Page 15 of Maceo

“Because I knew we were going to miss an epic turnup later. You’ve celebrated with the Dillingers before. You know they be lit as hell.”

She nodded. “True.” She looked out onto the dance floor when Deuce was cutting in to dance with Ms. Stephanie. “That man loves his mama.”

“They all love that woman. Sometimes I think Maceo may like her more than his own mama.”

She giggled. “Well, she did say they all spent a lot of time at her house. Plus, she and Mr. Dillinger were together off and on the most out of all his baby mamas.”

“I was half expecting that man to cry and object today.”

“Oh, girl, Deuce had already laid down the law to him. He knew to come correct.”

“Your husband swears he’s the boss of everybody,” I said, turning Darlyn to face me. “Why is your daddy so bossy, pud?” I asked, kissing her chubby cheeks.

She made the cutest baby noises in response, and it just made me smile. I loved this little girl so much. She was such a light in a dark place.

“I can’t wait to have one of these,” I thought aloud.

“A baby?”

“Yes.”

“Girl, pregnancy is overrated. Imagine that big ol’ head coming out of your coochie, potentially ripping you open. It’s very ghetto.”

I laughed. “But look at this face!” I placed Darlyn cheek to cheek with me. “How could you not want another one?”

Salima smirked and rolled her eyes. “Idowant another one, and her daddy has been actively trying to give it to me.”

“I bet. Speaking of which, my man owes me some money because he bet me that you would be pregnant at your six-week checkup.”

Salima’s mouth dropped. “No he didn’t!”

“He sure did. I told him, my girl has more restraint than that.”

“That’s why you’re my girl. You believe in me.”

“Of course I do!”

“What are y’all over here gossiping about?”

We looked up to see Maceo strolling toward us. Damn, my man was looking good in his tux. With his locs hanging in long, rope twists, he was looking like I just wanted to take his fine ass up out of here.

“I heard you were making bets on my womb,” Salima answered.

He grinned. “Come on, sis. It was all in good fun.”

“Mm-hmm. Whatever.”

“DD, tell your mama not to act like that,” he said, pinching Darlyn’s cheek. “I came to steal my woman.”

“Why? You two going to fornicate?”

“See how you tried to play us? I just wanna dance with her sexy ass. Go on and hand my niece over and bring that ass here.”

Salima covered her mouth. “Oop! I guess you heard what daddy said.”

I kissed baby girl before handing her over. Maceo reached for my hand, and I happily slipped my palm in his. A few other guests had begun flooding the dance floor, so we joined them. The smooth sounds of Aaliyah’s “At Your Best” filled the air as he pulled me into his arms.

One thing I could say about this man, he would dance to anything with me. It could be rap, R&B, or country music. If we could vibe to it, we were gonna dance. I couldn’t help but smile up at him as we swayed from side to side.

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