Page 70 of My Heart Belongs to You

I hung the next painting with Summer’s advice echoing in my mind. Alexa had a fiery personality and it became a lot to handle so early in our situation. She addressed everything that bothered her, and it was draining. When she came to me about Robyn, I had to draw a line. I would never be okay with her disrespecting my best friend. We dated for only three months, which wasn’t enough time for her to be as possessive as she was over me.

“I can’t wait to see Robyn tomorrow. I’ma tell her to leave you alone.”

Summer laughed at the glare I shot at her.

“What are you doing to her hair?”

“Sew-in with a middle part.”

“How much?”

Humor filled her eyes. “Robyn gets my homegirl discount. But if you’re paying, it’ll be two-fifty.”

I shook my head. “Remind me to send it later.”

We spent the next few hours getting the nursery together. The baby shower was two weeks away and the parents-to-be anticipated a ton of gifts. They purchased his furniture and set it up, hoping to make unpacking the gifts easier. Shiloh and I were planning a surprise nesting party to help them prepare.

It was close to five by the time we finished. After breaking down the boxes and discarding them, I prepared to leave.

“I appreciate you spending the day with us,” Summer said once we reached the front door. Just as she went to open it, the doorbell rang. Her eyes widened when she saw a delivery man.

“Delivery for Summer?” he asked, his eyes bouncing between me and her.

“I didn’t order any food,” she explained while accepting the box. Summer looked at me for an explanation.

“Shiloh,” I supplied.

When Summer mentioned wanting pizza for dinner, I texted Shiloh to see if she knew Summer’s order. Next thing I knew, Shiloh sent an order confirmation. The delivery time coinciding with my departure was coincidental.

Summer beamed. “You two are the best.”

I kissed her forehead then said, “Anything for my Sunny.”

Although I was irritated when she called this morning, I had to admit spending time with her was needed. Our friendship has gone through many iterations over the years. No matter the tribulations, we came out stronger and closer. I wasn’t sure how motherhood would impact us, but I was down for the ride.

As I entered the dining room of Brie & Bordeaux, my eyes widened at the litany of people. Robyn and Opal were the focus as they posed in front of the mural Sadé painted. I scanned the room, nodding at the people I knew. A food stylist worked at the bar with Carmen and a few others. The scene felt familiar as Ray’s had done a similar shoot a year ago. Raven watched Robyn from a distance while taking pictures on her phone. Next to her was Adrienne, texting with a smile on her face.

Heat flooded my bloodstream when my gaze landed on Joseph heading toward the tasting room. With his phone to his ear, he glanced over his shoulder at Robyn. My eyes moved to her, meeting her guilt-ridden eyes. I inhaled slowly, clenching my hands, then releasing the breath. I decided to hang out with Raven and Adrienne until I could get Robyn to myself.

“Hey Nadir,” Raven said, reaching for a hug. I accepted her embrace, then did the same to Adrienne.

“How’s the shoot going?” My pulse thumped at lightning speed.

Why is he here?

Adrienne responded, but I didn’t hear her. I was too rapt by Robyn. An orange and teal scarf covered her hair and loose curls hung past her shoulders. The colors looked good next to her cinnamon brown skin. Her eyes were bright, filled with pride, and her smile radiant. For a moment, I forgot how irritated I was with her. My chest tightened and my dick throbbed. Her eyes found mine and she bit her lip. I raised an eyebrow, silently asking, “what the fuck is he doing here?”

“Are we ready to finish the food shots?” she asked the photographer.

I returned my attention to Adrienne and Raven. “Did y’all get her measurements?”

With her opening around the corner, I needed to get her gift ready. Adrienne suggested a custom chef coat, which I thought was a cool idea.

“I’m working on it,” Raven said.

“Cool,” I said, bracing myself for Robyn. She was a few steps from us with Joseph on her heels. Raven flashed Robyn a look that had her fidgeting with the hem of her shirt.

“What are y’all over here talking about?” Robyn asked no one, but her gaze locked onto mine. My heart jolted and my nostrils flared.