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“Can I help?” he asked standing, hoping that would speed the process up.
She’d convinced him to wear matching pajamas for their night in and she wanted to create a backdrop for them to take a few pictures in front of before they went upstairs. It didn’t help that she wouldn’t allow him to drink her famous homemade hot chocolate or eat any of the cookies or popcorn until she was done.
“I’m just about done. I just need to let this glitter set for a little while longer so it won’t fall when you pick it up, then you can put it on the wall by the front door.”
“Okay,” he agreed, feeling his lips form a pout though he couldn’t see it.
Nobu’s laughter confirmed it as she told him, “Come here, big baby.” Hendrix made his way over to her, arms crossed over his chest. She stood on the tips of her toes and gave him several pecks on the lips until his body relaxed and he kissed her back. “Will you feel better if I let you eat a coo—”
“Yes,” he agreed, not bothering to wait for her to finish before he grabbed one of the peanut butter cookies off the island. Every week she made a different kind. First, it was chocolate chip, then, it was sugar. Next week, she was going to do butter, and he couldn’t wait for those.
Nobu laughed as she wiped the crumbs that fell onto his chin before running her hand down his bald head.
“You are so sexy, baby. I love looking at you.”
“Don’t tell me that. I’ll toss all this shit on the floor and have my way with you.”
“I know you will, so go back over there until I get done. Two minutes, tops.”
Hendrix agreed and went back to the couch, slumping down a little further. Nobu’s two minutes was really like twenty, so he decided to shut his eyes and have a quick nap after he finished the cookie while he waited.
ChapterSeven
Nobu
Mila stared at Nobu, waiting for her to respond. The question seemed simple enough, but Nobu didn’t have an answer. She’d just finished telling her mother about how she and Hendrix had gone to L.O.V.E. to hear Joe perform live. The day had started out great. They went to get mani-pedi’s and he treated her to a spa day before they parted ways. When Hendrix returned home, they went to the lounge and had an amazing time singing to each other and dancing… until they parted ways briefly and a woman tried to talk to Hendrix while he was at the bar.
She’d never been insecure when it came to Hendrix but watching a woman flirt with him irritated the hell out of her. The only difference was that they weren’t married or even in a committed relationship. Nobu had no claim to him, so technically, Hendrix could do whatever with whoever. Of course, he declined the woman’s advances and made it clear that he only wanted his wife, but it still bothered Nobu.
“Why did it bother you so much, NoNo?” Mila repeated, watching as Nobu took a sip of her lemonade. They’d met at Stoney River Steakhouse for lunch, though Nobu didn’t have much of an appetite. If anything, she probably wouldn’t feel better until she worked this out mentally then went for a run.
“I guess I was so upset because I felt possessive of him, and I couldn’t talk to him about it because I knew he would simply tell me I had nothing to worry about.”
“Then why are you worried?”
“Because we’re not together but we’re acting like we are.” Though she hadn’t told her mother they were having unprotected sex, the pair was doing everything they used to do while they were married. If Hendrix randomly decided he no longer wanted to invest in rebuilding their relationship, Nobu would be crushed. “He keeps telling me he’s invested and that he will show me with time, but I don’t know. Last night was the first night I didn’t feel secure with Hendrix because we aren’t in a committed relationship.”
“Whose doing is that?” Mila asked with a knowing smile. “Hendrix has already asked us for your hand in marriage again, so I know it’s not him.”
“Well if you know, why are you asking?” Nobu grumbled under her breath, making Mila chuckle.
“Because I want to hear your stubborn behind say it. Acknowledge how you feel. What you want.”
“I’m scared,” she stressed quietly. “I…” Nobu snapped her mouth shut. “I’m still in love with my ex-husband, Ma, and if we don’t work this time… I don’t think I’ll be able to take it.”
Nobu hadn’t meant for her eyes to water, but they did. Her chin trembled, and Mila immediately stood and walked over to her side of the booth.
“Baby,” she called softly, wrapping her arm around Nobu’s shoulders. Nobu quickly dabbed her eyes as Mila asked, “What did Jesus tell His disciples after He walked on water?”
“Don’t be afraid, I am here,” Nobu replied in between sniffles.
“And what is faith?”
“The substance of things hoped for. Evidence of things not seen.”
“Do you have faith that your marriage will work? And that even if it doesn’t, God will comfort you, heal you, and give you the love you deserve with someone else?” Nobu nodded softly. “It’s natural to have fear, especially when dealing with humans and something as fickle as our heart and emotions. But if you truly believe God would be pleased with you reuniting with your husband, have no fear, because Jesus will be with you both every step of the way.” Mila placed a kiss on her temple. “Hendrix is invested in this. Whatever the two of you went through before the divorce, he’s actively working to validate your trust in him. It’s okay to surrender and let him.”
“You’re right,” Nobu agreed quietly. She huffed, wiping the last of her tears. “I don’t want my fear and lack of faith to ruin this. Honestly, we didn’t have any major issues. No cheating, no abuse. We just… were being selfish and not willing to compromise and work together.”
