Page 63 of Cuffed By Your Love

I paused mid-scoop, setting my spoon down as if her words needed my full attention. “For what?”

“For bringing that drama into your world. Into EJ’s. That wasn’t fair. Also, for letting Kam’s comments actually sting a little about not bearing his baby. It’s not that I didn’t want to, even though I’m grateful I didn’t. I’m not sure if I can, and his comments about my uterus really bothered me.”

I wiped my hand on a napkin, and grabbed her hand to hold. Her skin was warm, like laundry fresh out of the dryer.

“Jonay. Stop that shit, baby. Right now.”

Her eyelashes fluttered, showing that she was caught off guard by my words.

“You don’t need to apologize for someone else’s madness. That’s not your responsibility; it’s his chaos and his failure. He’sa cautionary tale, not a chapter in your story. God knew better and didn’t want you trapped with him, and that’s a blessing. Plot twist, baby: God was preparing you for your happy ending with me, and I’ll give you all the fucking babies you want, on me.”

She blinked rapidly, her eyes beginning to shimmer like streetlights reflecting tears.

“But what if his mess continues to follow me? What if it chases off every good thing before it even starts? What if it costs me… this?”

I squeezed her hand a bit tighter, as if I could press belief back into her bones.

“Then let it chase,” I said softly. “I’ll stand in front of it every time. I’ll block every demon that thinks it can reach you. You won’t lose me over a coward who’s realizing he missed out cuz he didn’t know how to carry a woman like you. You have a weight that’s holy, not heavy.”

A shaky breath escaped her lips, a mix of laughter and acceptance.

“I swear, you talk like you ghostwrite for Hallmark and The Source.”

“I’m a hood poet with a badge and a Bible app, baby. I’m versatile.” I winked at her pretty ass.

She cracked up, loudly and unfiltered, like a Sunday brunch cackle with the girls. Even EJ looked up, grinning with sticky cheeks and rainbow sherbet on his nose.

“Miss Pretty,” he said with the solemnity of a judge. “You my favorite grown-up.”

Jonay clutched her chest as if his little voice had rewired her entire nervous system.

“Boy, don’t make me cry in this darn ice cream parlor.”

“Too late,” I teased, catching her sneaking a napkin to her eyes.

I reached into my pocket and pulled out a plastic sheriff badge, the kind we’d hand out at block parties. EJ usually hoarded them, but I had kept this one for her. I placed it on the table in front of her.

“For bravery under bullshit.”

She gazed at it as if it was something sacred, then clipped it to her hoodie like a war medal.

“I’ll wear it with pride.”

“You better believe it. That man tried to make you crumble, but you aren’t built for breaking. You’re the type they build foundations on. A brick house. Lip gloss popping. A .45 in the purse, just in case somebody forgets.”

We all cracked up again, even EJ, even if he didn’t know what the hell I meant.

When we stepped out, the breeze outside felt different. Peace had finally caught up to the day. The sky was stretching out in pastels, and the tension that had been wrapped around her shoulders began to unravel.

I opened the back door, buckled EJ in, kissed his forehead like I always did, and then closed it slowly.

Jonay leaned against the passenger side, arms crossed under her chest, eyes trailing over me like she was memorizing every detail for a dream she didn’t want to wake up from.

“Thank you,” she murmured, her voice low and sweet. “For today. For everything.”

I stepped into her space and slid my palm against the curve of her waist, as if I already knew where I belonged.

“You ain’t gotta thank me for what’s already mine to protect.”