Page 4 of His Baby Her Gift

“I’d like to see what Carter would do if he had that information. He has a certain way of looking at you. Those glances are fleeting, but I’ve seen them.”

“I’ve never seen that,” Harlem responded.

“Girl, who the hell got the drawls?! It’s too late to be playing guessing games.”

Harlem squeezed her eyes shut. “What if I told you that it was Carter?”

“Your pregnant ass slept with Carter?!” She whispered-shouted, then covered her mouth with her hand. After Mesha thought about it for a second, her head tilted from side-to-side. “I guess it would kind of make sense.”

Harlem rubbed her forehead. “What?! No. It doesn’t make any sense. I have morals and standards. I can’t believe I slept with him.”

“Don’t you think you’re being a bit overdramatic?”

“Not really. Maybe.” Harlem stood, hoping to release her nervous energy. Then, immediately sat back down. “I’m kind of freaking out,” she whispered as if she weren’t alone.

“I can hear that.” Mesha took her time before speaking again. She wanted to make sure that she chose her words carefully. “Carter has really been there for you with Damian and during your pregnancy. I’ve come to see him as a pretty solid guy. I can understand how you two would grow close.”

“I feel so guilty,” Harlem spoke into the darkness. “Like I’m cheating or something.”

“That’s nonsense. You would never cheat on Damian.” Mesha paused. “Let me ask you something. Don’t you think Damian had an inkling that there could be something between you and Carter?”

“No. Why would Damian think that?”

Mesha didn’t miss the way Harlem kept speaking of him in the present tense. “Harlem,” she said gently. “Damian almost said as much in his letter.”

Harlem was quiet as she thought about it.

“He would want you to be happy. If being with Carter would make you happy, I think he would be all for it.”

Harlem’s brain was spinning. “You don’t think it’s weird?”

“It doesn’t matter what I think, or anyone else for that matter. How does Carter make you feel?”

Harlem didn’t say anything at first. She blew out a long exaggerated breath. “Mesh, before I answer that, I have a confession.”

“Okay. I’m listening.”

“I couldn’t have slept with Carter if I loved Damian the way I was supposed to. I wasn’t in love with him.”

It was Mesha’s turn for full transparency. “Can I be honest?”

“Yes, of course.”

“I already knew that.”

“What?” Harlem was more than surprised. “What do you mean?”

“I’ve known you for more than half my life. I knew.” Mesha said more firmly. “I know you.”

“Why didn’t you ever say anything?”

“You had your mind made up about the perfect life, and on paper Damian was your perfect man. I knew that he wasn’t, and I was pretty sure deep down you did too.”

They both remained quiet. Harlem sighed heavily. “How did you know?”

“Damian never put that sparkle in your eyes, and you never gotthatlook when you talked about him. Every woman who is in love has it. I felt like Damian was something on your list that you could check off.”

“And you never said anything?” Harlem asked.

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