12
Niya
I’d never admit out loud, but I was real happy to see Sean enter the hospital room. He was dressed in a navy blue suit with black shoes, which meant he had to be on his way to work. I bit the inside of my cheeks to keep my smile from busting out. After the way I had spoken to him, I didn’t think he’d have the guts to show his face again. My heart had been in protest from the time he walked out the door two nights before.
I checked him out from under my lashes, admiring his fresh cut and shape up.
Sean held a bouquet of flowers I knew he had purchased from the gift shop on the first floor. I had eyed them earlier, wanting to brighten Big’s room, but couldn’t afford to spend that much money on flowers.
Jazzy rolled her eyes and stood. “I’m going to the bathroom and to get a cup of coffee.” She brushed past him, freezing his greeting with a cold look. He was lucky she didn’t throw the book she was reading at him, but knowing her, she wouldn’t risk damaging the pages.
“Hey, Niya,” Sean said, holding out the flowers. He looked uncertain...and cute.
I jutted my chin but declined to answer him. Sean didn’t seem bothered by my unenthusiastic greeting. His eyes were all on me. My body heated under all that scrutiny.
“Hi,” I finally said, taking the bunch in my hands. I sniffed, appreciating the distinct smells of daisies and roses and rubbed my cheek against the baby’s breath. “Thank you. They’re beautiful.” I couldn’t look him in the eyes knowing I had told him never to come back.
“You can’t get rid of me that easy,” Sean said, as if he had read my mind. “The only reason it took me this long is because I had to make things right with Lakesha before coming here.”
“Lakesha?” I squeaked out, swallowing my jealousy.
“Yes,” he said. “I apologized to RayRay and told her I’d begin paying her child support soon.” He looked at me as if waiting for a sign of approval. Well, guess what? I hated that Sean had a child with someone who wasn’t me. Yet, he stood there smiling at me like a horse wanting a carrot.
“I’m proud you manned up to your duties,” I forced out. “Did you ask her for a DNA test? You’ve got to be sure before you get all in and find out she lied to you.”
Sean nodded. “You bet. Lakesha got all bent out of shape about it, but I need to see it in black and white.” He touched his chest. “I know it here though. I feel so much love for RayRay already. I didn’t imagine being a father would feel like this.”
I closed my eyes to shield myself from the love shining in his eyes for his son. I felt left out. I didn’t know what it was like to be a parent. Instinctively, I touched my womb.
Sean reached for my hand and held it against his heart. “I can’t wait to experience these emotions with you. At least, I hope to one day.”
A tentative smile was all I could manage after his heartfelt declaration. He was being pretty bold with his feelings while I was feeling confused.
“Shouldn’t you try to see if you can make things work with Lakesha?” I asked. “Then you could give RayRay a happy family with both his parents together.” My stomach tightened. That wasn’t what I wanted at all but I had to ask. Better to bring it up now than have to face that possibility later.
He gave a quick response. “I know my life got complicated all of a sudden, but I have no interest in Lakesha. I’ll be there for my son. Period. That’s it.”
My heart smiled and I relaxed my shoulders, clinging to his words. I needed the assurance they provided, though I would never admit that to him.
Sean moved closer to me. “I never wanted a baby mama. I wanted—want—a wife.” He tucked a finger under my chin until I was gazing into his soulful eyes. “I want you.”
“Me?” I breathed out. “What could I give you?”
“Completion,” he said, without hesitation. “You fill my heart until it is overflowing. Niya, you’re the one I think of when I get up in the morning and who I dream of at night. Why do you think I came back to this town? I don’t have anyone here. Just you.”
“Whoa.” His confession overwhelmed me. It wasn’t every day a small town girl like me got to hear words filled with such passion...and love.
Sean kissed the back of my hand. I felt his full lips and yearned to have them pressed against mine.
“I’m probably saying too much, scaring you off, but I can’t hold back from expressing how I feel any longer,” he said.
All I could do was look at him. Feast on the sincerity in his eyes. My heart was eating up every word.
“Please, don’t tell me you gon’ fall for that,” Jazzy said, startling me. “That’s like cheap romance novel lines 101.”
I snatched my hand away and covered it with my other hand, but it was as if Sean’s lips had been seared on my skin. His touch lingered, teasing my senses.
Jazzy placed a hand on her hip. “Y’all have only gone out on one stinkin’ date. You’ve never evenhada boyfriend.Andhe got a child already. Really?”
