Page 22 of Right Side of Paradise

Grown Folks Business

“Sweetie, wait a second,” my mother called just as I grabbed the door handle to get out of her car. “There’s something I want to ask you.”

I turned around at the quiet seriousness in her tone. I was way too anxious to try and decipher what she wasn’t saying. “What’s up, mama? Is everything okay?”

Sensing my panic, she placed a hand on my arm.

“Nothing’s wrong, Lo. I’m just checking in with you.”

She smiled when I let out a relieved breath.

“I noticed things were tense between you and Rico on Sunday. Wanted to make sure everything was okay.”

“Oh, that.” My eyes flitted around her car’s interior before jumping back to hers. “We’re fine, mama. It was just a petty argument.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes ma’am. We’re fine. I promise.” We were more than fine but I was not about to tell my mother the full extent of what that meant.

Some things were better left unsaid.

And only a pinch of guilt seized my heart recalling Rico’s words.

He said I’d never be someone he tried to hide and here I was hiding .

I just needed time to accept what we were doing before I tried to explain it to anybody else. Especially my mom.

“Okay. I’m so glad y’all are still close. But if a house full of men gets overwhelming, just know you can come see me whenever you want.”

“I know, mama.” I hugged her over the center console, breathing in the lingering notes of her Chanel perfume. Her scent hadn’t changed since I was a toddler and the comfort it gave me would never be matched. Kissing her cheek, I said, “Don’t worry yourself about me.”

She shooed me away. “I’m your mama. I’ll always do that.”

We’d been in the sun, on our feet for half the day.

Tired wasn’t the word. And yet, my mother’s face lit up like she was looking at me for the first time.

I existed because she wanted to be a mom.

My biological father was an anonymous sperm bank donor.

She and my grandmother were the only parents I’d known until she married Brock, and I never resented her for that.

A long time ago, I promised myself that if I ever had a child, I’d make them feel as loved and cherished as my mother made me feel all my life.

But until then, me and my birth control were stuck like glue.

“I’ll see you tomorrow to go over the last-minute stuff for the festival.”

“Sounds good.” Her eyes wrinkled at the corners. “I love you, Harlow.”

“I love you too, mama.”

By the time I made it in the house and showered, I was dead on my feet. Still, I climbed the stairs to Rico’s room and was both relieved and shocked to find him still awake.

Soul was behind him, arm slung over his torso. But Rico was wide awake and grinning at me when I got in bed in front of him.

“Why are you still up?”

“I wasn’t going to sleep until I heard you get in safe.” He kissed my shoulder. “Was hoping you’d come up here after your shower though.”

His arm moved in place over my hip, the comforting pressure of his heavy forearm instantly lulling me to sleep. Soul was spooning Rico and Rico was spooning me. I was cocooned and happy. So fucking happy.

The next two nights went the same way. When I got home, the only person missing was Christian because he was still at the bar. Rico and Soul were in bed and I fell asleep as soon as I joined them.

All week, Soul was slammed at the spa, I was busy helping my mom get this event together and Christian was picking up shifts left and right because his bartender was sick. Rico was the only constant while we were all over the place.

Just like ships passing in the night, I thought, settling against Rico the night before Juneteenth. It was hectic, but at least we had this.