Starting Over

*JAMIRA*

After brunch, the atmosphere settled into a peaceful silence. We all needed that break from the drama and tension that had been building up. It was long overdue for a heart-to-heart conversation with the girls.

Ayana went about her day as usual, working, coming home, and hanging out with us. Her mom and I caught up on our favorite shows, went grocery shopping, and visited boutiques. We had a great time until moving day.

When it was time to leave, I packed all my belongings from the guest room, which felt like my own, and loaded them into my car. Ayana got in, and we drove to my old home.

The drive was bittersweet. I took a deep breath, reminding myself that I was starting fresh, with someone who might not have as much baggage.

As we stepped inside, a wave of memories washed over me. There were my birthday celebrations, the meals I had cooked, and the times before and after Chris’s brother’s passing. It had been so long since anyone had been there; the place smelled of wood and regret.

We moved through the room and closet, gathering everything and packing it up. I was nervous because I wasn’t sure when Chris would return. I had to make the move quick. Thanks to Ayana, I was out of there in thirty minutes flat. I left the key and locked the bottom lock before I left.

“How are you feeling?” Ayana asked.

“I’m relieved and scared,” I replied.

“Why? Eric is good to you.”

“Eric is good physically. We don’t know how he is verbally, emotionally, or in any other way,” I explained.

“You’re absolutely nervous, huh?” Ayana teased.

“Yup,” I admitted.

“Mira, you’re making the right choice. If not for you, then definitely for the baby.”

That comment gave me the push I needed to continue. Maybe it was because it was the truth.

“Thank you,” I said.

When we arrived at Eric’s condo, he wasn’t there, but he had left me a key. Once I let myself in, Ayana and I took my belongings and put them in the closet for me to go through later.

After that, we settled in, perhaps a bit too comfortably. We rummaged through his refrigerator and found some ingredients, and I decided to make something.

Ayana stretched out on the couch and put on our forgetful lawyer show.

“Girl, this is how you’re going to be living?”

“Yeah, I guess so.”

“This couch alone has my heart.”

I laughed at that because it was comfortable, sure, but I wasn’t sure if I wanted to stay there forever.

“Speaking of hearts, when are you going to let me meet Jeremy?”

“Mira, you’re still on that?”

“Yes, because it feels like you’re leaving me out.”

“It’s not like that, Mira, and you know that,” she said, sitting up.

“So why haven’t I met him?”

She stared at me for a moment before responding, “Because I haven’t met him myself.”

“What the hell, Yana! You expect me to believe you haven’t met him? What is he, your pen pal?”

“Ha, ha, you got jokes. He’s out of state, and we’ve been talking about meeting up soon when our schedules align better.”

“What state?”

Ayana shook her head and pursed her lips.

“Ayana, I swear to God if it’s—“

“Just trust me, okay? The day will come when you’ll meet him. I promise.”

I didn’t want to end the conversation because I didn’t like the fact that my best friend was keeping something from me, but I also had to respect her privacy and hope she’d eventually tell me.

Before we could change the subject, my phone rang. Without even looking, I answered. Instant regret. It was Chris on the other end.

“What the hell, Mira!”

“Hello?”

“Don’t act like you don’t know who this is!”

I looked over and saw Ayana mouthing to put it on speakerphone. I sat the phone down and pressed the speaker button.

“Why are you calling me?”

“I was discharged today, and not only were you not there, but I came home and saw your stuff gone with the key on the counter?”

“What did you expect, Chris? We’re no longer together.”

“I don’t want to hear none of that. Couldn’t you have talked to me first? We could have worked it out.”

“How could we Chris? I’m pregnant with someone else’s baby.”

“Well, buddy would have to get his child, but we could have found a solution.”

“Chris, do you hear yourself? You sound ridiculous. Go be with Keema. I’m sure she’ll make you happy.”

“This isn’t over, Mira.”

That sent chills down my spine. He hung up, and I felt irritated.

“Girl, what was that?”

“I don’t know.”

Just then, Eric walked in. He looked around and smiled.

“I see you’ve made yourself at home.”

I went over to kiss him. I guess he missed me because he picked me up and took me to his room.

He turned on the shower and lifted my shirt above my head. He sucked my bottom lip before inserting his tongue into my mouth. He kissed me with a desperate intensity that conveyed, “You’re mine, and I’m never letting you go.”

I quickly removed his shirt and pants. He quickly removed my remaining clothes.

He was so hungry that I didn’t have time to breathe. As soon as we got into the shower, he hoisted me up against the wall and penetrated me with a desire that made me lose all respect for myself.

He kissed down my neck and across my collarbone. He dipped down and flicked his tongue over my nipples, sucking until they hardened and swelled.

I nibbled on his ear, and he increased his pace. His balls clapped against my ass, making me wetter with each stroke. As I bounced on his dick, my eyes rolled back, and he grunted in my ear.

His breath warm, he began talking to me. He knew this drove me crazy.

“Whose pussy is this?”

“It’s yours, daddy.”

“It’s so good, baby.”

That was all I needed to squeeze my legs around his waist and squeeze my already sopping wet pussy around his dick. He lost control immediately.

He let out a loud “FUCK” and began throbbing inside of me as he came. As always, it was warm and plentiful. He shook a little before pulling out, setting me down.

We washed each other and finally got out. He smacked my ass and sniffed the air.

“You’re cooking something?”

“Yeah, lasagna,” I replied as I pulled on some panties and one of his shirts.

“It smells delicious. Did you make it for me?”

I cupped his face and gently rubbed my thumb across his lips. “Of course, daddy.”

His eyes darkened with desire once more. This time, I quickly ran out of the room before he could throw me on the bed and start a second round.

I managed to pull the lasagna out of the oven just in time because shortly after, Kacie and Kayla arrived. Ayana prepared some peach lemonade.

As the evening settled, Kacie took her seat at the table, flashing a warm smile at me. But as Eric complimented the lasagna, Kacie casually quipped, “I guess some people like to settle in fast, huh?”

I caught it—my eyes flicked upward briefly—but I didn’t bite.

Later, as they washed dishes, Kacie asked Eric, “You sure she’s ready for all this?”

Eric shrugged, not catching the edge in her tone. But me, drying a plate behind them, smirked quietly to myself. I knew Kacie’s worries, and in time, we’d have that real talk—when Kacie was ready to drop the act.