Page 91 of My Heart Belongs to You

“It was cool to kick it with y’all. I hadn’t played pool in a minute.”

After leaving Robyn’s friends and family night, I met up with him and his friends at 8Ball. We played a few games of pool, drank a couple pitchers of beer, and talked shit. It was a chill but fun night overall.

“I ain’t know you played pool, man. It was nice having worthy competition.”

I laughed. “Sunny told me you’ve never beat her.”

“Come on, I let her win. I like hearing her talking shit.” He smiled.

“Lies!” Summer yelled as she entered the room. “He literally cannot beat me at pool.”

“Wait until baby boy gets here...I’ll show you.”

Summer smirked while walking toward Ryder. “What are you gonna show me?”

Before they went any further, Shiloh said, “Y’all can finish all that after we leave.”

“Please,” I added.

I began unwrapping the bookshelf while Summer and Ryder watched with heady anticipation.

“Growing up, we read a lot of books, and I know how much those library trips meant to you. I hit up Marq to help me build a quality bookshelf for baby boy. And we’ve got him some books to start. When he’s old enough, I'll take him to the library too.”

Summer gasped once I removed the furniture pad. She ran her hand along the top of the shelf. I went on to share the details of the bookcase and showed the hooks on the back to anchor it to the wall. Shiloh opened the box of books we’d purchased to fill the first shelf. In lieu of cards, we asked baby shower guests to bring a book.

“This is so thoughtful.” Summer’s nose reddened and her eyes watered.

Ryder nodded, still taking in the bookshelf. “Seriously. Thanks, fam.”

He hugged Shiloh and bumped fists with me. I hugged Summer and teased her for being a crybaby.

“You know I’m a ball of emotions.” She slid her hands down her cheeks while laughing. Ryder kissed her forehead.

“Tomorrow is going to be so much fun,” Shiloh said while wiping her eyes.

“Since you’re here, you can see my dress.” Summer pulled her toward their bedroom.

The subject change gave me an out. Ryder saw me out and thanked me once more at the door. I checked my phone just as I reached my car. A smile covered my face when I saw Robyn had finally answered.

ROBYN:

As soon as you’re free...

NADIR:

OMW.

“Am I interrupting something?” I wondered as I moved through the dining room. The tables had been rearranged into one long rectangle in the middle. Carmen and others set the tables with dishes and silverware. I looked up and caught Carmen staring at me amusedly.

“Family dinner. Well, technically lunch,” she explained, then laughed.

I nodded. “Ah. Who's cooking?”

Carmen shot me a look. “Who else?”

With that, I continued to the kitchen where I spotted Robyn and Adrienne stirring two large pots of rice. Adrienne saw me first and smiled. Robyn turned, her eyes lighting up when she saw me. After turning off the fire and removing the pot from its eye, she took off her apron.

“Hi, my darling.” She melted into me. Burying my face into her neck, I groaned. I craved her in the worst way. “Come on.” She took me by the hand and walked us to her office.