His Baby Her Gift: The Slow Burn Duology 2 by LaShawn Vasser (the dot read aloud .TXT) 📕

“I am different with her.”

“The love of a good woman will do that to you.” Nate scratched the side of his head. “Have you spent any time with Harlem’s dad?”

“A little when we drove up for Damian’s birthday. I stayed at Harlem’s parent’s house.”

Nate was a little shocked. “He let you sleep under the same roof?”

“Yeah. He did.”

“That man is intimidating. I met him a few times.” Nate laughed.

“He is, but I plan to be the same way when the baby is born.”

“You’re really stepping into this fatherhood role.” He laughed. “You’re talking like a daddy already. Never thought I’d see the day.”

“Me either. I just have to convince Harlem that I’m for real and deal with Elaina.”

“I thought you two broke up.”

“We did, but she is pulling the ‘I’m pregnant’ card. Elaina knows damn well that we never had unprotected sex. We’re supposed to go to the doctor to confirm, but she’s been dodging me.”

“You always did attract the wrong kinds of women.”

“I’m trying to change that.”

“Well, if it means anything, I think Harlem is a good choice.”

“Thanks, man.” I just have to convince her to give us a shot.

Nate checked his watch. “Melody and I are supposed to take Nate Jr. to her parent’s house for dinner tonight. We better hit the showers before I’m late.”

Chapter 4

Saturday finally arrived. Harlem knew that she would probably run into Carter at Nate Jr.’s birthday party.

They hadn’t really talked the entire week aside from their nightly check-ins, and that mainly was via text.

Harlem had a feeling he was giving her the space she said she needed. Harlem didn’t want to have a discussion about their relationship over the phone. A conversation like that would be much better received if discussed in person.

She showed up at Nate and Melody’s home an hour before the party started. Harlem got there early just in case Melody needed help before the guests arrived. But Melody had everything under control, so they talked while filling a few goodie bags for the kids. Once they were finished, Harlem played with Nate Jr. while she and Melody got caught up. Before they knew it, the doorbell rang with the first party guests.

A few hours later, little kids were running around in every part of the house. Harlem thought the circus theme was perfect for the circus-like atmosphere.

Her eyes flitted around periodically.

Melody had been chasing Nate Jr. all over the house while playing host. She managed to sneak up behind Harlem. “Looking for someone?” Melody asked mischievously as she watched her son jump up and down in the indoor bouncy house.

“Hmm?” Harlem attempted to look as if she didn’t understand her question. “What?”

“Are you looking for someone? As in Carter Owens.”

“I was just . . .” Harlem couldn’t hide her smile.

“Looking for Carter.” Melody finished the sentence for her. She crossed her arms and arched a brow in an accusatory but playful way. “Don’t deny it. If your blush hadn’t given it away, Carter already did. Nate saw him at the gym, and they talked about you.”

“Is that so?” Harlem asked as if she couldn’t imagine why Carter and Nate would talk about her.

“Yep.” Melody acted as if that were the end of the conversation.

My curiosity is going to be the death of me. Harlem egged her on. “Well?”

“Well, what?” Melody teased.

“What did he say?” Harlem asked a little impatiently.

“He said what none of us were surprised to hear. He’s interested in you.”

Harlem’s face scrunched up. “You’re the second person to say you’re not surprised. I don’t get it. Carter has never acted inappropriately or as if he were harboring some sort of feelings for me. We’ve actually only been friendly-ish over the past several months. At the end of the day, Carter would have never betrayed Damian.”

“Of course he wouldn’t.” Melody waved her hand as if to dismiss the notion. “Those two were thick as thieves. But, here is what you didn’t know. Back in college, I had Carter in a couple of classes. He’d seen you around on campus and knew we were friends. He asked about you a lot. Carter’s the reason I convinced you and Kelly to go to that stupid FRAT party the night you met Damian. Carter invited me so that I would bring you. He had a mad crush on you.”

Harlem was blown away. “You never told me that.”

Melody shrugged. “I didn’t see any reason to once you hooked up with Damian. It might have been awkward for everyone. Anyway, that’s why I wasn’t surprised that Carter was interested in you. My guess is he kind of always has been and just buried those feelings.”

“Carter and my relationship, it was hostile at best.”

“I don’t know. Maybe that’s how Carter felt he had to react to you not to cause any waves.”

Harlem still wasn’t convinced. “Damian and I broke up after college. We didn’t reconnect for years after. If Carter were interested in me, why wouldn’t he have tried to hook-up then?”

“The bro code. Just like with us girls. He would never cross the line.”

That familiar twinge of guilt was back. “That makes me feel . . . great.” She said sarcastically.

“Oh, stop it.” Melody began to reassure her. “Don’t get me wrong, I loved Damian. He was an amazing guy just not for you. You and Carter make more sense.” Especially since you and Damian were rarely ever on the same page.

“Can I be honest?”

“You haven’t been?” Harlem laughed.

“When you talk about Carter, your face lights up like a Christmas tree.”

“He makes me feel like I’ve never felt.” Harlem admitted. “But it’s always accompanied by feelings of