Eriq“Very Single,” I whisper as I lean in a little closer. My eyes drift to her lips. Those lips I keep dreaming about and wanting to taste again. They are right there. All I have to do is just lean in a little more. Just a little more. I’ve wanted to kiss her all day. Every time she smiles, I wanted to pull her into my arms and kiss her senseless. But logic always stops me. She is pregnant with a boyfriend, someone she met after I ditched her. I have no right to want or expect more. I shouldn’t want anything, but one look at her makes me greedy because I want her, and from the way she’s looking at me, I’m thinking maybe I have a chance. Just one kiss. I inhale and lean closer, almost brushing her lips.‘Ding Dong’The doorbell rings.I jump back, startled by the sudden noise as Ami turns her head to the door.“I should get that.” She says. I want to tell her don’t go. I want to take her in my arms and kiss her, but the confidence I had moments ago was gone. Why would she want me? I a

EriqI open my eyes slowly and glance at the unfamiliar industrial pipe above my bed. Where? I turn to my left and realize I’m in the bedroom in Ami’s apartment. It’s amazing how much has changed in one day. Yesterday began like any other day, and then I saw her again, moved in with her, cooked for her, and even kissed her. I smile as I remember our kiss last night, but my smile quickly falls when I remember her calling for the father of her child. She wants him, not me, and he’s probably better for her and her child than I will ever be. After all, I’m broke, homeless, living in her apartment with a crazy cousin who burned down his-—-Shit Flavio. That crazy asshole won’t stop until I join him. I can’t live here and put Ami and the baby at risk. I need to tell her and find somewhere else to stay, maybe with Glen or perhaps staying with my parents is best. Flavio is crazy, but he wouldn’t burn down my parent’s house. So I should just stay there until I figure something out, but first I

Dad/ZayneI open my eyes slightly as light streams into the room. I look over at my wife and smile. I can’t believe after all these years, she still makes me feel like I’m on cloud nine whenever she’s near. I lean over to wake her up with a kiss and hopefully get some morning action.“Good morning my lo—”WHAMShe suddenly flies up, hitting me in the forehead. I grab my head and squint, but she’s looking straight ahead while panting.“My love?” She turns to me slowly.“Somebody’s pregnant,”“Huh?” I furrow my brows as I clutch my throbbing forehead. Pregnant? What is this crazy woman on?“Who’s pregnant and why did you suddenly jump up?”“I dreamt there was a fish was chasing me,” she says. A fish? My brain stops working for a second, trying to understand this dream of hers.“My love, a fish doesn’t have legs.” I chuckle at her silliness, but she isn’t amused and slaps my shoulder. ““Hey no hitting the husband,” I say as I grab her hand and kiss it. ““Who’s husband are you?” She gru

I stand frozen for a second, still shocked as she kisses me, but the warm sensation breaks the spell. I pull her close to me and deepen the kiss, tasting her sweet lips. When I break off the kiss, she's panting heavily and staring deeply into my eyes. "Ah," she says as she touches her stomach."Ami? Are you okay? Is it the baby? " I ask, immediately panicking. "I can take you to the hospital," I say as I scoop her up in my arms."Hold on, I'll take you.""Eriq, I'm fine," she says as she grabs my hand."Huh?""I'm fine. I think the baby just moved for the first time," she says excitedly as she rubs her belly again."Really?" I grin widely."Yeah, either that or it was butterflies."She says as she smiles and looks at me.Butterflies? The mention of the word gives me butterflies. Does that mean I gave her butterflies? Or it could be the baby, which is pretty cool. Either way, it's pretty cool, but I'm hoping it was butterflies for my own selfish reasons."Butterflies?" I ask as I inch

AmaijaAfter getting dressed, I head back downstairs. Eriq stands and walks over to me, smiling.“How do I look?”“Stunning.” I smile and blush under his gaze.“So, what time will you be home?” He asks.“The event ends at ten, so probably around 10:30.” He nods.“I wish you were coming.”“That’s okay. I’ll find something to do.” He says.“Why don’t you go out with some friends? Go to a bar or a club. Just don’t pick up any girls.” I grin.Ding. DongThe doorbell rings throughout the house.“That must be Vector.”“I’ll walk you out.” He says as he takes my hand and leads me to the door.“Oh, wait. I have to get something from the office.” He releases my hand and I head over, open my door and pick up the envelope from the desk and head back into the living room.“Here you go,” I say, handing it to him.“What is it?” He furrows his brows as he takes it from my hand.“Go ahead, open it.” He eyes me skeptically, but he opens it and reads, then his eyes go wide.“This must be wrong.” I shak