Book Two: Adaptation

•34•

•Abel•

Just getting home from seeing Nava's family off at the airport, I park in the driveway before we get out to head inside.

Closing the door behind me to lock it, I hear Nava say, "Although I enjoyed having my family here, it's nice to have the house to ourselves again."

Turning, I see she just took her coat off to lay it on the arm of the couch in the sitting room. "I'm glad. First time in a while, I've seen you genuinely smile."

"Oh, I'm sorry," she turns to me.

"Don't be. I know I'm not your only source of happiness," I say as I come to wrap my arms around her waist. "I missed seeing you smile,"

"You make me very happy." She smiles, wrapping her arms around my waist as she pushes up on the tips of her toes to give me a kiss. "I've just really been in my head these past few months, and I'm sorry about that,"

"Stop apologizing." I stop her there. "You've been through a lot, I would never hold that against you,"

"I know." She rests her chin against my chest. "But you have, too,"

With a slight smile, I smooth her hair down. "Don't worry about me, Angel. I'm going to be fine."

"How do you know?" She peers up into my face with a look of concern.

"Cause I got you," I tell her simply. "As long as you're here with me, I don't need anything else." I take her face to smooth my thumb over her cheek.

"But -"

"Seriously, Nava, I'm fine." I cut her off seeing what she's trying to do. "I was upset at first, but honestly, when it happens for us, it'll happen. I'm not tripping about it."

"All-all right," she stammers, and I lean down to give her a lingering kiss.

"I love you." I bump my nose against hers.

"Mmm, I love you, too," she reaches to wrap her arms around my neck to pull me close.

"Always?" I lean back to see her face, and she smiles even bigger, which makes me smile too.

"Forever," she answers.

I'm about to lean down for another kiss when my phone starts going off, making me come up short. "Damnit," I sigh, and Nava giggles as she lets me go.

"I'll let you get that." She turns to head for the stairs, leaving me alone.

Pulling my phone out, I see it's Lamar calling me.

"Hello?"

"Hey, what's good? Did Nava's family go home yet?"

"Yeah. We just got home from dropping them off."

"Cool. Were y'all still going to Cash's dinner party tomorrow night?"

"Yeah, of course. When have I ever missed his birthday?" I laugh, making him laugh too.

Nava has been getting a little better about getting out of the house since her mom came to town. I was really worried she was going to turn into a shut-in.

"You got a point there. Did you guys want to ride with Wes and me?"

"Nah," I shake my head, "This is our first time really being alone since we moved in, and she not be mad at me. I think we'll ride in solo"

"Oh, okay, I got you. Well, alright, I guess we'll see y'all at the party then."

"Peace." I hang up with him as I start up the stairs to the bedroom.