5. Makari #4
“For now we’re really just preparing for the next stages. I’m here to assist with putting a plan in place so you’re prepared when…” She paused and looked at me. “Avi, right?”
I nodded, appreciating her personalizing this experience. “We want to be prepared when Avi is mobile. Preventative is the best defense. I’ve done my initial walkthrough and there aren’t many major issues.”
“This was all his idea.”
“Mmm…” she hummed and glanced at Omiri. “Babies are more dependent on moms at this age. Dads often feel left on the outside of the bonds mommies share with the child. They’re providers and protectors by nature, so sometimes their decisions come off as over the top but it’s just their way of asserting their relevance.
” She lowered her voice. “It’s never really just about the baby proofing. ”
“What do you mean?”
“Daddies need to feel relevant and like they have some type of control. Avi depends on you for the majority of her needs. Food, security, comforts. He’s protecting as a way of finding his place in all of this. Their egos are very fragile.”
I grinned and looked toward Omiri. His massive body was upright now.
Broad shoulders, massive chest spread wide, and thick solid arms that could crush a man if required.
He looked confident, intimidating, and sexy.
Not an ounce of insecurity but oddly enough I felt everything she was saying.
He didn’t belong in our world, and considering the way I purposely excluded him and his little confession about making me suffer, I could completely agree that his little ego was bruised.
“Yeah, that’s some of it but things with us are a little more complicated.”
“Here’s my unsolicited advice. Babies are complicated enough. If Mom and Dad can figure out how to stay on the same page, you’ll be a lot less stressed.” She winked then lifted the tablet.
“Okay, at this stage, the only things I truly recommend are outlet covers and cabinet locks—not just for medicine and cleaning supplies. Simple things can become a hazard. I don’t see any huge issues with needing corner guards. Your tables have smooth, rounded edges; so that’s good.”
Omiri picked the tables…
“But for the most part, our starter package will be enough. I can come back when she’s mobile and do another evaluation.
I would also like to make sure all lower level items are secure.
She’ll be pulling up on things soon and we want to make sure there’s nothing she can pull down on herself.
Once she’s crawling, you’ll want to consider safety gates.
You don’t have stairs, so that’s a plus, but definitely consider toilet locks. ”
“Makes sense.”
“Do you have any questions so far?”
I shook my head gently. “No, I agree with all of this.”
“Great, we can start with the outlet covers. I’ll walk through and begin with those if you’re okay with me moving around in here.”
I felt comfortable with her. I actually liked Carmen, which I hadn’t expected. “Nope, I’m perfectly okay with that. My room is a little messy.”
“You have a four-month-old. If your room wasn’t messy, I’d be concerned.
Oh, and maybe consider letting Dad feel like he’s in charge of all the safety stuff.
Men need to feel useful, especially when navigating what it means to be a father.
I’ll run everything by you but we can let him think he’s running this. ”
I laughed and nodded. “Deal.”
She glanced at him then back to me. “Besides, you and I both know who’s truly running things around here.”
We shared a look and responded in unison. “Avi.”
She and I burst out laughing and Omiri frowned at us but kept growling angrily at whoever he was talking to.
“That baby is going to have both of you wrapped around her tiny little fingers. It’s best to be a united front.”
By the time Omiri finished his call, Carmen was already plugging outlets in the bedroom. My phone vibrated with a text and I dug it out of the waistband of my leggings and glanced at the screen, releasing a frustrated sigh.
Caden Moore’s agent reached out asking me to fix a statement he made about the newest WNBA team. It was harmless but not a good look. When they asked his thoughts, he casually stated, “They ball better than some of the men and they’re not bad to look at either.”
Fucking idiot.
I was sure he considered it a compliment but the comment was being viewed as disrespectful and sexist. I agreed because he could have easily just delivered a statement about how talented they were.
“You good?”
“Hm?” I responded lazily, navigating to Caden’s page to check out the comments to get a feel for what I was dealing with.
“You’re frowning hard as hell. Whatever was in that text pissed you off.”
I lifted my eyes to his and noticed he was grilling the hell out of me. He actually looked mad. Oh wow, who the hell did he think texted me ?
“Yep, just men doing stupid shit.”
I walked away but could feel his attention following my movement.
When I made it to the kitchen, I stepped in front of the refrigerator to grab a bottle of water then walked to the counter where I placed my phone down so I could open it.
A few seconds later, Omiri was right behind me.
The heat from his body touched my back as he leaned over my shoulder.
“Uh, can you move please? Personal space.”
“Let me see what you’re doing first.”
“I’m minding my business. Will you move?” He was so damn close and smelled so damn good my body wasn’t happy about my request and my words also came out breathier than I liked.
“Your business is now my business since what you do involves my daughter.”
I released a laugh. “I’m working, which doesn’t have a damn thing to do with you and the only thing it has to do with Avi is allowing me the ability to pay my bills. Now will you move, Omiri?”
He chuckled and stepped back but leaned against the counter right beside me so that his arm brushed mine.
“You really have a problem with personal space, don’t you?”
“Why are you so pressed about me being close to you?”
“Because there’s no reason for you to be all up my ass.”
His smile slid into place dangerously slow and I could have died thinking about what I just said because his nasty ass was not taking it the right way.
“I’m pretty sure you can leave now. Carmen and I have figured this out and I’m sure she already has your card on file so…”
“You don’t want me to leave.”
I kept my tone level. “Yes, I do.”
He smiled sexily and leaned down, bringing his face closer to mine, causing my head to rear back. “Nah, you don’t. You like having me here.”
“I’m definitely having Avi tested because you’re truly delusional.”
He grinned. “There isn’t a damn thing wrong with me other than you’ve been annoying the shit out of me by trying to complicate something that could be really fucking simple.”
“There’s nothing simple about us or this. You’re disrupting my life, and although I’m well aware that you have the right to get to know Avi, you being here upsets the balance in my world. That’s not simple, Omiri.”
His eyes locked on my face and his jaw tightened after a few seconds like he was deep in thought. “You dating anyone?”
“My personal life is not your concern.”
“It is when whoever you’re fucking with might be around my daughter.”
“I’ll be sure to let you know when I have time for a personal life so you can run a background check on whoever I decide to date.” I groaned and closed my eyes briefly before I snatched up my phone and attempted to step around him but he moved into my path.
“Then that’s a no?”
“I’m a single mother of a four-month-old who requires all my energy and time. That’s definitely a no.”
His expression was tighter. “That shit was by choice. Your choice.”
We glared at each other with the weight of my decisions dancing around us again for what felt like an eternity before he backed down. “I’m about to head out. I’ll call to check on y’all later.”
“Just check the cameras. I know you have the information, and if you don’t see anything alarming, then we’re good.”
He smirked. “If you promise to give me something to look at I will.”
“That’s not happening because there better not be any cameras in my house.” He laughed at the look I gave him.
“Relax with your hostile ass. They’re all outside.” He smiled, slowly looking me over. “But if you want to show me a lil something, I can make sure they come back to hook up one or two in your bedroom.”
“Hard pass.”
He looked me over again and shit, the way his eyes lingered felt like a violation I didn’t necessarily mind. “I’m out, hit me up if y’all need anything.”
Omiri walked out of my house and left my mind and heart racing with things I had no damn business thinking about.
I was entirely off balance and the worst part was he had been right, I didn’t want him to leave.
And that scared the hell out of me because I liked the idea of not just having him as a part of Avi’s life. I wanted him to be a part of mine too.