We burst into laughter.
After Amber made me promise I was okay, she left to get ready for her dinner with Creed. I walked over to the windows in my office and stared out at the city of Havenbrook glowing under the night sky. Pressing my palm to my stomach, I whispered:
“Hey, Mommy’s love.”
Hearing myself say “Mommy” surprised me. I knew Amber meant it when she said she had my back, but the truth was… it wasn't her responsibility to raise this baby with me. This child was created bymeandGage. And I had to be real with myself—he might not want us. He might disappear. But even if he didn’t want me, even if he only showed up for the baby… that would be enough. That would besomething.
"It’s just us right now. But I promise, I’ll figure out the rest. Even if it stays just us—Mommy promises you’ll never want for anything."
I thought about Gage again—his beautiful smile, the way he adored me like I was the most stunning thing he’d ever seen. I wondered if he ever thought about me. If he evenrememberedour night. If he remembered whispering that he loved me. I wasn’t naïve. I’d dated enough men with good dick and deep pockets to know that everything that glitters ain’t gold. Gage talked a good game—but talk alone doesn’t get you anywhere but caught between a rock and a hard place.
Still… something about him feltsafe.
Tossing the pregnancy test into the trash, I grabbed my purse and locked up for the night. The parking lot was quiet, the air thick yet sweet from the flowers blooming in July’s heat.
I paused for a second and looked up. The stars seemed closer tonight, like I could pluck one from the sky. There were millions of them, all twinkling just for me, like each one was ready to grant a wish. But my heart only had one:
Please let me give birth to a healthy and happy baby.
I got into my car, buckled up, and started the engine. Then I drove into the night—a different woman than the one who’d walked into Serenity that morning.
Mahasin
The ride to Gage’s penthouse felt longer than it should have. Sitting in the passenger seat, I twisted my phone in my hand, wondering if popping up at this man’s home on a Thursday morning, talking about“Hey Gage, I’m pregnant and you my baby daddy,”was actually a good idea.
Hell, if I didn’t question sleeping with a man I hardly knew—unprotected,at that—then this ghetto-ass pop-up should be a breeze. But what if he told me to get the hell on? Ain’t like he had to work hard to get the pussy. He probably thinks I’m a whole hoe.
Well, Mahasin,I thought to myself,you play pussy, you get fucked.
Amber’s loud singing of Jazmine Sullivan’sBust Your Windowsyanked me out of my spiral.
??"I must admit it helped a little bit... to think of how you’d feel when you saw it..."??
She turned toward me mid-verse, singing obnoxiously and off-key, as usual. Somehow, she still managed to pull out a laugh I didn’t want to expose. Sighing and canceling my join request to this Facebook group calledSuccessful Single Muva’s,I gave in and sang along with her crazy ass.
??"I didn’t know that I had that much strength. But I’m glad you see what happens when..."??
Amber clapped her hands in excitement, either because I joined in or because she was delighted, she managed to pull a smile out of me. “Yasss, bestie! Sing that shit! Jaz gonna get the girls right every time.”
She hit the gas, accelerating with a little too much excitement.
“And if that nigga tries it and show his ass—oooh weeee.” She glanced over at me. “What did you say he drove again? When you followed him home and his virgin ass took you down?”
“Amber! My gosh. Am I ever going to live down the fact that avirginhad some of the best dick I ever had?” I paused, knowing she was waiting. “I ain’t telling your assnothingelse.”
I could feel her stare crawling over my skin.
“A Ferrari, bitch,” I finally huffed, rolling my eyes.
Amber’s whole face lit up like she’d won a prize. “Well, if he doesn’t talk to younicely,that Ferrari gonna look like anAtarionce me and my bat get through with it.”
I burst out laughing. “You’d do it too.”
“Absolutely. It’s been a while since a bitch got a mugshot.”
We pulled into the parking garage for Gage’s building. It was even more stunning in the daytime. The all-glass windows and doors sparkled against the morning sun. Inside the lobby, the marble and gold interior blended perfectly with the antiquemahogany wood furniture. Ifbourbon, vanilla, and bitch-we-made-itwas a scent, this high-rise would be wearing it as its signature fragrance.
We approached a doorwoman behind a sleek counter. Her name tag readAshley Moore.
