Page 27 of More to Love

“Hahaaaaa!”

I expected nothing less from him. As long as the problem wasn’t surrounding him, he found humor in it. I sat silently on the phone as he got his dose of laughter for the day. I couldn’t wait until the tables turned on his goofy behind.

“You done?” I questioned.

“Barely but go ahead with your shit nigga. Why y’all need a nanny in the first place? Avi doesn’t go to work or run a business. She wasting money at this point.”

“We on the same page with that no doubt.”

“You don’t sound mad though so I’m guessing you like her being there. How my niece feels about everything?”

“They’re warming up to each other and I’m low key happy to see her again. Her presence settling my thoughts for sure though. I was wondering how she was doing and all that other junk but now that she’s in my face, I’m somewhat at peace.”

“That’s hard to believe.” She stumbled in on our conversation at the wrong time. I didn’t need her knowing how I felt about her.

“Let me hit you back bro’,” I said pulling the phone from my ear and ending the call.

“No need to end your call. I was just coming to check on dinner. Excuse me.”

She stepped around me to get to the oven. I watched her for a minute admiring her beauty. Ri had it all. She had the looks, the character, and the genuine spirit I wanted in a woman. I wanted her in the worse way again, but she was under the roof where my family resided. That line would never get crossed.

“Sorimah, you’re not supposed to be here,” I voiced in a hushed tone as the admiration continued.

“Yeah, I gathered that already. I won’t return after today. Y’all have a sweet daughter by the way.”

“Ri…”

I reached for her hand and pulled her into me. The scent she wore was a fragrance I never got out my senses so to be able to smell it again was a craving that was finally being satisfied. She was closer to me, and I was tempted to take it there with her again.

The side of my shirt was grabbed, and her soft body was pressed into mine. I wanted to believe that she missed me as well by her small gestures. What we shared that night was something special. I needed her in my life, and I was tapping into my greed as well as selfish ways behind her.

“Hendrix, I can’t be here,” she whispered.

“Stay for me, please.”

Aviana was the mother of my daughter, and I was trying to get back to making her my world again but after having Sorimah, I was indecisive. There was so much to explore between us but I couldn’t because of my situation. Looking at her was satisfying for the time being so I was taking whatever I could get.

“And watch you live a happy life? I can’t do that.”

“Who said I was happy?” I caressed the side of her face and was fighting the urge to plant my lips on hers. I missed the hell out of this woman.

“You keep saying that but hearing that only gives me hope that one day you’ll be mine. I can’t think like that.”

She stepped back and I pulled her back into me. My grandfather’s words were in a loop at this very second. I couldn’t help but wonder if she was the wife I’d been longing for. Coming from being a standup guy to willing to throw my four-year relationship away, Sorimah was creating conflict in my heart.

My mouth covered hers and I was getting a slight dose of her for the second time. The way our tongues danced effortlessly and the way my hands clung to her body you couldn’t tell me this woman didn’t belong to me.

She ended the kiss abruptly and her already full lips were starting to swell a little. That kiss let me know that she wasn’t done with me either. I had a chance to figure out what was good for me.

“You’re attached to someone else. I can’t and won’t think like that Hendrix.”

“Honestly, I’m not asking you to. However, I am selfishly asking for time.”

“Time?” She stepped out of my embrace and went back to cooking. “Time means standby and watch someone I crave be with someone else in a way I desperately want. I’ll pass. Keep your relationship and work on being happy with Aviana. I’m here for that sweet little girl upstairs. I wish you two the best of luck. Now excuse me, I have a tea party to attend.”

I wanted to stop her, but she spoke facts. Not knowing exactly what I wanted to do and who I wanted to be with was hindering me from moving forward. Aviana wasn’t the best, but she was my woman and deserved respect. Then Ri was the woman my soul cried for. I was in a tough situation.

Knowing this couldn’t be decided in one day, I headed for my office to get some things straight and organized for a few upcoming events. My job as a videographer didn’t stop.