“She’s good,” I say to the faces looking my way. Daniel nods.

“What’s this I hear about Dele liking to dance? I’ll test her dance moves,” Adam says.

“That shit you always pull with Declan, keeping Anne on the dance floor with you. Don’t try that shit with me,” I warn.

Daniel and Adam laugh.

“Told you he has it bad,” Daniel mocks.

“Fuck it, I do. So, keep your hands to yourself,” I add, and they laugh harder.

We spent the evening laughing and hanging out. My phone rings on FaceTime. It’s Dele.

“Hi,” I say, answering the call in the privacy of Daniel’s office.

“Hi,” she greets with a scowling face.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m just trying to understand why you have men watching me. Did you think I was cheating whenever you travel?”

“No,” I answer quickly. “That’s not why I have men watching you. They’re there to protect you. I don’t want to come back and find you injured ever again.”

“Oh,” she pauses. “Good, because with the rate at which you’ve plastered your name all over my body, I’m pretty sure my vajayjay will set off an intruder alert if any other dick goes in there.” I burst into laughter, but I like the thought of an intruder alert. And I’m glad she’s taking it with ease—better than I’d hoped.

“Are you saying I can put my personalized ring in there?” I tease.

“I’m saying your personalized ring, AKA your dick, is already in there all the time.” I laugh.

“Did you at least have fun with your friends?”

“Yeah, it was good with Jax and Vanessa before the big guy showed up, saying, ‘Mrs. Blythe, we need to get you out of here,’” she mimics his deep voice, making me laugh as she pulls her hand. “I didn’t know who he was, so I reacted.”

“It’s fine. He shouldn’t have touched you.”

“Maybe. But he jumped right on me when the gun went off, like he was taking a stray bullet for me. I felt bad for cutting him, so I treated his cut.”

“Bet he learned his lesson,” I say to her.

“Next time, let me know, so I don’t go cutting people who are there to help me.”

“Yes, Ayo mi.”

“Alright, have fun with your friends. I’m going to bed. When do you get back?”

“Tomorrow morning.”

“Good night, Luke.”

“Good night, Dele.”

Chapter 64

DELE

My second week back at work has been hectic, and my body needs to adjust to the fast pace.

My shift is over, and I’m tired. Just this once, I almost want to agree with Luke that I need to stop working and just stick with school. Luke will probably lock me up once I tell him the news that I’m pregnant, or he’ll probably allow me school only and no ER work. My nipples are tender, and I feel nauseated at almost everything lately, though I pretend and hide it well. The three tests I did today were all I needed to confirm what my body was already experiencing. I’m pregnant, and I can’t wait to tell Luke. Stella and Simon will be so happy. My body shudders as the memory of the last pregnancy creeps in.