Chapter 19
CHAPTER
NINETEEN
“Damn, Shiloh. Did you call and ask for the biggest floral arrangement they had?”
Shiloh laughed as the florist approached us with an elaborate bouquet of sunflowers and white ranunculus. It was so big that it covered the florist’s face and torso.
“Summer deserves it.”
I looked out the window to find Marquis wheeling the bookshelf onto the sidewalk. He’d wrapped it in furniture pads and bubble wrap for protection. The drive to Summer and Ryder’s house was less than ten minutes, but I appreciated him for being thorough.
“Thanks again for all your help,” Shiloh said, accepting the arrangement from the florist.
“Anytime,” he replied, smiling at her longer than necessary.
I took the flowers from Shiloh as we exited the shop. As we crossed the street, I caught Mel jogging our way. He pulled his headphones off and slowed his strides.
“Wassup my guy,” was his greeting to me. I dapped him up after placing the flowers in the passenger seat. He hugged Shiloh, then we moved to my trunk to assist Marquis with lifting the bookshelf. After laying it flat, Marquis pushed it inside.
“This the bookshelf?” Mel asked while wiping sweat from his brow.
“Yup. We’re about to drop it off along with the world's biggest floral arrangement.”
Shiloh laughed from the sidewalk. “I heard that.”
Marquis spoke lowly. “I told her it was too much.”
“You know these women don’t listen,” Mel said while shaking his head.
“Where are you headed to after your run? You should stop by Sunny’s.”
Mel frowned. “Can’t. Meeting up with Cai.”
“He's in town?”
“Just passing through. I’m meeting him in D.C.”
Mel’s younger brother Cairo hardly visited home these days. I suspected it was because he wasn’t over Summer. Seeing her happy and treated well really fucked with him. I found it ironic since he was the one who’d ruined their relationship and any chance of them being amicable.
“Cool. Well, I’ll see you tonight.”
“No doubt. Tell Sunny and Ry I said wassup. I can’t wait to eat their baby shower meatballs tomorrow.”
Mel rubbed his hands together before continuing his jog down the block.
The mention of food and the shower caused Robyn to cross my mind.
She was at B one arm wasn’t enough.
“I know. That’s why I got this big ass bouquet to go on top of it.” When Summer opened the door, her facial expression went from confusion to surprise.
She kissed Shiloh on the cheek then tugged my hair. “What are the two of you up to?”
“Oh, nothing. Just wanted to surprise the parents-to-be before the baby shower,” Shiloh explained with a smile.
Ryder appeared from behind the door, nodding his greeting to us.
“Hey, man. Can you help me grab something from the trunk?”
Shiloh and Summer went inside, probably to set those heavy ass flowers down. I knew they’d return so Shiloh could grab the other part of our gift. As the trunk lifted, Ryder sighed.
“What have you, Shi, and Marq been up to?”
I chuckled. “Something you’ll love, trust me.”
Ryder led me up the walkway to the stairs. Just as I reached the top, I saw Shiloh going to her car.
“Thanks again for coming to 8Ball,” Ryder said after we placed the bookshelf onto the ground.
“It was cool to kick it with y’all. I hadn’t played pool in a minute.”
After leaving Robyn’s friends and family night, I met up with him and his friends at 8Ball. We played a few games of pool, drank a couple pitchers of beer, and talked shit. It was a chill but fun night overall.
“I ain’t know you played pool, man. It was nice having worthy competition.”
I laughed. “Sunny told me you’ve never beat her.”
“Come on, I let her win. I like hearing her talking shit.” He smiled.
“Lies!” Summer yelled as she entered the room. “He literally cannot beat me at pool.”
“Wait until baby boy gets here...I’ll show you.”
Summer smirked while walking toward Ryder. “What are you gonna show me?”
Before they went any further, Shiloh said, “Y’all can finish all that after we leave.”
“Please,” I added.
I began unwrapping the bookshelf while Summer and Ryder watched with heady anticipation.
“Growing up, we read a lot of books, and I know how much those library trips meant to you. I hit up Marq to help me build a quality bookshelf for baby boy. And we’ve got him some books to start. When he’s old enough, I'll take him to the library too.”
Summer gasped once I removed the furniture pad.
She ran her hand along the top of the shelf.
I went on to share the details of the bookcase and showed the hooks on the back to anchor it to the wall.
Shiloh opened the box of books we’d purchased to fill the first shelf.
In lieu of cards, we asked baby shower guests to bring a book.
“This is so thoughtful.” Summer’s nose reddened and her eyes watered.
Ryder nodded, still taking in the bookshelf. “Seriously. Thanks, fam.”
He hugged Shiloh and bumped fists with me. I hugged Summer and teased her for being a crybaby.
“You know I’m a ball of emotions.” She slid her hands down her cheeks while laughing. Ryder kissed her forehead.
“Tomorrow is going to be so much fun,” Shiloh said while wiping her eyes.
“Since you’re here, you can see my dress.” Summer pulled her toward their bedroom.
The subject change gave me an out. Ryder saw me out and thanked me once more at the door. I checked my phone just as I reached my car. A smile covered my face when I saw Robyn had finally answered.
ROBYN:
As soon as you’re free...
NADIR:
OMW.
“Am I interrupting something?” I wondered as I moved through the dining room. The tables had been rearranged into one long rectangle in the middle. Carmen and others set the tables with dishes and silverware. I looked up and caught Carmen staring at me amusedly.
“Family dinner. Well, technically lunch,” she explained, then laughed.
I nodded. “Ah. Who's cooking?”
Carmen shot me a look. “Who else?”
With that, I continued to the kitchen where I spotted Robyn and Adrienne stirring two large pots of rice. Adrienne saw me first and smiled. Robyn turned, her eyes lighting up when she saw me. After turning off the fire and removing the pot from its eye, she took off her apron.
“Hi, my darling.” She melted into me. Burying my face into her neck, I groaned. I craved her in the worst way. “Come on.” She took me by the hand and walked us to her office.
The door had barely shut before I pressed her back against it.
Our lips met hungrily. The moment we kissed, a surge of heat engulfed me.
I pushed my body against hers; our tongues tangled and hands roamed each other’s bodies.
Robyn gripped my shoulders then slid her hands down my biceps.
Her gentle touch mixed with her soft moans made this electrifying.
Chills shot through me as I deepened our kiss.
I met her vigor, grabbing her ass with one hand and using the other to go underneath her shirt.
My groin tightened and my pulse raced. She giggled against my lips from my feather light touch.
“Did you get your fill?” I asked before sucking her bottom lip.
She groaned then pulled away. “No, but it’ll do for now.”
I smiled. “Aight. I’ll let you get back to work.”
“No, stay and eat."
Backing away, I gave her room to wipe the corners of her mouth and adjust the teal scarf on her head.
“Nah, I don’t want to intrude on your bonding with your team.”
Robyn walked toward me and reached for a loose dread.
While twirling it around her finger, she said, “It’s family dinner. Anyone I consider family is welcomed. Raven and Sadé are coming too.” She pouted and looked at me with those alluring honey eyes. “Stay, Nadir.”
Shaking my head, I said, “You know I can’t say no to you.”
“So, don’t.” Robyn released my hair and grabbed my hand. After deciding that I was staying, she walked me to the dining room. “My darling, you know I love feeding you.”
I licked my lips; flashbacks of the other day came to mind. “And you know I love to eat.”
Mel walked over to me with two plates in hand and a smile on his face. “Robyn knows how to throw down.”