My eyes moved over Aviana’s latest batch of text messages. They were mundane conversations about hair appointments, plans with Mia, a new brunch spot her mother wanted to check out.
The phone in my pocket vibrated suddenly. Sliding Aviana’s phone onto the desk, I pulled out my own. An unsaved number flashed across the screen.
I grinned cockily as I read the text.
773-965-9887:Did you make it home safely?
Damar:Yeah. Just walked in.
I didn’t even set the phone down before it buzzed again.
773-965-9887:Thank you for tonight. I really needed that.
As I typed my response, smugness rolled off me.
Damar:I know you did. Don’t worry, you’ll get more soon.
MYTHIC GREY
A harsh retching sound yanked me out of my sleep. My eyes opened slowly, adjusting to the sunlight. I instinctively reached beside me. My fingers slid over cold sheets where Lelani was supposed to be. I sat up, squinting toward the master bathroom door. It was slightly open, and a sliver of dim yellow light lit the floor.
“Lee?” I called out.
Just as I swung my legs out of bed, I heard the toilet flush, so I decided to just wait. I soon heard the sound of running water, then the vibrations of her electric toothbrush.
A few minutes later, the bathroom door swung open fully. Lelani stepped out slowly, sluggish and exhausted. She padded back to the bed and crawled in beside me, sinking into the mattress.
“You good?” I asked as I shifted onto my side to face her.
“Yeah,” she murmured weakly.
I exhaled, frowning. The nausea, headaches, and exhaustion were becoming a nightly thing.
“You sure you’re not pregnant?”
“Mythic, I promise I’m not pregnant.”
A quiet relief spread through me, and I hated myself for it. Lelani was a good woman. She was the kind of woman who deserved the world. She deserved a man who would celebrate the thought of her carrying his child. But whenever I imagined myself as a father, it was always Aviana I saw holding my child. To picture anyone else in her place felt like betrayal.
“Then you need to see a doctor—soon. Something’s not right.”
“I know,” she admitted quietly. “I’ll make an appointment later today.”
“Good.” I drew her closer, allowing her to curl against my chest. “We gotta get to the bottom of it.”
She nodded against me, burrowing deeper into my hold. I stroked her hair gently, feeling guilty for my relief, for my thoughts, for holding Lelani in my arms when my heart wasn’t fully here.
CHAPTER 3
AVIANA SCOTT
AS SOON ASI stepped out of my car in front of the office building Friday morning, I noticed Mia climbing out of hers down toward the corner. I bit back a laugh, watching her dramatically slip oversized black shades onto her face. She swung her purse over her shoulder with a groan loud enough for me to hear even from a distance.
I shut my car door and locked it with the key fob as I walked up the sidewalk to meet her. “You good, sis?” I teased, nudging her gently with my elbow.
Mia let out another exaggerated groan. “Do I look like I’m good?”
“I mean…” I gave her a playful once-over. “You look like you fought with the liquorand lost.”
