Smiling, Nivéa started to turn away to sit with Nyla, but Crown gently stopped her.
“What I say? Let me help. Let me hold her.” He said.
Nivéa hesitated, bouncing Nyla lightly in her arms. “You sure?”
“Yeah, I’m sure.” He nodded toward the computer. “You’re busy. Let me help while I can. I’ve got about thirty minutes to spare. Go finish that list for me.”
Nivéa paused for a moment longer, looking up at him.
“What? You don’t feel comfortable with me holding her? If not, I’ll fall back. I understand.” Crown said, lifting his hands.
“I feel very comfortable with you. Just don’t get nervous and drop my baby, big man.” Nivéa half-joked.
“Never that. You should know better. Protect y’all with my life.”
Carefully, Crown took Nyla, adjusting his hold with one arm beneath her and the other steadying her back. Nyla fussed once, then settled, blinking up at him like she was trying to figure him out. That look stole Crown's heart instantly.
“Uh-uh, not her getting quiet.” Nivéa playfully narrowed her eyes.
“See? Baby girl knows what it is. She knows I got her.” He winked.
They laughed together, the sound warming the moment as Crown took a seat in the chair across from the desk. “You loud like your mama already. That’s cool. I can handle loud.” He joked with Nyla.
Nivéa laughed as she sat down in his chair. “Shut up. I am not loud.”
“You and your homegirl definitely loud. Heard y’all all the way from the bedroom.”
“I’m sorry. We woke you?” She poked out her bottom lip.
“Don’t be sorry. It’s all good. I’m just messing with you.”
“Speaking of my girl, she wants to come visit.”
Crown tensed up, hoping it didn’t show. He didn’t mean any harm; he just had certain rules. A man of his status preferred to keep his address private…too many enemies.
“It’s okay if you’re not fine with it. I understand. I’ll just have her meet us at the shop when I drop off the orders. She ain’t gon’ let up, and I don’t blame her. I’d be the same way. We don’t go a day without talking or seeing each other.”
Crown nodded, understanding that. He and Smoky were the same way. “Nah, it’s cool. I get it. She’s welcome to come anytime.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah, baby.”
“Okay.” Nivéa smiled as she directed her attention back to the computer and her notes.
“How did it go with my mama yesterday? Forgot to ask.” Crown questioned.
“Yeah, ‘cause you too busy tryna get coochie.”
“Facts,”
Nivéa snickered. “Great. She’s so sweet. She made dinner for us. I ended up eating mine before I fell asleep. It was so good that I almost ate yours, too. But I left it in the refrigerator, trying to be nice.”
Crown chuckled. “Yeah, mama can cook her ass off. I’mma take mine for lunch.”
“She held Ny the entire time she was here, too. They bonded really well.”
“I’m not surprised. She’s ready for grandbabies.”
