Page 5 of His Baby Her Gift

“What was I supposed to say? I don’t think it would have made a difference. Sometimes we have to find our own way. You have to find yours. I hate that it took Damian’s death to free you from that idea of the perfect life. Nothing is perfect. Sometimes things are downright messy.”

Harlem closed her burning eyes and massaged her temples. “Carter scares me.”

“That is supposed to happen when two people fall-in-love.” Mesha smiled inwardly.

“I didn’t say all that.”

Mesha recognized the signs but again decided to keep her mouth shut. “What are you going to do about it?”

Harlem blew out a breath. “I don’t know. I should probably make a list and jot down the pros on one side and cons on the other.”

“You and those damn lists!” Mesha wanted to shake her. “Girl, how does Carter make you feel?”

Harlem searched for the right words. “He makes my heart race.”

“That’s good.”

“He gives me hella butterflies.”

“Okay. What else?”

“He can look at me in a way that makes me feel as if nothing in the world is more important than I am, and it makes me want to melt.”

Mesha was happy for her friend. Harlem was definitely falling-in-love. “Aww . . . that’s a good thing, Harlem. Don’t run from it.”

“What will our friends think?”

“Who cares? You have never lived your life based on what others think. Don’t start now.”

“That’s true. I guess I’m just nervous.”

“Can you tell me what I really want to know?”

“What’s that?”

“Was the sex good?” Mesha giggled.

Harlem’s eyes rolled into the back of her head at the thought. “So good.” After talking it out with Mesha, Harlem felt a little lighter.

“Damn, girl. If Carter has you sounding like this, I say go for it and do it without any guilt.”

“You don’t think it’ll be strange?”

“Maybe at first, but screw anybody that might have something slick to say. Love is hard to find. If you think you can have it with Carter, then see where it goes. I totally support you.”

“I love you, Mesha. Thanks for helping me think this through.”

“One more thing–”

“What?”

“We might want to keep this on the low low from Charisma. In her mind, that’s her man.” They both chuckled, knowing that Charisma would feel the same way as Mesha. She would totally support Harlem in whatever it was she wanted to do.

Chapter 3

Carter was antsy. He needed to burn off some energy, so he met up with a friend at the gym for some two-on-two basketball.

They played a couple of games and were both hot and sweaty. “You’re getting out of shape, old man.” Carter teased as he slapped Nate on the back.

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