Leaning forward, Lucky pulled his leather wallet from the back pocket of his jeans, the other end still attached to the chain hooked to his belt loop. He popped the two snaps and dug inside. He unfolded a small slip of paper and handed it to her.

Baby Jade’s heart plummeted. She knew immediately what the paper was. She held it between her fingers, but couldn’t bring herself to take a closer look. She didn’t have any words of comfort to offer.

“The ultrasound says she was eight weeks along. I know the image looks like a blur. But that blur was my baby. My son or daughter. That baby was both of ours. She had no right to take that from me!” Lucky jumped to his feet. His wallet still dangling from his hip. He paced the floor. Baby suddenly felt like she was intruding on his personal grief. “She took something from me I may never have again. She never told me or consulted me. She was going to tuck tail and run. Who the hell does that?” He looked to Baby with his hands in the air.

She fumbled for words. She was scared to say the wrong thing and set him off further. “Lucky, I’m really sorry. You’re right. She handled it badly.”

“Badly?” He gaffed. “All you can say is she handled it badly?” His stance was wide, and he balled his fist.

Baby stood, setting the ultrasound picture on the table. She met his gaze and pulled back her shoulders. “Hey, I’m not the one who screwed you over. I understand you’re in pain, and I don’t blame you for being pissed. But you need to remember where you are and who you’re talking to. I’m not Carrie!”

Lucky’s face fell, and he sank to his knees. “Damn, Baby. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. It’s not something I talk about often. I keep it locked away and this is exactly why. If I let myself think about it, it’s like I’m grieving it all over again. I want to hold my baby.” He buried his face in the palms of his hands.

Baby Jade lowered herself to the floor. Her brain told her she wasn’t the one who should be comforting him, but her heart told her different. She took Lucky’s hands in hers, lowering her face to meet his. His deep chocolate brown eyes were now dull and wet from the tears he was trying to hold back.

“I refuse to cry for her,” he mumbled.

“We both know the tears have nothing to do with Carrie. It’s ok to grieve for the part of you that died that day.”

The muffled sound that came from his throat was too much to take. Lucky was still on his knees, and Baby Jade moved closer, positioning herself between his legs. He followed her gaze and placed one arm around the small of her back, making it easier for him to lean in. Using the back side of his other hand, he grazed her cheek, taking his time making his way to her chin where he tilted her face up to meet his. Like magnets, his warm mouth found hers. The kiss was soft at first as his lips gently caressed her own. Her arms entangled around his neck, pulling him closer, and her hands found his thick hair. Growing hungry, she allowed her lips to part, welcoming him to explore. He tasted like Shiner, and she was taken aback by the craving consuming her body. She wanted to drink every part of him.

By the time Ma’Linn came rushing in, Baby Jade was on Lucky’s lap straddling his waist. His hands pinned Baby’s behind her back while his tongue devoured her neck.

Looking back on the scene now, she could see how Ma’Linn might have taken it the wrong way, especially since Baby never had company over since trying to walk the straight and narrow. Ma’Linn had hiked up her dress and stepped over the splintered remains of the front door. Within seconds, she was beating Lucky across the back with her extremely heavy, carry-all tote bag.

She’d started chanting some old school Vodun curse or some shit like that. After twenty minutes, Baby Jade got her to calm down and Lucky went back to work on the door. Baby walked Ma’Linn home and explained the bizarre events of the day.

“Oh, child, dat boy look like he can handle you good! Like you be needin’.” Ma’Linn tossed her head back and gave a hearty cackle.

“Am I that bad?”

“Sometime, yes. Ever’body be needin’ some good handlin’ from time ta’ time.”

Baby didn’t bother asking Ma’Linn if she’d been getting handled lately. Although it had crossed her mind the way her friend had been disappearing a lot during the day.

***

Now, eight hours later, Baby considered Ma’Linn’s words. Maybe she was right. Ever since she and Lucky spent their afternoon getting better acquainted, Baby felt more alive. Jewella still had yet to get under her skin tonight.

“You’re not wearing that on stage, are you?” Jewella asked, wagging two long bony fingers gripping a cigarette in her direction.

“What’s wrong with it?” Baby looked at herself in the makeup mirror and was impressed with the reflection, loving the way the green and black set off her dark hair and smooth skin.

“You know Mickey doesn’t like the leather. It looks cheap.”

“Mickey can kiss my ass. You know what? You can tell him I said exactly that,” Baby Jade shot back.

“Oh, don’t worry. I will,” Jewella said before she hurried up the dressing room steps.

Dammit! This was going to be a long night. She waited for a few minutes, ready to take her tongue-lashing from Mickey, but he never showed. She ventured upstairs and was happy to see the room was almost wall to wall with happy go lucky men waiting for a show. The music was upbeat, blasting some old school Def Leppard. Baby was put at ease when she spotted Jewella pouting in the corner and Mickey hobnobbing with a couple of thugs in suits. He obviously didn’t have time for his girlfriend’s childish antics tonight.

She made her usual rounds, making small talk with the regulars and making sure to pay special attention to the newbies and good tippers. She was stalling, uncertain how things would play out when she came face to face with Lucky.

Hearing the roar of the Harley as it parked outside the club made Baby’s heart thud loudly in her chest. She touched her fingertips to her lips, remembering the kiss.

It took him less than ten seconds to lock eyes with Baby across the packed room, making the tiny hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. His gaze smoldered, blazing with intensity. His lips curved into a slight smile. More like a panty-dropping smirk.

Lucky didn’t step any further into the club. He sported his best bouncer face and settled up against the wall by the entrance, never taking his gaze off her. He left the stool open, and Baby assumed it was for her. She decided to ask Mickey if she was supposed to babysit the new guy again, praying he said yes.

“Hey, got a minute?” she asked Mickey as he scrolled through the playlist.

“Make it quick,” he snapped.

“Trying to figure out my role for the night. Working the floor or babysitting in between sets?” Baby tried to be nonchalant, and not give away how anxious she was to be near Lucky, to smell him and touch him. Thinking about him made her light-headed. The man was intoxicating.

“Yeah, I guess you need to hang with the new guy. Jewella’s in rare form tonight.” Mickey’s head shot up from the binder, glaring at Baby. “And not a word from you.”

“Hey, I wasn’t going to say anything. I don’t need any drama tonight,” Baby protested.

“Me either. Squash whatever shit you have with her. At least for tonight. I don’t need the fucking headache.”

“Fine with me.” She turned to walk away.

“Baby?” Mickey called, stopping her in her tracks. She knew it was too damn easy.

“Yeah?”

“The way that leather grips your ass makes me think maybe I should rethink the dress code around here.” Mickey snickered and went back to his binder.

Baby Jade shuddered in disgust.

Putting on a show, she sashayed her way through the crowd on her way to meet Lucky. She felt his gaze following her every move. She toyed with him, taking her time, swinging her hair to one side. Still feeling the heat of his lips all the way between her legs, Baby knew what the sight of her neck did to him. She giggled as she moved closer and Lucky stood upright, attempting to adjust the front of his jeans without drawing attention to himself, but she knew better.