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Kingston pulls up to the curb in front of a small Spanish style home “Stay here for a sec”

I watch as he steps through aon the front stoop, the briarette The white paint on the iron fence is a little worn, but the yard is well-kept and the paint on the stucco siding see around, the entire street is that way for the most part

Kingston shakes hands with theforwhat the hell is going on, when Kingston steps to the side a little, givingto

“Holy shit”

Belle’s father, Jeroives me a smarmy smile as I approach “Well, look at you, Jasmine Got yourself a rich boyfriend, huh? If I would’ve known that, I would’ve answered your calls”

I glare as he laughs “Jero on?”

Kingston’s eyes turn to Jerohabit of his about two years ago and it creeps er like that “We need to get going,” Kingston grits out “Are you going to hold up your end of the bargain?”

Jeroarette beneath his sneakers and holds his pal up then Hold up a sec”

Hope blossoms as Jerome steps inside the house and calls hI can do is watch the door like a haaiting for my favorite little person to step out of it

Belle squeals when she sees me “Jazz!”

Her tiny body leaps off the stoop and runs straight forwith tears as I swoop her into my arms

After a big squeeze, I pull back to look at her It’s been less than two months since we’ve seen each other, but it feels like two years She seems so much older The adorable fat on her cheeks has lost its fullness and she’sanother baby tooth

“Hi, honey I’veon one of her braids “You look so pretty Did you just get your hair done?”

Belle nods enthusiastically “Uh huh Daddy’s girlfriend did ‘e hoht! She only had purple and I told her they hafta be pink and green”

I sreen is mine, so she always insisted on the same colored beads She has her father’s thick, coily hair which I adore in its natural state, but it’s difficult for her to e Every six weeks or so, I’d braid and bead her hair while atched Saturdaycartoons and ate donut holes Ourtiranted until now