-1 month later

Erin

"Alright last pose." I continued snapping pictures of my 5th client of the day

She did as instructed and I snapped the last few pictures.
My business has been booming lately and the income is lovely, I'm booked up for two months in advance, and I still work part time at the dentist office. I've never been more tired yet satisfied in my life.

"Oh these are amazinggg." The expecting mom brightly smiled while I showed her the pictures

She was barely showing but doing a maternity shoot. I guess some people really like to track their whole pregnancy.

"Thank you. You wanted slight editing right?"

"Yeah, just a few tweaks here and there."

"Ok, I'll edit them tonight and have them to you first thing in the morning."

Normally I'd edit all the pictures within an hour or two, but it's closing time and I'm exhausted.

"Thank you again." She hugged me

"Oh, ok." I was a bit surprised by the hug but accepted it anyway

"You've really made my day. My pregnancy hasn't been going too well, the father's not active and seeing these amazing pictures just warms my heart." She sounded like she wanted to cry

"Aw. Thank you, I'm glad I could help in some way."

She smiled while rubbing her belly "Well, let me get home." She chuckled

"You be safe London."

I always like to address my clients by their last name first, just being formal. But she insisted on me calling her by her first name.

"You too." She grabbed her belongings

*

"Hey handsome." I sat my keys on Chris' counter

I haven't moved in or anything, but I do have a key and I use it proudly.

"Wassup baby, how was your day?" He paused his game

"Long." I took off my shoes, walking over to the couch "But my last client was really sweet though. She's 3 months and the dad isn't active and-"

"She gave you her whole life story huh?" He chuckled

"Yeah, it was kinda' weird for me, but she said I made her day which was really sweet." I blushed, laying my head on his lap

"That's really nice baby." He played in my hair "Wanna know something? You made my day too."

"Really?" I looked up at him

"Yeah, soon as you came in my heart skipped a beat." He bent his head down to kiss me

"Aw babyyy." I said before our lips met

We shared a few long pecks before pulling away

"And it'd really make my night if you gave me some."

"Moment ruined." I was about to sit up

He caught me and pulled me close "I'm playing, I'm playing." He laughed

"Mhm." I couldn't help but to crack a small smile

"Can I just get a taste?"

I got out of his embrace and stood up "I'm going to shower."

"You don't need to, I like it when it got a lil all day on it, adds some extra flavor."

I gasped and playfully hit him in the head with a pillow. "Nasty."

"You ain't seen nothing yet." He said as I headed upstairs

Next day

"Hey y'all sorry we're late. Traffic." I lied as we entered the dining area for Mel's birthday dinner

The real reason we're late is because Chris couldn't keep his hands and other body parts to himself, so we ended up having a quickie before leaving the house. We were only 30 minutes late, I'm sure Melanie won't mind. She's always late anyways.

"Girl please, traffic my ass. You lucky I just got here myself." Melanie chuckled

"Sad." I handed over her gift

As her and Chris greeted each other, I greeted Mario and Melanie's two friends. But I stopped in my tracks when I saw my parents.

"I thought you said they wouldn't be here." I whispered to Mel

"When I say that?"

"When we went out for drinks."

"Oh, girl you know how I get when I drink." She fanned me off "Go sit down, your seat is right across from them, introduce them to Chris." She nudged me

I could tell what she was doing and if it wasn't her birthday and I didn't love her so much, I'd leave this damn dinner.

"You real funny." I squinted

We walked over to our seats and Chris pulled my chair out for me. I could feel my parents eyeing me, but when I'd glance in their direction they'd look somewhere else.

"Thanks babe."

"No problem" he pecked my cheek once he sat down "You good?" He asked

I explained my relationship with my parents to him a while back, so he knows that we aren't on the best of terms. But as long as I don't pay them any mind this dinner should go smoothly.

"Yeah."

"Ouee. Who. Is. This?" Melanie's friend, Tyra, reached around me and held her hand out to Chris

"Now you know you don't wash your hands." I said, swatting her hand away

She sucked her teeth as everyone but my parents chuckled.
Tyra and Lexi have been Mel's friends since middle school so they're like family. They know it's all love.

