“Yeah,” she answered softly, looking down at her feet. When she glanced back up, he filled her space, lifting her chin with one finger.
“I prayed on that yes,” Nyair answered. “The Homie answering prayers today.”
She beamed. She had been flirted with in many ways, but never in ways that involved prayers to God.
“Apparently, not every prayer because you haven’t kissed me yet.”
He obliged and Lauren literally melted. His lips were the softest place on earth, and he kissed like he learned the art in Paris under the Eiffel tower or some shit. The way he used his tongue and controlled the pace by pinching her chin was mind-blowing. These were the types of kisses that awoke Sleeping Beauty from her sleep.
She pulled back, and he pulled her into his body, his strong arms draping her waist.
“Are you sure this is okay?” She asked.
“I’m real sound in my mind, body, and spirit, Lo. I’m not the one who should be answering that question. Are you sure this is okay?”
“I’m not really sure of anything these days,” she answered.
“Then trust me to lead,” he answered.
She nodded, and he stepped back, holding his hand out for her to go first.
Instead, she grabbed his hand. “I want to hold the pastor’s hand in public.”
It was his turn to be flattered.
He lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed her knuckles. “Maybe we have a private conversation with DJ first,” Nyair suggested.
This whimsical flutter in her stomach and living in the moment had made her completely forget that her son didn’t know.
“Oh my god, yes, yes. You’re right,” she said, embarrassed.
“But when he knows, I’m with whatever you’re with, whatever speed, whatever level you want to explore this on. In my experience, a slow burn lasts longer. We don’t have to rush. Ireally do want to align with your spirit, Lo. If that chemistry is right, the body gon’ follow, the people who love us gon’ follow. Let’s make sure that’s right first, and that you’re healed first from your divorce.”
She nodded and walked by him. He pulled her back suddenly, cupping her face and kissing her passionately before releasing her.
Lauren felt like a queen as she emerged from the room with Nyair following.
The team and their parents had begun filtering in, and as her eyes scanned the room, they landed on Demi. His presence just made her feel like she was doing something wrong, but she had to remind herself that he wasn’t her husband anymore. What she did was not his concern. She almost wished she could sit somewhere else but knew DJ would want them together. “Hey, Ma! Dad’s here!”
I see your rock-head-ass daddy, boy,Lauren thought.
“Enjoy your family,” Nyair whispered in her ear as he bypassed her. It was the hand to the small of her back that made her soul move. Her eyes followed him around the room as he did what she had always known him to do, politic. He was a natural leader and the parents, both fathers, and mothers, gravitated toward him. The kids on the team loved him. He was just a man that carried energy with him. She wondered if it was the godliness in him or if he was just a man that commanded attention. Either way, he had; she was locked in.
She watched him greet his brother, Ethic, and his family, and her heart stopped when she saw Ethic walk over to Demi. The men spoke and then Ethic’s entire family sat at the table with Demi and her son, Nyair included.
Oh, bitch, you gon’ need your big girl panties for this.
Her Creed perfume left notes of vanilla behind her as she made her way to the group. Her hair was weaved up and pulledoff her face, middle-parted, and a long waist-length ponytail trailed her. One thing about Lauren. She was going to switch up her style and step into a room like she owned it. She looked like the perfect host.
“Hey, everybody, so good to see you,” she greeted.
“Good to see you,” Ethic replied. “I’m assuming this all your work. Nyair ain’t putting nothing this elevated together. This has a woman’s touch all over it.”
“He chose some linens or something,” she said.
Ethic gave the faintest smile. “Your daughter is beautiful. Can I hold her?”
“This is my oldest, Mo,” Ethic said.
