Page 117 of Crossing Lines

Silence lingers in the kitchen until Iree lifts her head. “I get it. You worked hard on your designs. I’m sure it hurt like hell. I would have reacted the same.”

Davia relaxes her shoulders. “I know it’s awkward right now, but I hope we can be friends again soon.”

Iree regards the both of us and sighs. “I’m happy Kross found love. You’re a good person. Seeing how he is about you made me realize what you have is real. I wish you both the best.”

Mama G hums at the counter, sounding relieved.

“Thanks, Ree,” I say, squeezing her arm.

“Plus, I love theLa Monteclothes Davia gave me, and I want more, so…”

Our laughter dissolves the tension in the air.

Cairo enters the house in his hospital scrubs, looking around at everyone. “All good in here?”

“Yeah,” Iree answers, bobbing when I look at her. “It’s all good.” She confirms with a smile at Davia.

“Cool. Dinner ready?”

“Almost,” Mama G announces.

“All right, I’ll go shower.”

We chat until it’s time to eat, and everyone helps themselves to the delicious meal. It warms my heart that Davia fits in well with my family. I’ve never felt more lucky to have met her, and I’ll always do my best to show her that.

Following dinner, we enjoy carrot cake for dessert and play cards. Davia doesn’t hold back her competitiveness, and I can tell Mama G loves that she’s herself with them.

As the night winds down, I drive her back to her apartment. She turns to me as we enter. Her eyes glisten, and I know what she’s about to say. “Kross, I think—”

“I love you. Never felt like this before. I know I love you. My heart and soul crave you, baby.”

“I was about to say that,” she whispers, smiling.

I draw her into my arms. “I said it first, so you’ll have more assurance. So you won’t be afraid to trust me with your beautiful heart.”

“I’m not. I love you.” She kisses me passionately.

“Remember that whenever I’m ramming you like a hateful savage.”

She laughs. “Even then, I’ll love you.”

Buzzing in her clutch disrupts the moment.

“Ignore it,” Davia says, kissing me again.

“It might be important,” I tell her.

“All right.” She takes out her phone and sighs. “It’s a text from my mom. She wants me to stop by on Saturday.”

FIFTY

Mom opens the door puffy-eyed. “Hey.”

“What is it?” I follow her to the sofa and sit beside her, asking again, “What’s wrong?”

Drawing a deep breath, she turns to me and says, “I ended the affair with Mike and had an abortion.”

“Oh, Mom…”

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