Page 17 of The Way Love Heals

When Brittish made her way over to me and stood at my head, I licked my lips at her breasts being in my perfect view.

“Do your nipples stay hard, or is that just around me?”

“Nyle. I will make you leave if you keep messing with me,” Brittish fussed.

I held my palms up. “My bad. I’ll stop.”

“Now, close your eyes.”

I did as she asked and felt something wet on my face. I didn’t question it, because when she started rubbing it in, it felt heavenly. Whatever she was doing would easily put me to sleep.

“Are you allergic to anything?”

“Nah. What about you?”

“I asked so I know what I can and can’t put on your face.”

My eyes opened to peer up at her. “And I asked because I want to know more about you, so answer my question.”

“Strawberries. I’m allergic to the one fruit I absolutely love and can’t have.”

“Dang. How did you figure out?”

“It’s actually something that developed when I got older. I used to eat them always, then one day, my ex got me some chocolate covered ones, and I thought I was about to meet God from the way my throat closed up. I assumed it was from the type of chocolate used, but when I ate strawberries by themselves, the same thing happened.” She started pouting. “I’m still mad about it.”

“That’s crazy. Our bodies can do some wild things.”

“Tell me about it. It makes me cautious of what I give AJ, but he loves to eat everything. So far, no allergic reactions to anything. Now, close your eyes again.”

“So demanding,” I joked but obliged.

Her fingers detangled my beard before she started massaging it, going up and down my neck as well. I groaned from how good it felt. Brittish had me ready to add her services to my self-care days. I’d never received a facial, and she was changing my life with it.

Slowly, her hands went to my head, and she quizzed, “Do you mind?”

“Go ahead.”

My hair fell out of the bun I had it in, and Brittish ran her hands through it.

“You have beautiful hair, Nyle. Who did you inherit it from?”

“Renee.”

“Who is she?”

I swallowed. “The woman who gave birth to me.”

“Oh . . . Well, it’s gorgeous. I could play in it all day. I noticed your brother’s hair was the same. Do you have any other siblings?”

“Yeah, an older sister. Her hair is like ours too. She’s the one who takes care of it because Naheem and I don’t know what the hell we’re doing. It’s one reason I either keep it in a bun or just leave it down.”

“I’m jealous. So, are you a middle child?”

“I am. What about you? Do you have any siblings?”

“Two brothers who act like they’re my father. I’m the middle child too. My younger brother was a surprise to us all, but we wouldn’t trade him for anything in the world.”

I could hear the smile in her voice as she talked about them. Sibling bonds were everything, so I understood. Brielle and Naheem were all I had outside of Nannie. They were the two people I could rely on for anything, the two people who would set the world on fire behind me.