Page 74 of Desire

“Baby, focus on the task at hand.”

“Okay, fine, but it’s a standing offer in case you change your mind.”

She suggested I give a recent college graduate a paid internship, and I thought it was a great idea. A few hours after she posted the position on some employment sites, several applicants applied. By the end of the week, interviews were scheduled for the following week.

“It’s been a crazy couple of weeks, and it doesn’t seem like things are simmering down. However, I don’t want it to ruin our night. For the next few hours, let’s forget all this shit and enjoy the evening,” I said.

We were dressed and preparing to head to the fundraiser. All of the kids, including Azaria, were at AJ’s house because his kids were the oldest and tasked with babysitting duty.

“Sounds like the perfect plan. I’m looking forward to having some fun. Will this be one of those stiff parties with stuffy speeches and horrible music?”

“Did you forget that Onyx City is the Blackest city in the state? That’s not how we get down. C’mon, Mark is outside.”

I took her hand and helped her down the stairs. She summoned me for a selfie when we got to the front door. While she looked into the camera, I looked at her.

“We are a beautiful couple,” she commented.

“I agree. Now let’s go.”

Smooth jazz played through the speakers as we rode through the streets of my city. I watched Desire as she texted away on her phone, fingers moving a mile a minute. She looked stunning in a flowy, floor-length, plum-colored dress. Her hair was in an updo with loose strands strategically placed.

The last time I’d seen her face made up to this extent was on our wedding day, and my mind returned to that day. It was crazy how confident I was in my decision, considering the situation. Almost two months later, you couldn’t tell me our relationship wouldn’t stand the test of time.

“Who are you texting? I’m starting to get jealous,” I told her.

“No reason to be jealous of your nephew. I was checking on Ria.”

“You’ve been checking on her every thirty minutes since we dropped her off.”

“You got a problem with that?”

“Nah, baby. Do your thing. How is she?”

“You know she has everyone wrapped around her finger, including her new cousins.”

“Yeah, I don’t know what my baby’s gonna do when she becomes a big sister and is no longer the baby.”

“She’ll adjust. Before we left Little Black Pearl, she was the best helper ever. I think she’ll be fine when that time comes.”

“I hope so. It looks like we’re here. You ready to pose and smile pretty?”

“Do I look okay? How’s my makeup? Do I need more lipstick?”

“Baby, calm down. You’re perfect.”

I leaned forward to kiss her lips, and she turned to give me her cheek. She didn’t want to mess up her lipstick, so I didn’t give her too much flack.

“I’m gon’ let you slide so we don’t mess up your lipstick, but next time I want those lips, gimme those lips,” I warned her.

“Which lips are you referring to, Mayor Harris?”

My dick twitched. “Both sets.”

She blushed and gently pushed me away. While I exited on one side of the truck, Mark opened the door for Desire and helped her out. I offered her my arm when I reached her, and she hooked hers through it. Cameras began to flash like lightning bolts.

“Let’s do this,” she declared before we exchanged a fist bump.

It took thirty minutes to make it inside after posing for what seemed like hundreds of pictures. We posed together and separately, and of course, the reporters wanted to ask questions. After graciously answering a few, we made it inside, where only select media outlets were allowed.

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