"You not gonna introduce us?" Her other friend, Lexi asked

"Everyone this is my boyfriend, Chris. Chris these are Melanie's thirsty friends Tyra and Lexi."

"Nice to meet y'all." He waved

"At least someone has manners." Tyra replied

"So, I heard you and Mario are brothers. Y'all happen to have a third?" Lexi asked

"Nah." Chris chuckled

"See what I mean, thirstyyy." I said

"Hi Erin." My mom finally spoke

I cleared my throat "Hey."

Chris placed his hand on my thigh and rubbed it,  seeing how awkward that encounter was.

Omniscient

They were  halfway through dinner and Erin's parents hadn't said anything else to her. She hoped it'd stay like that.

"I think it's so cute how y'all rekindled the romance after all these years of being apart." Tyra said to Melanie

"Yes, y'all were high school sweethearts." Lexi added

"She's the only one I really ever loved." Mario replied, kissing Melanie's hand

"I love you too baby." Melanie blushed

"Awww" they said in unison

"So Chris, how'd you and Erin start talking?" Lexi asked

"Through Mel and Mario of course." He sat his drink down

"And what do you do for work?" She asked

"I own two tattoo shops. On in Virginia and one here in the A."

"And what's it called?"

"Alright now Lex. You interrogating the man." Erin said

"It's fine baby." Chris chuckled "Third Eye over on Lexington."

"The one that just opened not too long ago?" Tyra chimed in

"Yeah." He nodded

"Oh that place do some great ink. I got my sleeve done last week." Lexi showed him her arm

"You got a good one girl." Tyra nudged Erin playfully

"He seems much nicer than that Derrick thing." Their mom, Lena, said aloud

(Pictured: Melanie and Erin's mom/ Lena)

"Mom" Melanie said, trying to deescalate the problem before it started

"Well Derrick seemed nice in the beginning too sweetie." Their dad replied

"Excuse you. Why are y'all talking about that like I'm not right here?" Erin asked, already knowing where this was headed

She'd been feeling the animosity since she sat down. She tried to make it through dinner peacefully but if they wanted to start being assholes, Erin was ready.

Her mom sat her fork down "Oh, apologies sweetie. We're just saying-"

"No I get what you're saying. But it really wasn't necessary."

"Hey, don't take that tone with your mama." Her dad, Terrence, finally looked directly at Erin

(Pictured: Melanie and Erin's dad/ Terrence)

"Whatever." She scoffed, standing up and going to the restroom to keep from causing a scene

"There goes that temper." Her mom mumbled

"No disrespect, but that was unnecessary as hell of y'all." Chris got up following Erin

Once he reached the women's bathroom, he walked in with no hesitation.

"You can't be in here." An older white women came out the stall

He fanned her off and looked to see if he could spot Erin's shoes
The older woman exited the bathroom in a hurry.

"Nasty bitch ain't even wash her hands." Chris said to himself "Baby, you in here? Erin." He called out

She came out of the last stall, drying her eyes

"Aw baby, come here." He embraced her in a hug

"I'm sorry"

"Don't apologize. I can handle they lil snooty attitudes. I just wanna' make sure you ok." He looked down at her

She nodded "They are never gonna' let me forget about dealing with him."

"I can make you forget." He joked

Erin chuckled "Stop."

"Just tryna' make you smile." He left a soft kiss on her forehead

I appreciate it baby...Wanna ditch this dinner party?" She went to the sink to wash her hands, even though she didn't use it she'd touched the areas

"Of course. Besides, I think some old Karen went and told the manager I was in here."

Erin hurriedly dried her hands off and they exited the bathroom. Good thing she took her purse with her because that meant they didn't have to go back to the table for anything.
Once they got in the car, Chris sent Mario the money on Apple Pay to cover their food and they left, a few seconds later Erin got a call from her sister.

"Mel look I'm sorry about leaving like that but-"

Girl there's nothing to apologize about. I don't approve of the way they treating you so I'm leaving too, wanna meet us at the bar over on King St?"

"Yeah."

"Alright" she ended the call

Yes a time lapse. 😉

London just popping up wherever she pleases, huh?

And Erin's parents...Ugh

-Carlisha ❤️