Page 35 of What I Needed

“You're about to shower and dive into a book?”

She laughed. “You think you know me, but that’s exactly what I’m about to do, after I cancel and reschedule my date with Donovan.”

“Don’t reschedule,” I mumbled before I could stop myself.

“What did you say?”

Thankfully, she was already walking away when the words spilled from my mouth.

“Nothing. Have a good rest of your night.”

She disappeared up the stairs while I came up with a plan to make her forget about Donovan. The thought of her entertaining another nigga bothered me in ways I didn’t understand.

Erissa wasn’t my woman, and I wasn’t sure I wanted her to be, but I knew damn well I didn’t want her to be with anyone else. It didn’t make sense, but it was the truth.

“Girl, this house is beautiful. Can I take pictures?” Shakira asked when she entered River’s home.

“Kira, hell no, you can’t take pictures. You’re lucky he was cool with you coming over, considering the two of you haven’t met.”

She rolled her eyes.

“First of all, I was kidding. Give me a little credit. I do have a little couth. Secondly, I should’ve met him weeks ago. Why wouldn’t he be cool with your best friend visiting? He can’t keep you holed up in here away from the rest of the world forever.”

“The rest of the world ain’t thinking about me. Just you and possibly Sammie because I’m your best friend. I made lunch, but before we eat, let me introduce you to Riverlynn.”

We went to the family room, and Riverlynn was babbling away in her bouncer, trying to get the hanging toys that were still out of her reach.

“Hey, Rivvy! We have a visitor,” I said as I took her out of the bouncer.

Anytime someone picked her up, her excitement went through the roof. She flailed her little arms and legs while showing all her gums.

“Oh my goodness. She’s even more adorable in person.” Shakira gushed.

“She is, and she’s such a sweet baby. I really enjoy spending my days with her. Taking care of her is so different from taking care of my grandparents. As much as I loved them and would do it all over again in a heartbeat, Rivvy brings me so much joy. I kinda feel guilty because I enjoy taking care of her much more than I did taking care of my grandparents.”

“Your grandparents were sick, and seeing them deteriorate right before your eyes had to be hard. Rivvy is full of life and, prayerfully, has a full life ahead of her. It’s different, friend. Don’t feel guilty. Plus, being around River’s fine ass makes it even better.”

I released a deep breath because Lord knew I’d been lusting over that man something terrible. He was literally the man of every woman’s dreams.

“Kira, I’m trying to be a good girl, but damn, it’s hard. Let me give you a tour.”

We continued to converse as she followed me through the house.

“What have I told you every time we’ve talked since you took this job?”

“Bust it wide open for a real nigga.”

“Why aren’t you listening to your best friend?”

“Because River’s mother told me not to let him charm me out of my panties. I’ve been doing my best, but damn, my resolve is weakening. When he invited me to hang out by the pool and ended up giving me my first swim lesson, it was torture.”

“I’m sure it was, because I know being close to a man that fine, with both of you wearing next to nothing, and not sitting on his face or dick takes a lot of strength. Oh my God. The nursery looks even better in person.”

“This is my favorite room in the house. I’m pretty sure the first night I was here, and all those nights that he disappears, he had someone else sitting on his face.”

River hadn’t come home as late as he did on my first night of work. Most days, he arrived home before dinner, and when he didn’t, he told me practice ran late when he was actually meeting up with his women.

Unfortunately for him, he could rarely go out without ending up in the gossip blogs, so his lies were unnecessary and annoyed me even more than his absence. He wasn’t my man, and he was paying me very well to take care of his daughter. I’d been annoyed about River dipping off to hook up with his jump-offs, but knew I had no right to be, so I hadn’t shared my feelings with my best friend.