Page 42 of Love You Like That

My chest tightened. “Ezra had a book signing today. I went.”

Sasha gasped dramatically on the line. “Wait. You went and saw Ezra? Pregnant belly and all? I knew we weren’t just in New York just to celebrate with you! Spill it.”

“It was… intense,” I admitted softly, fighting tears. “You should’ve seen his face. I couldn’t even tell him everything because he had to leave.”

“Did you talk after?” Dianna asked gently, concern creeping into her tone.

“Not yet. He said he’ll call. Honestly, I don’t even know if he will or what I’d say if he does.”

“You tell him the truth,” Erin said firmly. “You tell him exactly how it’s been. How you feel.”

“What if it’s too late?” My voice broke, emotions pouring out uncontrollably. “What if I messed up beyond fixing?”

Dianna sighed softly. “You didn’t mess up alone. You both got shit to own. But at least you’ll know, girl. At least you’ll stop carrying this alone.”

We talked a bit longer, their support steadying my nerves, until my phone buzzed again. Ezra’s name flashed, jolting my heart into rapid beats.

“It’s him,” I whispered hurriedly. “I’ll call y’all later.” I clicked over quickly, heart racing. “Hello?” My voice shook.

“Yaya.” Ezra’s voice was deep, careful, and gentle. “You busy right now?”

“No,” I admitted softly. “Just eating dinner.”

“Where you at? Can I come get you?”

“I’m atCarmine’s, down the street from the bookstore.”

“I’ll be there in an hour,” he said, voice serious but soft. “Don’t leave.”

T h es i l e n c ei nEzra’s car was deafening. It screamed louder than any argument we’d ever had. Louder than the heartbreak of our last goodbye. I sat beside him, my hands clasped tightly over the roundness of my belly, staring straight ahead through the windshield.

Harlem slid quietly past my window, lights blurred, the hum of the luxury car beneath us almost inaudible, highlighting how much things had changed. Ezra’s grip tightened on the steering wheel. I felt his occasional glances, quick, confused, hesitant but he said nothing. I was relieved, yet terrified, of what would happen when the silence finally broke. I hadn’t told him yet, not directly, and I knew exactly what hung in the air between us.

His deep voice finally shattered the silence abruptly, raw and strained. “Is it mine?”

The bluntness cut through me, a hot flash of anger and hurt burning in my chest. I turned slowly, tears threatening as I searched his face, shocked he’d even ask. “Are you serious right now, Ezra?” My voice trembled, soft but sharp. “You think I’d show up here,pregnant, after six months, if he wasn’t yours?”

“He?” His jaw clenched, his eyes fixed forward, pained and dark. “Six months is a long time, Yaya. A lot can happen. People move on.”

“I haven’t.” My voice cracked, bitterness slipping in. “Clearly you have. Day party with fans. Luxury car.”

His head snapped toward me sharply, emotion flaring bright in his eyes. “You think 'cause I got a whip and some recognition that means I moved on? I ain’t been right since you left.”

“Youwalked away,” I whispered harshly. “You’re the one who left me. You leftusand didn’t look back once.”

He exhaled heavily, hands gripping the wheel tighter. “‘Cause you made ya choice clear. Ya picture-perfect life didn’t include me.”

“I never chose anyone but you!” My voice rose, trembling with frustration. “How could you even think otherwise?”

He pulled the car over abruptly, the sudden stop jolting me forward. He turned fully toward me, the rawness in his voice breaking open completely. “You didn’t tell me you needed me. Youletme go.”

“Youwanted out!” I shouted, my tears finally spilling free, hot and angry. “You walked out my door, told me good luck with my ‘picture-perfect life,’ and slammed it behind you. I found out I was pregnant alone, Ezra,alone. Do you know what that felt like?”

My words landed hard, his expression shifting quickly from anger to devastation. His shoulders sagged, the fight draining visibly from his body. “Fuck, Yaya. Why didn’t you call me? Tell me somethin’?”

“How could I?” I whispered hoarsely. “I thought you didn’t want me. I thought you wouldn’t want us. I was scared, Ezra. I still am.”

The silence fell heavy again, both of us breathing ragged, the tension palpable. Ezra pulled back onto the road without another word, driving silently until we reached a towering luxury high-rise. When we pulled into the private garage beneath the building, my heart sank deeper.

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