Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 97951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 490(@200wpm)___ 392(@250wpm)___ 327(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 490(@200wpm)___ 392(@250wpm)___ 327(@300wpm)
“What’s so funny?”
“Just picturing you as a father. I know that you’ll be really silly… make our child laugh. You’ll be a good dad. Protective. I know you will.” Her smile faded, and she withdrew a bit into herself. He leaned in and kissed her cheek.
“I promise you, Nadia, I’m going to be there every step of the way,” he whispered in her ear. “I’m not going to beg you to have my baby, then leave, or not be there for you and my kids. That’s crazy. I want a family, with you, in every sense of the word. Look, I know why you are a little worried about all of this. It’s understandable. After we leave the park today, I want you to do what you said you needed to do. If you want me by your side, I’ll be there, or I can just stay in the car like we discussed.”
“I want you by my side, Lennox. I’m… I’m scared.” She swiped at a piece of grass on her leg. “I don’t want to get all silly and emotional though. I know, I know.” She waved her hand. “Therapy is kickin’ my ass, and I have to do this, but I still hate feeling so damn vulnerable, Len. I’m getting better though. Just bear with me.”
“You are. We both are.” He sighed. “It takes time. Do you need Silva’s email address?”
“Yeah, send it to me. I told her I don’t like that farmhouse, country chic shit. I mean, I said it nicer than that, but not much nicer.” Lennox burst out laughing. “I know that’s in style, but it’s not my style. I didn’t want to hurt your sister’s feelings, but I had to say it. That’s all she was showing me.”
“She’s cool with that. She’s a good designer and helps a lot of different clients all over Texas. Grandpa helped her get her business started.” He sucked his teeth. “She still doesn’t return his calls or talk to him. She’s really upset about everything. I know it sounds crazy, but I kinda feel bad for him in that regard. I couldn’t believe it, but he looked actually crushed that she knew the shit he’d been pulling all of these years. That man don’t love nobody but himself, but he holds something special for Silva apparently. I hated how it went down, but—”
“She needed to be told the truth.”
“Exactly.”
“It’s crazy that he didn’t know she seasoned his tea, so to speak. You said he was oblivious?”
“Yeah. He knew he wasn’t feeling well, but he chalked it up to some medicine he was taking for his sinuses. His allergies had been acting up for a while, so he took some prescription earlier that day before Silva came over. That’s what she told me he said, anyway. He did imagine her setting him up with the dancers though, but I cleared that up really quick.”
“Yeah, he only probably thought that because she was talking to him about his birthday party entertainment. Have you spoken to Roman and Kage lately?”
“Oh, yeah, many times a week, actually. Kage went to North Carolina for a couple of weeks. I have no idea what for. I think Roman just helped Silva update her website, too. He’s a beast. That’s not even his thing, really, but he just enjoys doing it as a hobby.”
“Oh, that was nice of him.”
“Yeah, it was, considering how busy he is. Silva and I are planning to go to Lebanon in the next year or two to visit Mama’s family and her grave.” He reached forward and stroked her cheek, barely able to keep his hands off her.
“That sounds good. It’s been a long while. I love that for y’all.” She placed her cooler down, and reached for his hand. Squeezing it. They rested in the soft silence.
“I want you to come, too.”
Nadia’s eyebrows rose in amazement. “But this is for you and Silva. I would just be in the way.”
“No, you’re family now, too.” He took her hand and kissed it. “I want you there. Please come.”
She hesitated, then nodded in agreement. Glue Trip’s, ‘Elbow Pain’ was playing then.
“I need to update my passport though. I think it’s expired.”
“We’ll take care of it right away then, Nadia. You should do that anyway since we’re still not sure where we’re going on our honeymoon.” He leaned into her, cupping the back of her head, and brought her in for a kiss. His heart lurched and pulse pounded as their tongues danced. Tash Sultana’s ‘Jungle’ now vibrated through his body. “Mmmm… baby…I’m so turned on right now. Let me take you.”
She slowly pulled away and looked into his eyes. “You better not mean what I think you mean.” He felt an overwhelming urge of excitement. “Dr. Saint Aknaten said you didn’t have a sex addiction. I think we need a second opinion.”