12. Emerald #2
“I just want to do what’s best for Jury. Us getting along is a plus for her. I want her to know I’ll always be there for you and for her.” Juke paused and took a moment before speaking again.
I could tell something was weighing on him, and when his gaze lifted from the liquor in his glass to my eyes, something shifted.
“I have regrets . . . about the way I handled things with us. I wish I could take things back or do them again. Be there for you the way I should have been. You lost so much so fast . . . I don’t know how I thought you could just hold it all together.
I can’t say I wouldn’t have spiraled if the shit had happened to me.
” He sat forward and placed his glass on the table.
“So this is my apology, Em. No games or gimmicks either. I wanted more than anything to be able to talk to you alone and express that. I thought you deserved it after everything. Regardless of what we go through or who we’re with, we’re linked for life through Jury.
I’d rather she see the good from us than the bad. ”
“Damnit, Juke.” I reached for a napkin and fought the tears stinging my eyes. “You can’t just come here and say shit like that. I was prepared to hate you for life.”
Throwing his head back, he chortled.
“That’s impossible, Emerald. You know I’m that nigga.”
“Whatever,” I grumbled, dabbing at the corners of my eyes with the napkin. “I guess there is something you should know though, since we’re being open and mending fences and shit.”
“What’s going on?” Concern flitted across his face.
“Well, it’s about me and this situation with the condo and everything. It kind of comes with my money opportunity. I guess that’s what I would call it. It’s not really a job. Not a traditional one anyway.”
“Em, you talking in circles.” Juke held up a hand. “Just hit me with the facts.”
“I have been chosen as a candidate to be a surrogate for a couple,” I blurted out.
He stroked his mustache, occasionally glancing at me while tipping his head from one side to the other. I could see him processing the shit before clasping his hands together in front of him.
“Are you already pregnant?”
“No. Implantation is tomorrow. I’ve already signed the contract, and I’ve been on the hormones for the allotted time. Tomorrow is the big day, and then if I get pregnant, I’ll of course do everything to carry to term, and this couple will become parents while I collect a check.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“You could tell me I’m crazy . . . again,” I responded with weariness. “I know how it sounds.”
“It is crazy, but it doesn’t surprise me. You’re selfless like that, Em. A lot of people can’t see past how fine you are to even peep that about you,” Juke broke down, shocking the hell out of me.
“You just trying to get some ass?” I teased, narrowing both eyes and watching him buckle with laughter.
“Nah, for real. It’s one of your best . . . most hidden qualities.”
“Now I know you on some bullshit because you’ve given me way too many compliments. Call Ashley and talk to your girl. I’m going to use the bathroom and get these two so we can check out.” Shaking my head, I winked at Juke while bringing myself to my feet.
He picked up his phone and did what I told him as I made my way to the ladies’ room about ten steps past him and our table.
I used the bathroom, washed my hands, and within five minutes was headed back to our section.
While approaching our table, Sapphire, Jury, and Juke were heading my way, ready to go.
Something in the air shifted, and a faint but very familiar fragrance snatched my attention.
When I turned, I bumped right into a colorfully tattooed chest with a large gold M medallion hanging off a chain. Ivo.
My gaze shifted from his chest and up into his somber, rich bronze eyes, now burning a hole through me.
“What are you doing here?” I questioned, but before he could answer, my daughter’s angelic little voice stole my attention.
“Mommy, Mommy. I got you the strawberry swirl cheesecake!” Jury jumped up and down with a little to go box in her hand.
“Thank you, baby girl. You know I love my cheesecake.”
“Yup! We can eat our dessert tonight while we watch Inside Out ! One and two!” Jury suggested.
“That sounds like a plan!” I grinned and draped an arm over her shoulder.
She finally noticed the handsome, very intense stranger in front of us and craned her neck to scope Ivo.
“Who are you?”
“Jury, this is Ivo. He’s an old friend of mine. We just ran into each other when I came from the bathroom.” I studied his stoic expression before his eyes rolled down to Jury, peering up at him curiously.
Something softened in his gaze, and I swear a small smile teased his mouth too, but he was trying to hide it as Staten and Brick appeared behind him.
“Nice to meet you, Jury.” Ivo held out a hand, and she took it and gave him a little shake. “Your mama been talking you up. She was very excited about your visit. I hope you’re enjoying your room at her house.”
“I love it!” Jury rocked on her heels. “Everything is purple and sparkly like I like it.”
