Page 114 of Ony If It's You
After seeing who it was, I tightened the belt to my robe and rushed to the door. I wasn’t expecting company and wasn’t sure how her being here would be accepted, but I couldn’t leave her outside.
“Ms. Phyllis?” I said when I pulled the door open and stepped aside to allow her to come in. “What are you doing out this late?”
“I’m looking for JV, I really need to talk to him. I’ve been calling and I’ve been patient; I can’t wait any longer.”
We made our way to the kitchen and I put my teapot on the stove so that I could fix her some. It was a little cool out since it was so late at night, plus she looked like she needed something that would calm her.
“Well, I’m sorry Ms. Phyllis, but he’s not here. He had a paid appearance at Black Diamonds tonight.”
“Oh.” She looked a little defeated when she looked away, but quickly recovered when she put her eyes back on me, specifically my belly. A wide smile spread across her face despite how I was sure she was really feeling. “Your stomach has grown overnight. May I?” she asked pointing to my midsection.
“Of course.” I nodded, stepping closer.
“Wow, it seems like just yesterday that you guys told me you were expecting.”
“I know.” I smiled. “I can’t wait to find out what we’re having.”
“How far along are you now?”
“Four months. I wanted to do bloodwork to find out the gender and have a gender reveal, but your so—Javyous prefers to see our little one on screen.”
I had to catch myself when I referred to JV as her son although that was who he was. She was here because he had been refusing to talk to her, but her mood had shifted talking about the baby, so I’d wanted to keep her spirits lifted.
“Sounds like him. He has never been one for different things. He likes simplicity and doing things the old school way.”
“Tell me about it.” I playfully rolled my eyes before setting a mug in front of her then sliding onto the empty barstool beside her with a mug of my own. I was still exhausted, so drinking thiswarm tea would definitely have me right back in bed by the time she left.
The two of us sat around talking for the next few hours. I filled her in on the progress of the kids and all that had been going on in my world. I had recently gotten a warehouse and was able to hire a team of trusted employees to help me make my products.
JV had basicallymademe take the leap of faith to make it happen. I had been complaining about how stressed out it made me and how tiring the entire process was, so he put fire under my tail to get the warehouse. It was truly one of the best decisions that I could have made. I had started selling a lot more products from my JoSi line.
“I’m so proud of you, baby.” She gave me warm smile as she touched my hand.
“Thank you.”
“No, thank you.” She gave the same hand a light squeeze. “Thank you for keeping my secret. Pres told me about the blow up that you and Javyous had behind it, so for that I owe you an apology, but I’m very grateful that you didn’t out me.”
“Of course. I’m just sorry that you guys are in this weird space.”
“That’s my fault, not yours. I just want him to let me explain.”
I felt bad knowing that Javyous was being so mean to her. He was stubborn as hell and for sure not going to talk to her unless he wanted to. His mean streak was horrible. I really wished there was something that I could tell her and give her hope, but there was nothing. I wasn’t going to get in the middle of the situation again. I didn’t want to argue with my man anymore.
It had gotten later than either of us had noticed, so I suggested that I walk her to the door. She helped me get the kitchen straightened up since I’d also eaten my leftovers. I washungry and kind of regretting not letting JV get me anything else when he’d offered.
As soon as Ms. Phyllis reached for the door, the knob was turning and the door was being pushed open. My heart started to pound in my chest as I looked over at the digital clock on the stove. I knew it was late, but not this late.
“Fuck is going on here?” JV’s handsome face twisted into scowl as soon as he appeared, holding a food container in his hand. I felt bad for being elated about him having food because I knew now wasn’t the time, but I could already taste the lemon pepper wings that I knew he had. “Kehlani.”
“Oh, hey baby.” I was nervous as hell as I walked over and lifted my body onto my tippy toes to kiss his lips. He was eyeing me with a frown but reciprocated the kiss and handed me the box.
“I been calling and texting your fucking phone. I figured you may have been asleep since you weren’t answering me but you in here running your mouth.”
“I’m sorry babe, my phone is in the room. Is this mine?” I pointed to the food.
“Naw, but you can have it, here.” I took the food and headed back to the kitchen with him in tow. “You can let yourself out.”
“Javyous.” I turned to face him. “Stop it.”
