“Do I need to do anything? Sign something?”
“No. Your part is over.”
“Well, thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome, ma’am. Have a good day.”
“You too,” I say, then end the call.
As soon as Kandi returns, I share the good news. I’ll tell Xai when he and the girls get home. Hopefully, that’ll help ease some of his tension. I swear his handsome face gets hard as stone anytime we even mention that day. Hearing this will hopefully relax that look.
“Good. I hope them bitches rot in there,” Kandi says and I definitely agree.
The server returns with Kandi’s to-go order and we leave the restaurant. After hugging, we part ways and head to our respective cars. When I get into my completely detailed car and start the engine, I smile when I see that my fuel level says full and my oil level shows ninety-eight percent. It’s the little things like this that make me appreciate the man I have.
Beaming, I start my Yara playlist and blast her newest and my new favorite,The Feels,on repeat to the house. Xai’s truck is in the driveway.They beat me back and I can’t wait to hear about their adventure.
When I pull into the garage, the door opens before I kill my engine. It’s him and he walks out and opens my door. After assisting me out, he pulls me into him and kisses my lips passionately. This is how I’m greeted every time I come home from work, and I can’t lie, I’m falling in love with this.
“You had fun?” he asks.
“Yeah, I told her and she actually screamed in those people’s restaurant.”
“That’s yo’ girl,” he says while shaking his head.
“The detective called while I was there.”
“And what he say?”
“Because I’m pregnant, they were charged with aggravated battery. They took a plea. Three years.”
“They deserve more than that shit,” he grits.
“I know, baby, but I’m good with it, really good,” I assure him. “I just wanted them to pay for that shit and they are. It’s done, they’re going to jail, and my babies don’t have to talk to them or testify.”
He examines my face for a moment, then says, “You’re right. Seeing that shit was already too much for them.”
“Exactly. Now can I know about your outing? Where did y’all go and what did you do?”
“They’ll tell you,” is all he says before grabbing my ass. “Damn, love, that ass getting fat,” he says and I roll my eyes.
“That’s where I carry, in my ass and thighs. They’re going to double in size,” I warn but he doesn’t care.
“Shit. I can’t wait. I’m going to have fun grabbing and kissing on it all,” he says before squeezing my ass again.
We walk into the house and it’s quiet, too quiet, and I didn’t get my usual greeting from my babies. A little concerned, but more disappointed, I drop my keys on the counter, march through the dining room and kitchen, then storm into the living room. Averi and Romi are completely enthralled by a million rocks scattered on the floor.
“What is this?” I ask and they both look up.
“Mommie, come look!” Averi exclaims.
“Come see, Mommie,” Romi cosigns.
I turn back to Xai and he just tilts his head, encouraging me to take a look. I step over to them and he’s on my heels. Right when I start to ease onto the floor, he snakes his arm around my waist and holds me. I don’t even bother to protest; it’ll only fall on his intentionally deaf ears.
“These are so pretty,” I marvel as I stare at the myriad of colorful rocks. “Where did these come from?”
“The mountain,” Romi says. “We ate up there.” She beams and I glance back at Xai, curious.
