Page 13 of The One He Desires

“That ain’t legal, and I was going through something. I never cheated on you before then, so it doesn’t count. I want you back, though.”

A low, humorless chuckle escapes my mouth as ice freezes my blood, and I hope the daggers in my eyes cut this worthless ninja.

“For real, Journee. I got caught up, and I didn’t know that I⁠—”

“Liked more than my pussy?”

“Bad wud, Mommy,” I hear, and my eyes flutter closed momentarily as I wish Milan had continued her silence.

“Is that? Whoa—Damn, she’s beautiful.” BN gushes as he leans over the counter with his intrigued eyes on the product of our relationship.

I shove him hard in an attempt to cut off his view and my irritation with his awe of my daughter. BN doesn’t deserve to breathe Milan’s air let alone have a conversation with her.

“She’s mine. We’re dead to you, remember?”

BN smirks as he waves me off with stars in his eyes that I wish I had the ability to poke out with a candlestick. It pisses me off that he has the nerve to gush about my baby after his jailhouse declaration. I don’t know what made him think he could come here, but I’m about to help him find his brain.

“She’s ours. A letter doesn’t make that shit real, and I’m not giving up my rights. What’s her name? You need to stop this shit because I’m here now.”

I bite my bottom lip until it feels like my teeth are gonna go through the other side as I mentally count to ten. While I didn’t know the ramifications of BN’s freedom for Milan and me, this isn’t what I expected. I also didn’t expect him to show up at my boutique like this. I moved out of the place we once shared together and just knew it would have me in the clear. I’m not sure what karma I’m getting, but clearly I need to ask God for forgiveness because this can’t be my life.

“You have a lot of nerve coming here and pretending like everything you’ve said is water under the bridge.”

My blood boils as I stare at the man I once had feelings for. The person responsible for the tiny human who makes my life matter. BN’s pop-up makes my ass itch because it causes old wounds to scab open.

“Doesn’t matter. Nobody, including your stubbornness, is getting in the way of me and this.” BN points from him to the area where Milan is.

Milan is standing beside me with her little hands tightly wrapped around my leg. She hasn’t said a word since the three that led BN to take note of her presence. It’s interesting because she’s acting shy with BN, with whom she has blood ties, but she’s been receptive to Sincere.

Hm. That’s because Sincere is fine and looks like a snack.

Girl. This is Milan’s reaction, not yours.

I shake off the thoughts in my mind as I return to my desire to move this man along and out of my comfort zone.

“Well, this was—yeah. I need to close, so you need to be on your way.”

“Dismissing me won’t make me go away since I now know about her.”

My lip curls and my eyes pinch together as my hand rests on my waist.

“I don’t give a fuck what you know. You have no claims to her or me. Why don’t you crawl back in the hole you weaseled your way out of?”

“Hm. That’s cute. Here’s my number. Either you call me so we can discuss this further, or I’ll be back.” BN places a folded piece of paper on the counter and then turns to make his exit.

With Milan still hugging my leg, I move to the front door and lock it before I stand still as my heart beats like an African drum. I don’t know why BN thinks he deserves a conversation or space in my life to discuss this further. But tonight, I’m gonna pray that he’ll fall under the rock he crawled out of so Milan and I can continue to live our lives in peace. My stomach tightens as I lean down to disconnect Milan and pick her up as my stomach sours. Something tells me I haven’t seen the last of BN, and it makes my limbs shaky as I move toward my office for a moment of reprieve. My mind spins as I internally try to settle my nerves.

My mind has been in overdrive since BN left, and thankfully, nobody has come into the store. I’m not sure that I have the mental capacity to deal with anyone right now. Milan must sense my frayed mind because she’s returned to her seat and back to happily watching her device. I’m so wrapped up in my thoughts that I almost miss the doorbell chimes until I hear heavy footsteps on the floor that force me to look up. I should be excited to see Sincere, but after dealing with BN, all I can do is stare at his approach. Sincere’s brows hike in question, but I’m too shaken to force a smile or calm demeanor.

“I wasn’t going to stop by, but something sent me by here anyway. Based on the look on your face, it looks like I’m right on time. What’s bothering you? Is Sweet Face okay?”

I sigh heavily as I debate whether to share what happened with BN. Sincere and I are somewhat strangers, but something in his eyes calms me and makes me believe I can talk to him.

“It’s not Milan. She’s actually sitting behind me, watching one of her programs. Don’t come too close or she’ll interrupt your desire to know what’s going on.”

Sincere smiles, giving me a devastating mood-shifting expression as he stops a couple of inches away from the counter. His knowing that Milan is affected by his presence is acknowledged in his actions. It would be cute if I weren’t battling with other thoughts.

“Okay. So tell me what’s got your pretty face balled up and your eyes tight with fury.”