“You know I like when you talk like that,” she hummed, clinging on to his words. “You’re the safest place I’ve known.”
“I’ll hold that space forever, even when you’re mad at me and I’m mad at you. It’ll still be safe. It’ll still be yours.”
She groaned. “Stop it.”
“Nah.” Jahlil’s eyes were trained on her, taking her in. “You’re beautiful.”
Emani bit her bottom lip, leaned in and whispered in his ear. “You are too. Tonight, after sassy pants is back in her bed, tell me that while you slow grind.”
“Shit, you sure you want to eat?” Jahlil grumbled, shifting in his seat.
Emani giggled. “Yes, I’m hungry. How was practice? You ready for tomorrow?”
“Born ready. You ready?”
“To cheer like I used to? Hell yeah. Any outfit requests?”
Jahlil shook his head. “Put it on so I can take it off.”
Emani rolled her eyes. “Yeah okay, you’ll be knocked out by the time your head hits the pillow.”
“You right but I can dream about undressing you,” Jahlil stated in a joking tone.
This place she was settling into was full of warmth and softness and for the first time in years, she welcomed it. There wasn’t any worry about how bad it’d hurt to neglect herself, or if she was dropped. She was loved here and respected. What more could a girl who’d craved love all her life ask for?
“And wake up and have Sanaa telling us that we can’t cuss and kiss?” Emani laughed. “Uh uh, papa.”
“Her little ass is noseeeyyy,” Jahlil drew out. “On the way to school this morning, she asked me why I can’t just hold your hand and not cuss and why can’t she hold hands with us too.”
Emani covered her face and shook her head. “I mean you were holding my hand. She’s not nosey either. She’s curious. She’s been hanging out with old women all her life, I can tell.”
“Smoking markers, cussin’ like she’s on social security and playing bridge. She’s the oldest four year old I know.”
“Tell me what she needs, like in your opinion?”
Jahlil pulled in a deep breath and looked over the ocean then back at Emani. “Safety. Not that she’s not safe, but I know what it feels like to be fatherless and damn near motherless. She has no idea what a mother is supposed to offer.”
“I sensed that. I know that feeling. I don’t want to take over that space though.”
“Why not? Her mother is never coming back. She signed over her rights. Sanaa needs that. And I’m not putting pressure on you either. We just got back together and I know it’s like being in a vortex.”
Emani shook her head. “No, actually, I like it. Love it actually. I just don’t want to overstep my role.”
“As far as I’m concerned, Rose. You’re going to be my wife. There is no role to overstep. This is our family. And if you had a kid, I would feel the same. They would be mine too.”
Emani kissed her lips. “You lying.”
“I’m not. I’d love that kid just like it were mine. Not it’s daddy, I’d make that nigga disappear without second thought.”
A snort of laughter fell from Emani’s lips. “Jahlil, please!”
“It’s always Jahlil please when I’m dead ass serious. Nigga would’ve been in the dirt.”
“Was that your intention with …”
“Yeah but I figured him having to watch how good I’m going to love you was a better get back. Bitch ass nigga invited me to a sham engagement and was useless. And I should’ve knocked his head off his shoulders then but I was trying to be a team player and shit.”
“You do not play well with others. I actually thought you might’ve snatched me up,” Emani admitted.
