“Um…” Giavanna was so caught off guard by the invitation, that she had to think about whether she was actually hungry.
At that point, she should have been used to Brazil being nice to her. It was who he was, but she was still surprised every time he did or said something sweet. “I just made a smoothie, but I can eat.”
“Bet.” He gave a curt nod.
Brazil entered the house and when Unique saw him, her entire face lit up. She started kicking her feet, and the way all of his teeth showed as he grinned at his daughter was too cute. It warmed Giavanna’s heart to see her cousin interact with her father. The same way the moment made her heart full it also made her chest tight. Every day, Giavanna wished Kera was around to see her daughter grow and reach milestones. Even before her diagnosis, she knew life was precious. It just wasn’t fair that Kera didn’t get to know her baby.
The closer Brazil inched to his daughter, the more excited she came. By the time he lifted her out of the swing, she was cooingand drooling. “How did she do last night?” He looked over at Giavanna.
“She did really well. She went to bed around eight, and she didn’t wake up to eat until like one. After she ate, she went right back to sleep.”
Giavanna got her purse from the bedroom and followed Brazil from the house. She knew that they weren’t on a date but should anyone see them out in public and know who either of them were, Giavanna knew that it would be presumed they were on a date. When he opened the car door for her, Giavanna thanked him and eased into the car.
Since learning she had cancer, one thing she was used to was the up and down in her emotions. Often, the same things that warmed her heart chilled her veins. She was the literal definition of the same thing that makes you laugh can make you cry. Hearing Unique laugh and coo behind her as Brazil softly talked to her while securing her carrier made Giavanna smile. So, this was what it would feel like to have a family? The exact moment the question entered her brain made her heart lurch. This was the feeling that she may never get to have. If leukemia robbed her of her fertility or her life, she may never get to experience sitting in the passenger seat while her husband buckled their child in.
Giavanna had excelled in the sport of fighting back tears. It was just another item added to the list of things she had to accept. Brazil got in the car and pushed the button to start the engine. “Any place in particular that you want to go?”
“Um, Scrambled has pretty good food. And bottomless mimosas.”
“You good to drink?”
Turning her head to face him, Giavanna smiled. “Are you naturally this considerate and charming or is it something that you had to work toward?”
“What?” He laughed as he placed the gear in reverse. “I’m assuming it comes naturally because it’s not something I try to do. Maybe I was just raised right.”
“Indeed, you were. I’ll never argue with that. I’m just saying, things like the chemo bag, caring that I was at chemo alone, asking if I’m good to drink. It may come to you naturally, but not everyone is so thoughtful. I’m not complaining,” she added with a chuckle. “And to answer your question, I feel pretty good today, and I’m only on two daily medications, so hopefully, a few mimosas won’t hurt.”
“Got it.” He bobbed his head.
Staring out of the window, Giavanna chewed lightly on the inside of her cheek. She was capable of having male, platonic friends. She was even capable of having handsome, male, platonic friends, but she didn’t like the way Brazil’s presence made her stomach do somersaults. She didn’t like the way her body warmed when he did something nice for her. Brazil was a line that couldn’t be crossed, and she didn’t even like the temptation of it. However, he made her dark days just a little bit brighter. Giavanna became so lost in her thoughts that she was surprised when Brazil arrived at the restaurant. It literally seemed as though they’d only been in the car for a few minutes.
Giavanna removed her seatbelt and grabbed her purse. Patiently, she waited for Brazil to get Unique from the car and once her carrier was in hand, she led the way to the entrance, so she could hold the door for him.
“You better not touch that door,” he called from behind her.
Giavanna turned around with furrowed brows. “Dang, I can’t be nice and make life easier for you?” she jested.
“Hell no. If my father saw you holding a door open for me, he’d pop me upside my head. I have two hands. And one of them is still free.”
“Well, alrighty then.” Giavanna held her hands up as if she was facing law enforcement. Brazil breezed past her and opened the door.
The fact that she’d never come across a man even remotely close to Brazil’s character since she’d been dating was enough to piss her off. She couldn’t believe that Kera let a man like Brazil get away from her, only to end up losing her life at the hands of a toxic, controlling, abusive, fuck nigga.
They were seated and though she knew what she wanted, Giavanna busied herself with looking over the menu. The hostess had commented on how adorable Unique was and complimented them both because she assumed they were the parents. Brazil didn’t correct her, and she didn’t either. It would have been a little weird for her to voice that Unique was actually her cousin’s baby, and Brazil was her cousin’s baby daddy. Yeah, awkward for sure.
The mimosa delivery was prompt and right on time. Giavanna’s first swallow almost when down the wrong way when Brazil spoke.
“I have a match in Diamond Cove next week. You should come.”
It made her feel weak to decline his invitation based on the fact that she was afraid if she kept being around him, she’d cross a line. Brazil had never come close to flirting with her. Nothing about his kindness was inappropriate or over the line. She was the one that couldn’t contain her emotions.
“That would be nice, but I have my second round of chemo Friday. It will have to depend on how I feel. The last time, I was just super tired and a little queasy. I didn’t have much of an appetite for about four days and everything that I did eat or drink tasted disgusting.” Giavanna sighed from the memory. She wasn’t looking forward to going through it again, but if chemowas going to give her more time on this earth, she’d bite the bullet and endure.
“No pressure. Prayerfully, you’ll feel up to it but if not, I completely understand. You have someone to go to chemo with you?”
“Yes, Brazil.” She smiled wide. “My best friend is coming with me. Although, it’s not like I’m having surgery or anything. It’s a routine visit that I’m going to have to get used to for a little while. I don’t expect to have company at every single chemo appointment.”
“What you expect doesn’t really matter. I can only speak for myself, but if I know you don’t have anyone that can go with you and I’m available, I’m there.”