“That’s what’s up.” Ivo looked at me, still half smiling.
I wasn’t sure how he would interact with Jury, but it seemed so natural. She wasn’t afraid of him, and he instantly knew how to talk to her.
“This is Juke, Jury’s daddy. You and Sap already know each other.”
Ivo extended a hand to Juke, and the two of them shook and nodded, but studied each other in a way that was very man-coded.
It was as if they already knew what it was and were trying to establish some kind of mutual respect.
I damn sure didn’t need any more drama.I wasn’t sure how Juke would even know, aside from the way Ivo’s eyes soaked me in.
He did that shit like I was the only woman in the room.
“Nice to meet you. I’ll let y’all get back to what you doing.”
“I’m actually about to head out to the airport,” Juke spoke up, which caused my neck to rear. “My bags are still in the car and I ain’t checked into a hotel or nothing.”
“I thought you were going to stick around and keep tabs on me.”
“Nah. You got it. I don’t want no smoke, Em. You’re her mother. You deserve this time together. All I ask is that you call me if you need anything or she needs anything.”
“So Ashley is waiting on you then?” I mocked.
“Here you go.” Juke rolled his eyes and stepped forward. “Jury, be good for your mama, OK. I’ll see you in three weeks.” He kissed her all over her face before delivering a final endearing peck to her forehead.
When he approached me, he gave me a quick embrace and kissed my cheek.
“Take care of our girl.”
“You know I will. But what you mean three weeks?” I whispered.
“Just . . .accept the gesture, Em. After this visit, I’ll get with my lawyer so we can petition the judge for joint custody. Sapphire, see you around, stay on your game!” Juke chucked the deuces and moved past us while slipping his phone into his jeans pocket.
“Yo, that nigga on a pussy mission!” Brick hollered boisterously.
“Em, here’s your jacket and purse.” My brother approached with my things.
“Well, shit, Juke drove us here.” I dug my cell out of my purse. “I guess we’ll catch an Uber home.”
“No, you won’t.” Staten cleared his throat and placed his hands on his brother’s shoulders. “This nigga will take you.”
“I’m not trying to put nobody out?—”
“Emerald, mama, please save that shit for somebody else,” Brick mocked. “We out, bro. Hit us up if you need us.” He dapped Ivo up along with Staten, and the two of them headed to the door.
“My car is parked in the lot. Come on.” Ivo bobbed his head toward the entrance, and I grabbed my daughter’s hand and trailed him along with my brother.
“This a nice car!” Jury bounced along beside me when we stopped at Ivo’s Range Rover.
He hit the button on his fob, and the lights flickered while the doors unlocked.
Ivo went to the back door for Jury first, opening it for her and helping her inside while Sapphire walked around to the other door to join her in the back.
He got her buckled in safely, and she whispered thank you cutely to him as he closed the door and reached for the handle to mine.
“Thank you.” I bowed my head and got into the passenger seat. Usually, he was bumping some trap music, so when Ella Mai started to croon through the speakers, I simpered and glanced at him as he settled in the driver’s seat.
“On a slow jam kick?” I teased.
“Something like that. Been trying to keep my thoughts off trap shit. Brick hooked me up with his playlist.”
“What he know about Ella Mai?” I jested.
Ivo started the car, and we pulled off the lot.
The drive to the condo went by pretty fast. Jury talked most of the time, and by the time we were pulling up, she was yawning and fighting to stay awake.
I knew once she had a bath and her pajamas, it would be over.
I missed the nightly routines with her so much that I was looking forward to it.
Ivo parked and shut the engine off. He turned in his seat and caught Jury dozing off with her head against the seat.
“She’s beautiful,” he complimented.
“Thank you. I’m thinking about keeping her,” I cackled. “She’s a little chatty though.”
“Like you ain’t,” he retorted, which left Sapphire snorting when he laughed.
“I mean, he got a point, sis.”
“Shut up and get out of the car,” I ordered with an eyeroll.
“I can get her and take her up if you want,” Ivo offered.
“Please do. She’s heavier than she looks.”
We reached the condo, and Sapphire said goodnight and went right to his bedroom while typing away on his phone.
I kicked off my shoes, leaving them in the front entry by the door, and dropped my purse on the accent table before padding inside.
Ivo moved right past me and carried Jury toward the stairs with me in tow.
He pushed the door open to her room and walked her right over to her little canopy bed and laid her across the top.