Page 34 of Jaeda

“I just wanna see what this man looks like,” Shar said. “I mean, you kicked us out before we could meet him, and we all couldn’t get a clear view from the window with these big ass trees.”

“Y’all were watching me!” I exclaimed.

They looked at each other then at me before a unanimous “Yes!” went up around the room. I shook my head as I pulled out my phone. Quaid and I had snapped a few pictures during dinner and during our carriage ride. Going to my photos, I turned the phone so everyone could see.

“Damn!” Renay said, fanning herself. “Nerds didn’t look like that when I was in school.”

“You’re literally twenty-nine,” Romi countered. “It wasn’t that long ago.”

“Exactly.”

Romi laughed. “When I think sexy nerd, I think about this guy name Declan from one of my favorite eroticas. Of course, he was the virgin, and she was the experienced one. Wait, is he a virgin?”

Renay giggled. “If he isn’t, I know his ass puts down some dick.”

Shar nodded at my sister. “Ask Titan, Mia.”

“Um, no. First of all, I wouldn’t ask that man about another man’s dick. Second, I told you we aren’t talking right now. I don’t wanna see his face or hear his voice . . . fucking bastard.”

I shook my head. I really wanted her to let this toxic shit with him go. It wasn’t that I didn’t like Titan. Truthfully, I didn’t know the man outside of what Mia and now Quaid told me. I just didn’t like seeing her beside herself over him. She would never admit it, but she loved him. Love like that didn’t ever have to find me.

“He’s not a virgin, y’all,” I finally said.

“Then let’s just hope he knows what he’s doing when the time comes,” Shar said.

We sat talking for a little longer before my front door opened, and in walked Deuce and Smoke, both wearing frowns.

“Can we help you?” I asked, matching the frowns they wore.

Deuce ignored me as he looked at Salima.

“Wifey, I thought you said you were going to take a nap.”

Smoked looked at Romi. “So did you. You know the doctor said you needed to take it easy.”

Romi groaned. “I’m literally sitting on the couch. My feet are up, and I’m hydrated. I’m fine and so are the babies.”

“Y’all are hardheaded as hell,” Smoke mumbled.

Salima rolled her eyes. “Y’all are really doing the most. We’re pregnant, not handicapped. It’s not even like we walked over here. We drove the golf cart.”

Deuce chuckled. “You funny. Salima, look at your belly. You don’t need to be driving shit. You’re about to have my son any day now. You need to be resting.”

“I’m tired of resting, Stanley.”

“Well, that’s too damn bad. Come on. I’m not about to argue?—”

“I’m not arguing!” she yelled. “I just wanted some time with my girls away from you and your overbearing ass.”

I could tell that hurt his feelings. My brother loved his wife more than anything in this world. He seemed to love her evenmore when she was pregnant. His overprotectiveness shifted into high gear.

Salima’s face softened as she looked at him.

“I’m sorry. That was too much.”

Deuce shrugged. “You good.”

“No. I can tell that stung, and I’m sorry.” She reached for his hands, and he helped her up. “You just have to relax, baby. You’ve been breathing down my neck more and more the closer we get to my due date. I promise, I’m being careful with our son. But . . . if it will make you feel better, I will go take a nap.”

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