“You ain’t supposed to,” I said. “You needed sleep.”
She rubbed her eyes. “What time is it?”
“Early,” I answered. “Go back to sleep if you need to.”
She rolled her eyes ‘cause she knew I meant it and she also knew she wasn’t gonna do it. “You know I can’t,” she said quietly. “The house still needs to be straightened up, and we’re meeting my mother and Carl for lunch at the…” I stepped right in front of her and folded my arms. “What now, Keon?”
“Stop,” I said. “I’ll make sure the house is straight. You ain’t doin’ shit but takin’ a shower and doin’ what you needa do foryou. I got this.”
She frowned. “I’m fine.”
“There you go,” I said, shakin’ my head. “Lyin’ already.”
She glared. “Don’t start.”
“I already started. You wanna do this early? We can do this shit early, Ny.”
She looked away, irritated and overwhelmed. “I’m not trying to argue.”
“Good,” I replied. “‘Cause I ain’t either. I’mtellin’you what’s up.”
She gave me this look like she wanted to fight me and cry at the same time. I could read her like a damn book. She hated bein’ checked, but she needed it, especially right now. Especially wit’ all the emotions she had after givin’ birth. She had too much weight on her mind and she didn’t need half of it.
I held my hand out. “C’mere.”
She stared at my hand like it was gonna bite her, then she finally let me pull her up into my chest. Her head dropped against me, and I wrapped my arms around her, breathin’ in her natural scent.
“You stressin’ too much,” I said. “And today ain’t gon’ be good if you don’t take some time for you before we leave this muthafucka. Your mama gon’ see the stress on you and try to go off on my ass.”
“No, she’s not,” she whispered wit’ a giggle. “It’s just wedding talk.”
“No,” I corrected. “It’s an argument I’m tired of havin’ ‘bout a bougie ass weddin’ I don’t want. I want you as my wife by the end of next month. I don’t need nobody’s approval for that.”
She swallowed. “AndIwant a wedding I can remember.”
“You gon’ remember it,” I said. “You marryin’ the illest nigga alive.”
She chuckled, pushin’ away and lookin’ up at me wit’ that stubborn ass face. “Babe, it’s not that simple.”
“It is,” I said. “Y’all makin’ shit complicated.” She opened her mouth, but Kassim cried from down the hall. She sighed, frustrated. I kissed her forehead. “I got him. Get in the shower.”
Her shoulders dropped a lil’ bit, like she wanted to argue again, but her body gave out first. “Okay.”
“Good. I swear, the next time you act hardheaded, I’m puttin’ you over my shoulder in front of your mom’s. You know I don’t give a fuck.”
She slapped my chest. “Shut up!”
“I’m deadass,” I said. “Don’t play wit’ me today.” She laughed a little, shakin’ her head, and walked to the bathroom. I headed to the nursery again, picked Kassim up, and bounced him gently. “Your mama tryna stress me out already,” I said to him. He blinked at me like he didn’t claim either of us.
Once Kassim was settled back in his crib and Nyomi was in the shower, I stepped into the hallway and rolled my neck, ready to get the day under control. The house needed to be cleaned and laundry needed to be done, and I needed to smoke. I pulled out my phone and typed “luxury maid services near me.” A long ass list popped up, and I clicked the first one wit’ five stars. The lady answered on the second ring soundin’ overly professional.
“Good morning! Thank you for callingLuxe Cleaning Crew. How can we assist today?”
I said, “Yeah, I need a full-house cleanin’. Top to bottom. Carpets, bathrooms, kitchen, bedrooms, baseboards, laundry, everything. I need y’all here in the next hour.”
She hesitated. “That is extremely short notice and…”
I cut her off. “Money ain’t a issue. Y’all will be overcompensated. Just grab whoever you need and get the job done.”