Page 28 of His Secure Embrace
“And I love you. Every day with you has been nothing short of perfect.”
“Yeah, this has been some of the best moments—wait. What did you say?”
“You heard what I said.”
“Say it again.”
“I love you, Brielle.”
I turned around to straddle his lap and cupped his face in my hands. I looked into his eyes. “Say it again.”
“I love you.”
My lips pressed against his.
I didn’t say it back for another four days. He was leaving for work one afternoon and on his way out the door, I said, “Be safe. I love you,” and closed the door. He’d texted me several smirking emojis to let me know he’d heard me loud and clear.
ME:
I love you too
As I climbed out of bed, I stretched my arms above my head and grinned at the mumu I’d pulled on after James put me through the mattress before he left to meet with his sister and niece. He was off for three days and had to do some family stuff with them. He asked if I was ready to accompany him and meet his people, but I declined.
I had never felt a connection so strong, so fast, as the connection I had with James. Even if he wasn’t home, knowing he was coming back to me made my heart pound in my chest with excitement. His effect on me was unique and different.
The day was still young, so I showered and pulled on the lavender mumu with matching slippers. I grabbed my laptop and cell phone and made my way into the kitchen. I pulled up my emails before I opened the refrigerator and saw the smoothie bowl James had left for me. I grabbed it, a spoon, and made some toast. As I ate, I sang along to some music and responded to a few inquiries. I set times where I would go to differentlocations for the next few clients. I was in my zone until a knock on the door caught my attention.
“I wonder who that could be.”
I paused my music and made my way over to the door. In the three weeks I’d set up shop in James’s home, the only time there was a knock on the door was when he’d ordered something to be delivered to the door for me. He usually sent me lunch, and because we’d had a late morning, it wouldn’t surprise me if he’d ordered lunch on his way out.
I looked through the peephole but couldn’t make out the person on the other end. I unlocked the door, and the sight before me took me aback—a woman and her damn near fresh out the coochie baby awaited me.
“Um, hey? Can I help you?” I asked kindly.
“Is James here?” she asked. I took in her full appearance. She was beautiful, despite the disheveled look she had going on. She wore a stylish track suit with a pair of designer slides. The baby bag on her shoulder was expensive as well. The baby wore a cute pink onesie and a tiny bow in her head full of hair. She was a beautiful brown baby and looked just like her mother.
“No, he’s not. You can come back when he returns.”
“Can’t I come in and wait for him?” she asked.
I shook my head. “I’m not comfortable letting a stranger into his home when he’s not around.”
The woman’s bottom lip trembled. She looked visibly upset. I stepped out into the hallway and crossed my arms over my chest. “What’s your name?”
“I’m Celeste.”
“Hey, Celeste. I’m Brielle. What’s going on? Is there something I can help you with?”
She shook as she held her baby in her arms. The small child squirmed and whined but didn’t cry as her mother did.
I stood awkwardly off to the side as I watched her gather herself. She swiped the tears away and let out a few gut-wrenching sobs.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to break down like that. It’s just been really rough lately.” She whimpered.
“It’s okay. Do you want me to hold your baby? Give you a few moments to catch your breath.”
She held the baby out for me to take. With gentle movements, I cradled the baby in my arms and rocked back and forth. I eyed the baby and watched as she sucked on the pacifier almost bigger than her face.
