Page 73 of The Devoted Husband

“I just can’t believe the judge didn’t even hear us out about his nephew holding us for hours. How is that fair?”

Dante chuckled. “Fairness doesn’t matter when it comes to the law. We tried to do it the right now, and now, we’ll handle itourway.”

“And Jones wasn’t even here,” she continued, half-listening to Dante as he opened the car door for her. “He gets to not be present with no punishment, yet because we were late, the order is no longer valid? That’s dumb!” With a growl, she plopped down into the seat and crossed her arms over her chest with a pout. “I’m ready to go back to San Diego already.”

Amusement filled Dante as he closed the door and walked to the driver’s side, but Sade didn’t care if he laughed at her. She’d grown weary of trying to do things the right, peaceful way. If Jones wanted a war, they’d give him one.

Sade stared at her grandparents’ home. She had no urgency to go inside. She decided to stay with them because she didn’t want to stay at a hotel. But as she sat outside their home, her gut told her she’d be better off at a hotel. She called Dante. Hours ago, it seemed like a bearable plan for them to part ways until they moved into the apartment. While she stayed with her grandparents, he’d be with his parents. Now, she was missing the peace from being with her man already.

“Hello, Smiley,” he answered, and like always, it made her smile.

“Hi. Are you still at the house?”

“Yeah, we have everything packed up now. I think the moving company will have one more trip to the storage unit, and then, that will be it.”

“Good. I’m just glad they were able to help with the move since it was such short notice.”

“Money talks with all things.”

“Have you heard back from the apartment?”

“Yeah, the lease agent called. The application was approved, and we can look at a unit whenever you want. She said we can move in in two weeks.”

Sade sighed as she nodded. “Okay. I guess I can make it two weeks here.”

“Has something happened?”

“Not yet. I haven’t even gone inside yet. I just feel like they will give me hell about Trina’s sister. Even though it was self-defense, you know they are kind of hard on me.”

“Yeah. Well, you don’t have to stay there, Day. My parents are more than okay with you being there, and we can always get a hotel suite. It’s up to what you want to deal with less—being in a hotel again or hearing your grandparents’ mouths.”

She laughed. “You’re right about that. I’m gonna try with them first. Hopefully, not seeing me for two weeks will soften them toward me. If it doesn’t, we can go to a hotel.”

“I’m cool with that. I’m going to miss sleeping with you, though.”

“Same. I’ve gotten the best sleep of my life in your arms.”

“How about I call you when we’re done here? If they are going to give you a hard time, it will happen as soon as you walk through the door. Then you can let me know you’ve changed your mind about staying there, and I’ll get us a suite downtown.”

That made Sade chuckle. “You act like you know me so well.”

“I do. So, I’ll call you in about an hour so you can tell me to get the suite.”

“Okay, okay. I’m going to prove you wrong, but call me anyway.”

They shared declarations of love before Sade headed to the front door. She knocked then let herself in with her key. After going to the twins’ room to speak to them, she temporarily got caught up with helping them find an outfit to go to the movies later that evening. When she was done, she headed to thekitchen, where she found her grandparents reading and sipping coffee at the table.

“Hey,” she spoke, looking from one to the other.

Her grandfather’s eyes lifted from his book. As he peered at her over his glasses, Barron smiled. “You look refreshed.”

“I am. The time away was exactly what I needed.”

“How did the hearing go?”

“We were late, so it was dismissed. Jones’s nephew works for TSA and kept us at the airport for hours,” Sade shared as she sat at the table.

“So, you’ll have to start the process all over again?”

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