single day. I’ve never been through what he has, but I know for a fact I would be devastated. Nothing means more to me than my princess.
“I know, Ryke. It’s not something easy to go through. I’m praying things get better and she’ll change and realize what she has.”
“I hope so too, bro. Thanks.”
I straighten and look at him. “For what?”
He shrugs. “For always having my back. For always looking out for me. For being the brother I never had.”
I place an arm on his shoulder. “Of course, man. We’re bros for life. You know I got you and your little girl, no matter what.”
I could be mistaken, but he looks like he’s getting a little teary-eyed.
“Thanks, Lorenzo.”
I nod and sit back, letting my arm fall to the side.
Then he takes me by surprise. “So… How about Carissa?”
The mention of her name sends shivers up and down my spine. Fuck, she was something else. The way she looked Friday night… I could stare at her all evening.
Those lips of hers fucking called out to me so many times. I wanted to taste them so badly. Lord knows how many times they’ve crossed my mind, as well as all they can do.
Fuck. I need to get these thoughts off my brain. This isn’t the damn time nor place for it.
But fuck, I was so close to kissing her. Both times I tried, I chickened out. I couldn’t do it. I was afraid and nervous. What if she’d pull away? What if she didn’t want me to?
I was also very skeptical about bringing Gianna up in the conversation. My baby girl is my number one priority, but how would she feel about it? If I would have sensed she had a problem with me being a dad, I would have been gone. If someone can’t accept my baby girl, then I know for sure they’re not the one for me. We come as a package deal.
And Sylvia… I was about to tell Carissa about her, but I couldn’t bring myself to get into it. Maybe another day, but Friday wasn’t it.
I know if there is any chance of this going anywhere, I will need to tell her about Sylvia. For now, I want to keep things light and easy.
Damn, holding back from kissing her had not been easy at all. I was so close to leaning in and stealing a kiss from those succulent lips of hers… luscious lips…
Then Sylvia’s face came to the front of my mind, so I left without looking back. Lord knows I had wanted to stay and kiss her, but I couldn’t handle the guilt.
And yet, since I’ve met her, all I can think about is her. Even more so now since Friday. I think I’m falling for her.
Does that make me a bad guy? Does it mean I’m forgetting about Sylvia?
I frown and look at Ryker, not knowing what to say.
“What? What’s the matter, bro? She ducking you?”
I shake my head. “No. Not at all. As a matter of fact, we’ve been nonstop talking and texting since that night. I can’t get her out of my mind.”
He smiles. “That’s awesome, man. So why do you look like something is wrong?”
I shrug, take a deep breath, and look at my daughter, the spitting image of her mother. “How can I even begin to entertain the thought of being with another woman, bro? I look at Gianna, and all I see is Sylvs. How can I ever go down that route again?”
Ryker waves at the girls who just shouted excitedly to grab our attention. “Sure, Gianna does look like Sylvia a lot, but don’t forget she’s got a lot of you too. Look at her,” he says, pointing at my daughter. “That’s your smile right there.”
It’s true. I’ve heard so many times that my baby girl has my smile. I see it too. But the rest is all her mother. Okay, and maybe she has my strong-willed character too.
“I know,” I say, not adding any more.
“Enz, you’ve gotta think of it this way. Sylvia would never have wanted you or Gianna to be sad or suffer. She wouldn’t want to think it’s because of her that you’re holding back. It’s been five years, dude. I think it’s okay if you start dating again. Hell, it’s even okay if you fall in love again. It doesn’t mean you stopped loving your wife. Sylvia will always have a special place in your heart.”
For the first time since meeting Ryker, he’s