Page 161 of Tangled Hearts
“On our way to you. Be outside.”
Dinner that night was upscale. White tablecloths, candles, glasses catching the low light. Hov walked in with that presence that made people look. Of course, Knycole’s hand tucked in his while Qua held his other hand, skipping small steps to keep up.
Once Knycole have Hov the run down on what the advisory told her, he felt tonight was a cause for a celebration. Anyopportunity he found to give his lady a safe and soft life, he was going to make shit happen.
At the table, Hov ordered for them without hesitation. “She’ll have the salmon, no capers. Extra lemon. And bring the mashed potatoes, not the wild rice.”
The waiter nodded. “For little man?”
“Steak!” Qua blurted. He liked fine dining too.
Knycole snickered. “Get your son.”
Qua looked up at his mama like she was the center of his universe. His small hand lifted to her neck to give her a kiss on the cheek. He wanted to be just like his daddy.
And you could find Hov’s hand around Knycole’s neck more than anywhere else.
“You gon’ cut it up too?” Knycole teased once he finished ordering for them.
He gave her a sideways grin. “Hell yea.”
“Mommy, I went to a house with dad and it was a lady there.”
Knycole’s smile was wiped from her face so fast. Slowly, her head angled to Hov for an explanation.
Hov laughed. “Qua, you starting to talk too much.”
“Shid,” Knycole pursed her lips.
Qua stared between them but kept talking. “She said I’m cute like my dad… but Old Nick said I look like you, mommy.”
Aight, Qua… you doing too much.” Hov faced the love of his life. “You know I’ve been doing my real estate shit… He came with me to meet Sassy at a house.”
“Sassy?” Knycole’s face scrunched. “I don’t like that name.”
“Man,” Hov laughed.
“I’m not laughing, Quameek. Who is Sassy and do I have anything to worry about?” she crossed her arms over her chest.
Hov’s hand found its way to the back of her neck. Gripping it tight, he pulled her towards him. “You don’t have shit to worryabout. Shit, you can meet her if you want.” His lips pressed into hers taking her breath away.
Knycole gripped the bottom of his shirt. “Yo better keep it that way. I will kill you, nigga.”
“Give me kiss too mommy,” Qua’s brown eyes blinked while he stood on the restaurant’s seat to put his hand on her neck again. This time, his tiny hand laid on top of Hov’s.
Knycole kissed his little lips. “You are the cutest.”
“That’s what that lady said,” he went back to the coloring page the restaurant provided.
“Man, you really trying me,” Hov chuckled at his son.
When the plates came, Hov pulled her plate close, cutting the salmon into neat pieces. It was intimate without trying. Then he did the same to his son’s food.
Qua leaned against him, wide eyes on every word Hov said. “Daddy, when I get big, I’ma have muscles like you.”
“You already strong,” Hov told him, kissing the top of his head. “You gon’ be better than me.”
Qua beamed, soaking it in. Knycole watched, her chest tight with a love that felt bigger than the room. And to think, she almost gave this up. Yea, she was a crack baby.
