Page 12 of Lyric Squared

“You think so?”

“I know this, Lyric. Stop waiting or you’ll be waiting until you’re old and gray. You’ve told me more times than ever in the last two years that you’re ready to find a love like mine and Luca’s. Well, being a pussy won’t get you there. If I’d let Dewayne’s mistakes stop me from opening my heart to Luca, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I’m so happy that it makes me cry most nights.

“When I’m making love to Luca, I sob like a baby because that man makes me feel like I’m the only girl in the entire world that he has ever and will ever love. His love for me is overwhelming and sometimes flares my anxiety because I’m always wondering how the hell I got so lucky. Luca is a very selective man, and he doesn’t hang around just anybody. If Ken is his only best friend then I know he’s worth the shot. Give him a chance to love you to tears. Trust me, it’s the scariest, most rewarding feeling ever. Write him.”

“Write him,” I repeated with a nod, “I should just write him.”

“Yes. Please. Tonight.”

“And say what?”

“Whatever your heart tells you to.”

Whatever my heart tells me to?The question rang loud in my head.

“Come on. It’s time for you girls to get out and get your pajamas on,” Ever announced as she tossed me a towel for Emorey.

With her arms stretched out, again, she stepped up and into my arms. I wrapped them around her little body and lifted her into the air. Carefully, I made my way to her bedroom and laid her on the bed. Ever sat next to Emorey with Elle bouncing in her arms. She’d laid out pajamas for all three girls.

“How have you been feeling lately?”

“Tired as usual. I feel like I’m on a never-ending, extremely rewarding spinning wheel. I just feel so blessed and so tired at once.”

“You have three little ones, a husband, a business, and a child on the way. You’ve pretty much been pregnant two years straight. Your body is probably in overdrive.”

“Yeah. After Lucas comes, I’m putting a gap between our next set of little ones. Maybe we’ll try again when he’s two and out of diapers,” Ever explained.

“Luca will wait as long as you need him to.”

“I know, but I don’t think I can. I honestly love being pregnant. I feel so purposeful. It’s the highlight of my days, Lyric. I be so damn happy for no reason at all, and I don’t like the idea of birth control or pulling out. I’d rather he leave it there.”

“Ever, I really don’t want to hear that shit. You do remember I’m his sister, right?”

“Yes, but you’re also my best and only friend besides Baisleigh. I’m not going into vivid details. I save those conversations for her.”

“Good, because I’d hate for our friendship to end over it.”

“Shut up.”

“I’m serious,” I warned, “but I don’t know how you’re going to get around that. Maybe just try the birth control for a year.”

“It’s not even an option for Luca and me.”

“Then, I hope he learns to pull the hell out or you two can be expecting another one by your six-week checkup. I can bet my last dollar on it.”

“We’re going to figure something out. What’s going on in your world?”

“Numbers. Numbers. And more numbers,” I shared. “But you already knew that.”

“Any new flames?”

“No. No one makes it past the phone stage and everyone else is friends with those two downstairs. I can’t catch a break, honestly.”

“You will. In about three months’ time. Just wait and see. I have a good feeling about this one.”

“TT Lyric, you sleep in my bed with me?” Emorey asked.

“Not tonight, Emorey. Maybe we can all have a sleepover soon. Gets some manis and pedis and facials. What do you think?”