerves. It was much too soon for him to have that kind of effect on my mind and body. I couldn’t read too much into what had happened between us because it would only lead to me being hurt.

River was a ladies’ man, and I didn’t expect him to change just because we had sex a few times. For a man like him, with numerous women at his disposal, sex didn’t mean anything, and I wasn’t foolish enough to think I could change him.

After I prepared what needed to be taken to the patio to be served, he took it outside. When I was finally ready to join everyone, I took one last deep breath and headed to the patio.

Ms. Janis and Rylee were already fussing over Riverlynn. She took to them well, and I had no doubt she’d be spoiled rotten by the time they went back to Chicago in a few days.

River introduced me to Jaxon, and he politely spoke, but he was too focused on Shakira and barely looked in my direction. She clearly enjoyed the attention because she didn’t even take the time to find me when she arrived.

“Jaxon, it looks like you and my best friend have already met,” I said.

“We arrived at the same time, so we’re old friends now.”

“If you say so. Ms. Janis, Rylee, this is my best friend, Shakira.”

“River introduced us while you were in the kitchen,” Rylee said.