Page 50 of Dr. Bell

“We have five amazing young men we’re raising together. We have our careers, our home… We have each other. And we’re gon’ walk into church today showing just how dope this family is.”

He kissed my neck, then my cheek. I turned to accept his kiss on my lips. How was it even possible to fall in love this way? Especially with a man that I was still getting to know. Confusion wanted to smack the hell out of clarity. However, clarity fought back. I snagged Adir’s freshly groomed beard and brought his lips back to mine.

“If I’m dreaming, keep me there,” I whispered.

His eyes softened, and a gentle smile graced his face. “That’s the thing, my love. We’re both awake.”

My smile matched his.

“Now get ready before we’re late. Bishop Harris is good for callin’ out the late folks.”

I burst out laughing.

While I was doing so, he kissed my ear, then mumbled in my ear, “I took it easy on you last night.”

Leaning back, he looked at the expression written on my stupefied face and chuckled. His hand moved to cover my neck, and for a brief second, his grip was tight as he bit into his lip. I gasped because he could literally snatch me out of this chair if he wanted to and nothing about it scared me. Quite the opposite. I wanted him to snatch me out of this chair and carry me back downstairs to the bed.

“I have the upmost respect for you, and there’s not a damn thing I wouldn’t do for you. When it comes to makin’ love… We gon’ brand each other’s bodies in a way that daresanybodyto touch what we have. Yeah?”

There was a loud warning mixed in his statement. One that I received loud and clear. Swallowing hard, I replied, “Yeah.”

He pecked my lips and disappeared out of the bathroom with me staring after him.

Sighing, I turned back to the mirror. “Genika, girl, I get it. You can’t have my man, though.”

Long before Adir had my body under his control, he had my mind. As far as I was concerned, he’d branded me the night he saved me and my brother’s lives. So, no. I wasn’t coming off that man, and I damn sure wasn’t sharing him. Genika had better tread lightly. I wasn’t a fighter, and I hated drama. However, for Adir… I was going to get active every single time.

Two hours later, to my surprise, we walked into Greater Rock Ministries and my eyes instantly fell on a woman who favored Genika. Without the slightest misgivings, she turned her nose up at the sight of me. Adir ushered me past her without even acknowledging her. Inside the sanctuary, my eyes sought out Genika. If she was here, Adir and I would have to find another church. She was pregnant, her mouth was reckless, and I didn’t have time for it.

Servicemovedalonggreatand a few times I even caught Quilo deep in thought as he listened to Bishop Harris. The young Black man standing on the pulpit couldn’t be more than thirty years old, but he sounded well ahead of his time. After service ended, the family gathered at One Bell Place for Sunday dinner.

“I was glad to see you at church today,” Minnie said to me.

We sat at one of the patio tables situated in the backyard. The grass was cut low and thick beneath my feet. Although I wasstill in my church attire, the day was nice, so all I’d done was remove my heels. The backyard was lively with gospel playing on the sound system, the men manning the grills, and the younger family members finding anything to do accept be in grown folks’ business. Across the lawn, Quilo sat at another table with Humble and Peace. Whatever they were talking about had him laughing and enjoying himself.

My stomach rumbled viciously at the smell of ribs, chicken, and burgers being grilled. I peeped a few pans of peach cobbler resting on one of the serving tables. That was my absolute favorite desert, and I heard that Aunt Maddie made the best peach cobbler. Aunt Maddie was so sweet and pretty with her elegant church hat blocking the sun from beating down on her wrinkle-free skin. Her dog, Toast, yapped and carried on until she picked her up and sat her in her lap.

“I enjoyed service. Hopefully, I can make it more often.”

Minnie grinned. “Oh, you will. Adir normally comes once a month.” She shook her head. “Today he looked proud to be sitting there with you and the boys.”

I smiled a little too hard. “I’m happy…”

“We can tell,” Bianca stated. She cleared her throat and added, “I saw Genika approach you last night. Please don’t let her get in your head. She’s been trying to nail my brother down for years.” She rolled her eyes.

Bringing up Genika almost caused me to lose my appetite, and I was too hungry for that.

“I agree with my daughter. Women have always thrown themselves at him. He was a hardcore bachelor. Once he became a father, it all slowed down. Which is how Genika even came to be around so long. Adir refused to parade women around those boys. So, Genika was able to keep her claws in him.”

That made a lot more sense to me and somehow made me feel better about the situation.

“I knew when he refused to hire you that hereallyliked you.” Bianca shook her head and laughed. Minnie scoffed.

“What?” Her shocked expression bounced from me to Bianca and back.

Chuckling, I shrugged lightheartedly. “I may have called him a few names…” Bianca burst out laughing. “Buthe deserved it. He flat out told me that I couldn’t work for him.”

Slowly, a smile graced Minnie’s smooth, wise face. “Oh, he has itbadfor you, my dear.”

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