Page 49 of Truce Of The Matter

“Sorry. Good morning.”

“Is MJ up?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Then see if he can fix you some cereal. If not, I’ll get up.”

“Okay.”

A few seconds later, Monae sighs. “Whenever you want to come get your godchild for a few days, she’ll be ready.”

“Unless you and Just have plans for the kids, I was going to get them a few days for spring break.”

“No plans,” she says quickly. “Did I hear you say for the whole spring break?”

“You did not,” I say then laugh.

“Girl, she’s back. Let me get up. Send me a picture before you head out tonight.”

“I will.”

We end the call and I get up. It’s nine-thirty and I need to get ready. I clean my kitchen, reheat my latte, then rush into my room. Ten minutes later, I’m dressed and heading to get Daija. My dad’s car isn’t in the driveway again and that makes me smile.

When I start to enter my unlock code in the door, it opens. Daija is standing on the other side and her two bags are at her sides.

“You’re ready ready,” I comment and she nods.

I grab the handle of one and she gets the other. As I roll her bag to my ride, she sets the alarm and exits the house. After putting her luggage in the trunk, she closes it then joins me inside.

Following her lead, we ride in silence and I’ll take it. I’m just thrilled that she’s here with me. As I drive, I glance over at her a few times. Mostly, she’s on her phone, but the few times she isn’t our eyes meet and she turns away quickly. On the final time they meet, she doesn’t look away. Instead, she stares for a moment.Her hand swipes across her eyes then she looks away. At the sight of her tears, my breath hitches in my chest and lingers for a moment before I’m able to catch it.

When I pull up curbside at Delta, she practically jumps out. I do too and open my trunk. I remove both bags and place them on the pavement. Then, without asking for permission, I wrap my arms around her. With all my love, I embrace her. The hug is one-sided but I don’t care. I need to hold my child.

“No matter what you think right now. I hope you know I love you with all of my heart, Daija. I have from the day I knew I was having you and it will never stop. Never.”

I embrace her for a moment more then release her. Once again, tears are on her face and she wipes them. It takes all of my strength to keep mine from falling. “Please call me when you land,” I plead and she doesn’t respond at all.

She just pulls the handles up on her bags and starts to walk off. I shrug then turn to head back to my driver side. I barely take two steps when I hear my name.

“Truce,” she utters.

I turn and she’s walking back to me. Without saying another word, she throws her arms around me for barely a few seconds then quickly breaks away and rushes inside the airport.

My baby.

The little strength I had dissipates and I let my happy tears fall as I watch her in the skycap line.I haven’t lost her.

“Rex, you will be here in an hour. I can’t get ready if I’m on the phone with you,” I say while staring into his sexy, dark eyes on my iPad screen. My phone ischarging and I need to be mobile as I try to get ready for our date to who knows where.

“Why can’t you? Prop that up and do what you need to do. I want to watch.” He smirks but his tone is firm.

“You’re serious?”

“Yeah. Why wouldn’t I want to watch my girl get ready for me?” he saysand damn.

The thought of actually letting him watch and the look in his eyes as he makes the request causes a chill to vibrate through my entire being. While smiling probably too damn hard, I remove my satin robe. I normally do my hair and face with it on but he wants to watch so I’ll give him a show.

With my iPad in hand, I journey back into the bathroom and prop my iPad on the counter. After getting a bottle of my favorite body oil from the cabinet, I step back so he can see my nude lace bra and coordinating G-string. Whole panties with this bodysuit are a no-go.

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