Page 58 of You Make Me Feel

“No, he doesn’t know, but I’ll tell him. My sister-in-law, Serita, is a family counselor and has her own practice. She can be of assistance as well. She counsels more than just families.”

I nodded as I heard the door open. I glanced out to see it was Mr. Taylor’s brother, Shawn. They slapped hands, and Mr. Taylor asked, “What are you doing out here?”

“I had to come check on a few things. Everything good on your end?”

They continued to talk as I sat at my desk to get settled. Shawn knocked on the door frame after I put my purse in the file cabinet and booted up my computer. “How are you, Ms. Kinisha?”

“I’m good. Thank you. How about you?”

“I’m good. Enjoy your day.”

“You too.”

He winked, then left. He was friendly, just like Mr. Taylor, but somewhat flirty. Those blue eyes of his had to be the charmers that got him whatever he wanted. Mrs. Sonya was a blessed woman because he was fine as hell. From what I gathered just by being around Mr. Taylor and Mr. Sheffield, they were all well off. I was amazed that none of them were involved in politics. I was shocked when I heard Mr. Taylor say something about Mr. Sheffield’s private jet. They were all so down to earth, and I was happy to be connected to people of their character and caliber.

Today, I would be going to my parents’ house. I had to make things right with them. I’d been pushing them away. Kiana had been blowing up my phone. I only responded to her occasionally. I knew that was wearing her thin. I just didn’t know how to deal with their disappointment because it mirrored mine. Maybe I was dealing with how I saw myself, and I couldn’t take being around people who agreed with me.

I had a doctor’s appointment at one, so I would be going to their house whenever I left the doctor’s office. Oliver would be going with me, and I couldn’t wait to see him. He had a few errands to run this morning, so he would have to meet me at the doctor’s office. I was excited to get there and see how the baby was progressing. Although I didn’t know the sex yet, knowing everything was on the right track eased my mind.

Oliver’s cousin had even invited us back to her house. Oliver said she’d called him last night to set a date. She’d broken up with Robert and wanted to have a do over. I was shocked as hell. She seemed pretty firm in her decision not to get to know me. Apparently, Robert had convinced her that I was ratchet and undesirable. Since I was there with Oliver, she had to know something wasn’t right about that analysis. Oliver wouldn’t date someone like that. That proved to her that he was hiding something.

He didn’t like me because I saw him for what he was. Not to mention, his hatred of me had only gotten worse after I stole off on him at the club. I had a hell of a right hook. Letting him catch that fade was one of my proudest moments. I didn’t know where the fight in me came from, but Kiana didn’t have it. My mother didn’t seem to have it either.

Then tomorrow, I had to report to my probation officer. They were enrolling me in anger management classes. I wasn’t upset about it because I knew it could benefit me. Besides the situation with Jarod, things looked to be heading in the right direction. I was tired of the bullshit, and as soon as this shit was wrapped up with Jarod, I could concentrate on the joys of being pregnant and my new love with Oliver.

When I arrived at the doctor’s office, Oliver was already there and standing outside waiting for me. I hadn’t seen him all day, so to say I was excited was an understatement. Although I’d briefly seen him this morning before going to work, that wasn’t nearly enough time to count. After grabbing my bag, I practically hopped out of the car and ran to his arms.

“Well, damn. I guess you missed me as much as I missed you, baby.”

“Yeah. I’ve gotten spoiled. I wish you could be at the office every day, all day. I never get tired or feel smothered being around you. That’s new for me.”

That was the God’s honest truth. It didn’t take much for me to get tired of a clingy nigga. I needed my space and time to myself. Now, here I was, the clingy one, but I didn’t think it bothered him. Oliver would give me my heart’s desires, and if that was only his time and attention, I knew he’d give it in a heartbeat.

Oliver leaned over and kissed my lips. “It’s new for me too, but I wouldn’t trade the feeling for the world.”

I smiled at him as he grabbed my hand and led us to the entrance. Once he opened the door, I walked through it and immediately wanted to throw up. Jarod was seated in the waiting area, staring right at us with a smirk on his lips.How in the fuck did he know I had an appointment today?

I turned to Oliver, and the look on his face sent a chill up my spine. However, he leaned over and said, “Go check in.”

I swallowed hard and did as he said. My legs were trembling, and I suddenly wanted to piss. This nigga was determined to be a nuisance in my life. After signing the clipboard, I took steady, deep breaths, then knocked on the glass. When the receptionist slid it open, she smiled big. After scanning my face, her smile faded. “Are you okay?”

I shook my head. “There’s a man here . . . the biological father of my child. I don’t want him here. I’m going to ask him to leave, but I need reinforcement. My blood pressure has to be high now because I feel like I have to throw up and feel slightly dizzy.”

“Okay. We’ll observe from here. If he doesn’t leave—”

“I’ll get him out of here,” the lady standing behind her said.

She frowned deeply as she pulled her cell phone from her pocket. I walked away and saw that Oliver had stayed on the other side of the waiting area, but his eyes were trained on Jarod. I walked right over to Jarod. “Why are you here? And how did you know I would be here?”

“Because I want to see how my baby is doing. How I found out doesn’t matter.”

“Oh, now the baby is yours?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know for sure yet, but I thought it might help if I at least tried to be a part of the journey.”

“Help what?”

“If we have to go to court for child support or custody. If the DNA test proves it’s my baby, I will want joint custody.”

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