Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 95520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 478(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 478(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
“Hey, there you two are. I thought I heard squealing,” Erica says as she comes around the side of the house.
“Hey, what are you doing here?”
“I came to make sure my favorite boy wasn’t standing over two bodies crying,” she taunts. “Good to see you made it through the night. Where’s Zah?”
“I’m letting her sleep in.”
“Cool. Are we good, bro?”
I tug my sister into a hug. “Yeah, we’re good. Just don’t ever do anything like that to me ever again.”
“I won’t. I hated every minute of it.”
“Come on. Let’s go inside. I’ll wake Zah and make her breakfast.”
I grab Aaron from the swing and toss him up into the air. He squeals happily and begins to giggle as I tickle his stomach. His little giggles make my heart swell with pride.
“You’re great with him already,” Erica says.
“I love him already.”
We walk into the house as Zah comes out looking like she had a fight with the bed. I bite my lip to hold my laughter in. She looks at me and rolls her eyes.
“I need coffee. Lots of coffee.”
“Mommy. We play. Come back outside, Dada.”
I laugh. “I’ve got you, buddy. Let’s feed Mommy first. You want an apple?”
“No. Raisins, please.”
“He’s talking about granola,” Erica says.
“I know, Zah already gave me a crash course in Aaron speak.”
The doorbell rings as we all head to the kitchen. Zah frowns and turns to answer it. I stop her and hand Aaron over.
“I’ll get it.”
She shrugs. “It’s probably one of the moms.”
I peck her lips and go to get the door. I have a huge grin on my face until I open the door and find none other than Gilbert standing on the other side. I fold my arms over my chest and glare down at him.
“You need something?”
“I’m here to see my fiancée,” he growls.
“I don’t know why. No one by that title lives here.”
“Where is Zahirah? I’m here for her, not you.”
“Dada, up up,” Aaron comes running to my side with his arms held up.
“Hey, buddy. What happened to your snack?”
“Hey, son. I haven’t seen you in a few days. Come here, little guy,” Gilbert croons as he holds his hands out.
“No,” Aaron whines and hides his face in my neck.
The shit-eating grin I have on my face right now has to speak volumes. I couldn’t have asked for a better reaction. I rub my son’s back as I sway him in my arms.
“Where’s my fucking fiancée? I want you away from my family. You need to go,” he snarls.
“Watch your mouth around my son before I shove my fist down your throat. I already told you, you don’t have a fiancée at this residence. I know it was all BS.
“Zahirah is over it. It’s done. Stop pretending and leave my woman alone,” I bite out.
“What’s going on?” Zah asks as she and Erica come rushing to the door.
“We need to talk,” Gilbert snarls.
“You will never talk to her like that. Watch your tone.”
“Coswell, everything between us was fine before you showed up. Zahirah, I heard your mother was discharged from the hospital last night. That gives us plenty of time to get ready for the ceremony this evening.”
“Oh my God, what aren’t you hearing? Erica, can you please take Aaron back into the kitchen?” Zah says.
Erica takes Aaron from me and leaves with him. I pull Zah to my side, then fold my arms across my chest. Gilbert looks like his head is going to explode.
“Listen, you asked me to do you a favor. That favor blew up into way more than I bargained for. There never should have been a wedding planned with all those people you invited.
“None of this was ever what I wanted. I’m not marrying you today or any other day. I’m sorry and I’ll be happy to talk to your grandmother if you want me to, but this is over. I have my own life to get back to,” Zah says in frustration.
“I’ve been here for you and Aaron this entire time. Where has he been? How has he shown you he cares?”
“That’s none of your business. You’ve shoved your way into situations I really didn’t want you to be a part of more times than not. This isn’t a real relationship, you know that, right?”
“What does he have that I don’t?”
“Gilbert, please leave while we’re still friends. You’re making this really awkward. Tell your grandmother I’m very sorry.”
“In other words, we’re back and you don’t need to come back.”
“Bent,” Zah snorts.
I shrug as I give this asshole a warning glare. I told him a long time ago to stay away from Zahirah. Maybe his jaw needs a reminder.
Gilbert balls his fists at his sides, but he nods his head and turns to leave. Zah wraps her arms around my waist and sags into me. I wrap my arms around her and give her a squeeze before I close the door and lead her to the kitchen.