Page 7 of Only a Gemini Will Do

“Why not?”

“Same reason as you. I figured there was a high chance you’d moved on and forgot about a nigga.”

My brows lifted toward my laid baby hairs. “Seriously?”

He belted out a soft chuckle that sounded more humbled than hilarious. “Yeah. I mean, I knew what it was when we said goodbye in Tampa. Disappearing was my way of handling things. You know that was always the plan. I told myself I was good with just having some wild ass memories to look back on if I couldn’t have you. I figured a better nigga would’ve stepped up to fill the void. Someone safer for you.”

My chest rose and fell with a hard sigh. Most men gave me trust issues. Kareem gave me butterflies.

“Now look at me, soul tied to a demon,” I replied with a soft chuckle.

Kareem laughed. “No bullshit. I kept imagining you with some clean-cut nigga that graduated college. Somebody who whips a Hybrid, has a real retirement plan, and ain’t always looking over his shoulder. I should’ve known you’d always double back to a nigga like me.”

“There was never another guy after you. Just me and this baby. And a whole lot of wondering if I’d ever hear from you again.”

He finally reached for my hand, and it felt like sparks went off as he brushed his thumb over my knuckles. “I’m glad you didn’t move on, shawty, because I didn’t either, and now I know why.”

I steppedout of the restaurant with my fingers laced with Kareem’s, feeling ten times lighter than I had before I arrived. The night air was warm as we walked side by side down the street, neither of us rushing to speak. The silence wasn’t awkward—it was comforting. At least for me, it was.

“You good?” Kareem inquired gently.

I nodded, then shook my head in contradiction. “I don’t know. A part of me feels fine. The other feels like I just jumped off a fucking cliff every time I think about being someone’s parent in six months.”

He glanced at me with a soft laugh. “Same.”

We reached the edge of the street, where the taxis were waiting. He hesitated before turning to me. “Do you wanna head back to my place, or do you wanna walk some more?”

“Is it okay if we walk?”

“Yeah. Let’s go.”

We wandered through the narrow streets, my gladiator sandals clicking and clacking against the pavement with each step. Kareem remained close like a shadow, pointing outdifferent places nearby that he’d frequent for one reason or another.

“Y’know, all I kept thinking about after I found out I was pregnant was how my entire future changed in one weekend. First, the hurricane canceled my trip. Then I came home and found you in my apartment. And . . . nowthis.”

Kareem slowed his pace. “I know this shit is heavy, but I’m here now. The man in me will never letchu carry the load alone.”

I exhaled, feeling the tension melt from my lean shoulders. “Even though it’s messy?”

“Especially then. I’ve never been scared to fuck around and find out,” he stated confidently.

We paused under a dimly lit streetlamp. And for the first time since I found out I was going to be a mother, I felt something close to solace. Still, I knew the cold reality still lingered beneath the surface. I stared at him, noticing the glow of his handsome profile illuminated by the streetlamp—his long, wispy lashes, bearded jawline, and full, curved lips.

“How would this even work?” I blurted out.

His brows slightly rose. “Whatchu mean?”

I sighed. “You. Me. This baby. You can’t go back to the States, Kareem, and I live there. My entire life is there.”

He didn’t respond right away. He chose to keep walking instead, allowing his silence to stretch between us like a rubber band as I trekked beside him. “I’ve been thinking about that since you showed me that fuckin’ sonogram,” he finally answered. “Even before that, actually. I know I can’t go back. Not without cuffs and a cell waiting for me the moment I set foot back on U.S. soil.”

I dipped my chin. “So what does that mean . . . y’know, for us?”

“It means I gotta continue to build what I’m building here. Something safe for you and for the baby. That is, if you want it.”

I stopped walking. “Kareem, are you seriously asking me to leave everything behind when I just told you my entire life was in the U.S.?”

He turned to me. “I’m asking you to choose what feels right to you, shawty. Not what’s easy. I been told you I know this shit is heavy, but we’re both gonna have to make sacrifices if we both want this.”