Page 9 of Falling for Lucifer
“What you over there smiling about?” Yasmine asked. When Ellodie’s eyes found the small square with Yasmine’s face, she realized her cousin’s eyebrows had hiked damn near to her hairline.
“Nothing. I should get going. Harley will be here any moment.” Ellodie rushed her cousin off the phone because shewanted to keep Lucifer close to her heart for now. She wasn’t even sure anything would come of their introduction, but he would for sure be a part of her story for the rest of her life. “Love you. I’ll call you later.”
Ellodie hung up the phone before Yasmine could respond. She knew she would get an earful later about that stunt. Just as she tossed her phone to the side, the doorbell rang. She wanted to straighten up a bit before Harley got there, but it looked like that was no longer an option. She looked around the open living room at all the baby things strewn about and shrugged. She figured Harley had seen her vagina many times. A messy home shouldn’t embarrass her.
She shuffled to the door and opened it. Shock filled her as her eyes went completely over Harley’s head and landed onhim.
“Lucifer.” She whispered his name without even realizing it.
A lopsided smirk formed on Lucifer’s face. “Ellodie.”
“My friends call me Ello,” she replied, still dazed that he stood at her front door. It was then that she realized she had a crush on Lucifer. She hadn’t had a crush since she was a damn teenager, but the giddiness that filled her just from the sight of him let her know exactly what was up.
“Everyone calls me Lu,” he reminded.
They gazed at each other for several long seconds before Harley cleared her throat. She stood at the same short ass height as Ellodie and right in front of her, but somehow, Ellodie forgot Harley was even there.
“I’m so sorry. I’m being rude. Come on in.” Ellodie stepped to the side to allow them entry into her home. “I didn’t have time to straighten up. Etta has made herself right at home, I swear. Her stuff is everywhere.”
Ellodie hurried behind them, picking up baby blankets, pacifiers, and baby wipes along the way.
“It’s all good. We aren’t here to judge your home, which is lovely, by the way,” Harley replied.
Ellodie watched as Harley stretched her back before rubbing her stomach and wincing slightly. She remembered how uncomfortable those last weeks in pregnancy were, and she wondered why Harley was even working still.
“Harley, sit down. Why are you even here? You should be at home relaxing.” Ellodie ushered her toward the couch as she spoke.
Harley waved her off as she sat down with a sigh. “You’re the last client I have. I wanted to make sure I followed up with you before officially starting maternity leave.”
Ellodie nodded. She didn’t quite understand because she stopped working two months ago. It got to a point where being on her feet and continuing her busy career was too much for her. Since she could afford to take plenty of time off, she did. Her baby daddy stressed her out enough. She didn’t need her career adding to it.
When she was sure Harley was settled, Ellodie glanced over at Lucifer. “And what are you doing here, sir?”
“I told you I was gon’ check you out. Where baby girl at?”
Ellodie’s eyes swept over his hulking frame. He wore all black and looked comfortable in his joggers. It made her feel better about her black leggings and oversized graphic tee with the Rugrats on it.
Ellodie put her hands on her hips and arched her brow, but a sly smile covered her heart-shaped lips. “Did you come here to see me or her?”
Matching her energy, he crossed his arms and grinned at her. “Both y’all.”
“Ello, how are you feeling?” Harley asked, interrupting them.
Ellodie turned to face Harley and absentmindedly placed her hand on her stomach before she remembered there was nolonger a bump. There was a slight pudge, but she knew her flat stomach would be back in no time. “I’m . . . fine. Physically, I mean. I’m good physically. I mean, my breasts hurt, but when I pump, it’s better. Other than that, mentally has been . . .” She glanced over at Lucifer and wondered how much she should say in front of him. Then she remembered he had been with her during the most vulnerable and important moment of her life and decided him knowing her feelings wouldn’t do any harm. “It’s been hard. I feel sad a lot and lonely.”
She looked at the ground when she said that last part.
“That’s normal, honey,” Harley encouraged. “When does Yasmine get back?”
“A few more days.”
“And have you talked to your parents at all?” Harley asked.
Ellodie stiffened. She hadn’t. Her mother called her a few times, but Ellodie hadn’t answered. If Kamilah wanted to see her daughter or granddaughter, she would pop up at her house. All her mother wanted was to berate Ellodie more and remind her of how much of a fuck up she was in her eyes.
Her father not reaching out surprised her. Of course, she could have called him, but she knew with him always came her mother. She typically avoided him for that reason. It sucked for her, because if her mom wasn’t in the way, she knew she would be such a daddy’s girl.
“No.” Elodie kept her response short.
