I didn’t answer because I already knew that I had no choice but to do the right thing. If I was going to do this, then I had to really do this. Maybe not perfectly. Maybe not with the love other men seemed to be born knowing how to give. But I could still show up. I could still learn. I could still make sure my child never had to wonder if they mattered to me.
The wind picked up again, brushing past our coats and making Big A curse under his breath.
“A’ight,” Icon said, looking toward his truck. “I’m out. I got other shit to handle.”
Big A nodded. “Same.”
Legend stayed where he was a second longer, still watching me in that quiet way of his.
I looked back at him, raising my brow. “What?”
He gave the smallest shrug but was cheesing like a weird nigga. “Nothing.”
I gave him a knowing smirk, turned toward my truck, and told him, “I’ll tap in later.”
AVA REYNOLDS
Chicago food was blowing me up. After standing in front of my bathroom mirror that morning, trying to decide how much of the weight I’d gained was the baby or all the Italian Fiesta, Harold’s, and gyro cheeseburgers I’d been eating, I decided I needed to get in the gym to tighten up what I could.
I didn’t mind the weight gain too much. I had had a slim-thick frame since puberty and always wanted to get a lil’ thickerin the right places. But I also didn’t want it getting out of control. So, I was currently in the gym on the first floor of my building with my treadmill speed set to a brisk incline walk that had sweat gathering in pockets all over my body.
I had been on the treadmill about thirty minutes when the same cute guy I had seen a few times since moving in walked in. I had seen him once getting his mail and a few times in the elevator. He was tall, with light brown skin, shoulder-length locs, and the signature full beard that women loved. It was clear that he lived in the gym with the way his muscles bulged and his abs pressed through his tight t-shirts.
That day, he had on a gray hoodie, black shorts, and headphones around his neck. He glanced my way, smiled, then came over to the treadmill beside mine.
I tried not to pay him any attention. Although my mind had been consumed with Reek and this baby for months, I was still a single woman who hadn’t been having consistent sex. I hadn’t been in a committed relationship or even had consistent dick in quite some time. I was a bit thirsty, but this big belly made me abstinent against my will, since I no longer should sleep with my child’s father.
When I slowed my treadmill down to catch my breath and wipe the sweat from my face, he looked over and said, “You’re working out even while pregnant. I like that.” Then he smiled, showing off pretty, perfect, white teeth.
“Th-thank you.” I blushed. “You obviously take health and fitness very seriously,” I added, scanning his perfection from head to toe.
He tried to hold back his blushing. His jaws tightened as he licked plump, kissable lips. “I’m Kam.”
“Ava.”
“I just started seeing you around the building. You must have just moved in.”
“I did.”
“Well, nice to officially meet you, Beautiful.”
“Nice to officially meet you too.”
We started conversing as we got our cardio in. His flirtation wasn’t over the top, but he did commend me on how much I was glowing. He advised me on safe workouts that I could do as my pregnancy went along. Then he started to tell me his experience living in the building for the last two years. He told me which residents in the building were cool and which ones liked to complain in the group chat. He told me the older woman on the twelfth floor had a yorkie that barked at everybody but was actually harmless. He told me which restaurants in the neighborhood had the best food.
Talking to him felt like a breath of fresh air. There was no baggage or tension thick enough to cut. He was just a sexy guy being nice to me without acting like my pregnancy made me untouchable or like he had to tiptoe around it.
After a few more minutes, I slowed the treadmill down and stepped off.
Kam glanced over. “You done already?”
“With cardio, yes. I’m about to do weights.”
He watched me as I walked over to the dumbbell rack. I grabbed a pair that I could handle, stood in front of the mirror, and started with shoulder presses.
Kam watched for a second from his treadmill, then shook his head and stepped off. “Let me help you before you throw your back out.” As he came up beside me, he told me, “Don’t lock your knees like that, and don’t hold your breath when you lift.” He showed me how to keep my feet planted and my core engaged without forcing it. “You’re pregnant, so you don’t need to be doing anything too crazy. Keep the weight moderate, keep your posture right, and don’t overdo anything that puts pressureon your lower back, especially once your stomach starts to get bigger.”
I adjusted my stance and tried again. “Like this?”
