Page 89 of Milo

“Now, don’t bring your ass out here in them little ass shorts. I’d hate to have to pop a neighbor for—”

“I’m not coming out and hush. Always talking about violence as if you’re not a board certified physician and head of the phy—”

“I don’t give a damn. I’m a nigga from The Valley first and foremost and the tool I pack has nothing to do with improving the neurological system but it will rearrange a nigga’s thoughts.”

Rolling my eyes, I waved him out of the house with Mason in his arms. But not before stealing a kiss. With the bag on his shoulder and Mason snug against his chest, Milo nearly made me reconsider my plans for the night. Fatherhood looked pretty good on him.

* * *

Nervously,I drew circles on my legs as I waited for Zayne’s arrival. My punctual nature led to me arriving fifteen minutes early. As a result, I was given far too much time alone with my thoughts.

What am I doing?

What is Mason doing?

Is Milo alright with him? Alone?

Maybe I should call.

Does he miss me? …Mason. I mean Mason.

Is he being a good baby?

What if he’s looking for me and can’t see—ugh.

I shook my head, ridding myself of the worries that would surely stress me and ruin my night. Determined to stay busy, I reached into my clutch and removed the lightly scented and pink tinted stick of gloss. I brushed the end of the wand across my lips, evenly distributing my third layer of the night across them.

Staring down at the Rolex on my wrist, I took note of the time. Zane was due at the table in five minutes or less. I continued my quest to keep myself busy. This time, I rearranged the contents on the linen of the table, aligning them all to better suit the eye.

“Straight enough?”

My body froze as a tingle ran down my spine, ending with my partially numbed toes in the Tom Ford sandals I wore. Batting lashes and curious eyes followed the trail that led straight to his broadness. And there he stood. Draped in a natural-colored shirt with denim jeans, I was led to the conclusion that my date was a man of good taste.

“Hi,” I greeted Zane, shuffling my feet underneath the table in preparation to stand.

“No need,” he told me, extending a hand to stop me.

Smiling, I sighed in relief, watching as he took the seat across from me. As he did so, he removed the hat from his head, displaying a set of thick curls that weren’t there when we’d met but I’d grown fond of since we’d started communicating via FaceTime.

“Hi,” he repeated after settling in. “It’s been a long time coming.”

Agreeing, I nodded. “I know. Months.”

“Months.” He chuckled. “I must admit that this moment made it all worth it.”

“Yeah?” I leaned in, placing a hand under my chin.

“I can finally buy you a drink and feed you.”

“I see. I see.”

“You look stunning, Nature. It feels damn good to be in your presence.”

“I can admit that I’m feeling the same. I’m wondering if the heat is up or if it’s my nerves.” I chuckled, fanning my face.

“Nerves? Nah. Can’t be.”

Mellow was the temperament of my lifetime, but tonight made it rather complicated to remain in control of my thoughts, fears, and feelings. A few months ago, before Mason stretched my body and forced my confidence into hiding, I would’ve sat at the table across from such a radiant individual with my head held high and my shoulders squared. Postpartum blues was kicking me in the shins, though I had little idea it existed in my world before now.

---