Page 73 of Another Constant

Joseph scurried out and I licked my lips at the sight of the man before me. I wanted to do much more but had to remind myself I was indeed in my place of business. Kinga always made me feel protected, in and out of his presence.

“I’ma fuck around and put some security in here. Motherfuckers got too much access.”

I nodded, agreeing with him. “I see how I’m pregnant.”

“Oh yeah? How?”

“You just being you. You got this crazy way of making me feel so protected, so loved, that I know nothing will ever touch me…well, except you.”

He was all smiles and so was I.

We spent a while longer together before parting ways. He had to meet someone and I headed to the store to grab a few things for dinner, an easy pasta dish and rolls. I didn’t feel like going over the top, so this was it. By the time I left the grocery store, I was exhausted. But when I pulled up to my place, I spotted my mother’s truck in my driveway. I didn’t know she was coming out so early, but then again, my mother hated traffic. So of course she would leave early and get here earlier to avoid it altogether.

I pulled into my driveway and reached over to grab my bag. I was grateful I’d dropped the puppies off to the nanny before going to the store. The puppy nanny was a lifesaver because I needed a break most days and all I had to do was call her up or drop them off. She was worth every penny I paid.

I grabbed the bags I’d gotten from the grocery store and headed into the house, sure to lock my car behind me.

When I entered the house, I heard the sound of the TV in the distance. Not only had my mother come into the city early, she had made herself comfortable.

“Well hello to you too, mama dearest,” I said loud enough for her to hear.

“Oh baby, I thought you were working. I didn’t want to bother you,” she mused, rushing into the kitchen and helping me with the bags. “However, when I got here, I also noticed your space looked barely lived in and there were no dog cages.”

“Code for, you’ve been snooping around and found that I’m not here that often.”

She shrugged. “Same thing. Now where is my future son-in-law anyway?”

“Future son-in-law. That’s quick. You haven’t even met the man face to face.”

“Didn’t have to but of course I’m still going to meet him. What I’m saying is, you spend a lot of time with him and you seem different with him.”

I stopped and looked at her. “That’s because I am. He makes me reckless in a good way. A way where I’m not overthinking everything or feeling like I should be keeping my guard up. After everything with Zax, I had my guard up pretty high, trying to get over what he did as well as trying to not to be like that in anybody's eyes. That was my intention, then Kinga found his way into my life. I’m happy, Ma.”

“I know, and that makes me happy. I love you and your brother with everything in me, so the thought of either one of you being unhappy bothers me. But you’re happy and so am I.”

I smiled hard. “Thank you.”

“Now where are my grand puppies?”

“With the nanny. I’ll be picking them up in the morning. I’ve been tired lately and in need of some rest. After dinner tonight, I’m going to sleep and I don’t want to be up early. I’m glad after this litter I’ll have a little break. I don’t foresee myself going as heavy as I have been going for the last few months.”

“So… I was wondering… since you decided to keep Bleu and from the pictures you may be keeping that other one…. Can I have Tilly? She plays well with Judah since technically that’s her mother.”

“Ma.”

“Don’t Ma me. If I didn’t take them from you, I know your home would be filled with dogs. I know I’m not getting any two-legged grandkids any time soon so I have to make do with what I hav?—”

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that.” I turned around quickly, realizing I had already said too much.

“Um, excuse me? Don’t turn your narrow ass around now. What does that mean? Wouldn’t be so sure about what?”

“Mama. Please. Nothing. I need to get dinner started.” I tried my best to get away from her but I had already messed up and I was no liar, so I wasn’t even good at it.

“Don’t Mama me, Harlem Ariel Bleu.”

I turned around and my eyes landed directly on her. “I am pregnant. So you will indeed get that grandchild you’ve been speaking into my uterus.”

She giggled. “You’re lying.”

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