“I missed you,” he confessed.
“You dumped me, remember?”
Noble simpered, putting his head down before lifting it up. “I did but I didn’t mean it. I’m sorry for everything. I should've never went to Danira’s house that night. We developed a friendship years after our relationship ended, so it wasn’t outof the norm to go to her crib.” He stepped into Irish’s personal space. “I never cheated on you. I actually don't desire no other female ‘cause you the only woman I want, Pumpkin.”
Her eyes closed at the nickname he’d given her. She’d missed hearing it so much.
“I was wrong but I just wanted to help you out. I hate seeing you down and I foolishly thought I could make you feel better.”
Her brows lowered. “Why did you say foolishly?”
“Because grief last for a long ass time. I guess because I was able to push my pops’ death out of my mind that I assumed everyone grieves like me. I understand you need time to accept Jovanis’ death. I’m not rushing you. I just wanna help you get through it.”
Irish nodded, tucking her lips between her teeth. It felt good to hear that from Noble. He’d been her rock and the thought of him not being in her life caused her chest to ache.
“…I’m sorry, too.” She looked him in the eyes. “I shouldn’t have told you what Jovanis said to me. I used it as a weapon because you hurt me. When he said it to me, I was offended and denied it right away. I don't know why I threw it back in your face.” She shook her head.
Noble softly grabbed her chin. “Do you believe what he told you?”
“No, I don't.”
“Then that’s all that matters.” He kissed her lips, causing a subtle moan to resound from her throat. “You should know me better than anybody and shouldn’t nobody be able to tell you shit about me. I know nobody can say nothing about you, baby. Can you promise not to let nobody else’s words come between us?”
Irish bobbed her head, feeling as if she was caught up in a trance. Noble’s presence was so inebriating. How could one man have such a mesmeric effect on her like this? Noble had come like a tropical storm, wrecking everything in his path and capturing her heart. Irish felt weak for him and while it terrified her, she knew she was in the safest arms in the world.
He palmed her bump. “You been taking your vitamins?”
Jokingly, she rolled her eyes. “Of course. I don't know why you think I haven’t.”
“I gotta make sure my baby don't come out with three toes.”
She snickered, slapping his arm. “Don't speak that. We’re going to have a healthy baby.”
“I know.” He kissed her again. “Come out here real quick.”
With her hand inside his, Noble led them out the bedroom. When they rounded the corner, Irish’s mouth gaped.
“Oh, my! Kenji and Amare!” she gushed.
The two boys ran over and hugged her legs.
“Irish, we came to get you for your birthday,” Kenji announced.
“Yeah, Uncle Noble said we had to get on a plane to get you,” Amare informed her.
She laughed at how animated they were. “Is that right? So you're going to spend some time with me for my birthday?”
“Yep.” Kenji bobbed his head.
Cali came down the stairs holding a suitcase. “After all this time of knowing Noble, I have never seen his son. I can’t get over how much he looks like you.”
“I know right,” Irish agreed. “His genetics strong as hell.”
Noble chuckled, taking a seat on the couch. “Go pack up, Pumpkin. We got somewhere to be.”
She peered at him skeptically. “Where we going?”
“Don't worry about it. Just get your things together.”
