Page 89 of A Trial of the Heart

Standing to my full height, I extended the glass her way and I winked. “You look like you might need this.”

With a heavy sigh, Shiloh stepped from her heels, forcing me to drop my eyes further down.

“I do. Thank you.” She took the glass, taking a huge sip.

“Want to talk about it?”

“Not right now.” She lifted her free hand, wiping it across her forehead. “Only thing I will say is I won’t have to deal with either of them for a long time.” Shiloh sounded relieved just saying those words.

“Good.” I nodded in understanding. Shiloh may not have wanted to talk right now, but I knew I would know all that took place when she felt up to it.

Shiloh looked around. “Twins?”

It was comical how we didn’t use their names; they were either twins or babies. I knew eventually that would change, but for now, it worked. “Sleeping. Kai went down first, and K’nai put up a fight but lost.” I chuckled.

“Of course.” She chuckled. “Something smells good. You cooked?” she asked the obvious.

“Nah. I’on even know what that smell is,” I joked.

Sucking her teeth, Shiloh playfully hit me in the arm.

“Whatever, Kyan.” She stuck her tongue out.

I howled a hearty laugh. “Ahhh… you got jokes.”

Since knowing my first name, Shiloh had only used it once or twice, so I knew she was being funny.

“Come on. I did cook. Plus. I have to show you something.” I took her free hand, leading her to the dining room table.

“What is it?” she asked just as I pulled her chair out.

“Shiloh.” I looked at her with a pointed expression.

“Fine.” She plopped down in the seat, finishing off her glass of wine before I could walk away.

“Gimmie that.”

“Rude.” She rolled her eyes but did as I said.

“I am going to check on the babies and wash my hands.” She stood.

“Cool. By the time you come back, plates will be made,” I said, watching her walk away.

I said early on that she was a force to be reckoned with, but that had been an understatement. After all the shit we’d been through, had it been anyone else, they wouldn’t have gotten another chance. For Shiloh, I just couldn’t shake her from me.

As I plated the food and poured Shiloh another glass of wine, I could hear her talking to the twins. She was saying how much they meant to her, how we both loved them, how much she loved me, and that no matter how life went, she would always protect them. In the midst of her speaking, I heard her voice crack, so I knew she was either fighting tears or was already crying.

Hearing the quick sounds of kissing, I grabbed a folded paper off the counter before grabbing the dinner plates and carryingthem to the table. Just as I was coming back with the wine and glasses, Shiloh was coming back.

“Damn, that looks good.” Shiloh damn near drooled over the plate.

“Yeah, I know,” I said cockily.

“Oh, Kyan, shut up.” she went to sit, but I softly grasped her wrist.

“A’ight now, Shiloh.” I smacked her on her ass, her ass jiggled, and she lifted on her toes from the slight pain. “Don’t keep playing with me,” I stated playfully. I really didn’t care if she called me Kyan or Rashad in all honesty, but since she never did, I mentioned it.

“Fine, Ky—” she started with a giggle. “Kidding, babe.”