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6

Shiloh

The fact that I hadn’t gone on a date in over a year wasn’t what had my nerves on edge. It was more that I had never taken my children with me on a date. I didn’t even take Theo out with me at first when Greg and I were dating. I always left him with family or a friend because I didn’t know how I felt about him getting to know my son.

He said it wasn’t a date, but going somewhere with a nonfamilial male was essentially a date. Quinton and I weren’t exactly what I would consider friends. At least not yet anyway. It was different with Quinton. Our sons were classmates. It wasn’t about me introducing a man to my children. He already knew them.

Theo was excited to go to mini golf, which was a good thing. I made sure Trey’s greedy ass was fed, and I had all his snacks and an extra bottle on chill in my bag. Quinton had a son, but a single mother of two with a baby that was still breastfeeding was another thing.

“He’s here, Mama!” Theo yelled from the window where he had been impatiently waiting for our ride.

I told him I could meet him, but Quinton insisted on picking us up.

“OK, baby. Grab your brother’s bag.”

“OK.” Theo scurried over and grabbed Trey’s bag as I placed him in his car seat and fastened the intricate buckles.

By the time I strapped him in his seat, there was a knock at the door. I picked Trey’s seat up and carried him over to the door. When I opened it, Quinton greeted me with a smile. I was used to seeing him in his work uniform, but tonight, he wore dark jeans and a black T-shirt with one of my favorite singers on it.

“Hey, Shiloh. Y’all ready?” he asked.

“Yeah, I was just coming out. Come on, Theo.”

Quinton laughed as Theo sprinted past us and dashed out to his truck.

“Hey, Vick!” he yelled.

“What’s up, man?” Victor responded, opening the door.

“I’m glad to see they’re getting along better,” I mentioned as I locked up.

“Me too. Let me take big man. He looks heavy.”

“He is. I said I would breastfeed until he was one like I did with Theo, but I’m about to put his big behind on a diet.”

“It helps with his immune system and all that, right?” Quinton asked.

“Yeah. He’s never been sick. I make sure to eat pretty healthy because I know it affects him. Nursing helped me lose all my baby weight too.”

“Well let’s go. I made the mistake of telling Victor where we were going last night, and he’s been worrying the hell out of me ever since,” Quinton said, leading the way to his truck.

“Oh, so you’re not excited?”

“I didn’t say all that.”

“You didn’t say anything.”

“Well, Ms. Shiloh, I’m very excited to kick your ass in mini golf,” he told me as he opened the back door and secured Theo’s seat. Once he was in the car, I continued the conversation.

“I’m glad you think I’m a rookie. I’m about to show you something,” I taunted.

“Don’t think I’m going to take it easy on you because you’re pretty,” he threatened.

“OK, it’s on.”

“And when you lose, you owe me a kiss,” he said as he drove out of the parking lot of my complex.

I threw my head back, laughing at his comment. “Oh, wow. Now I really have to show you what I’m working with.”