———

"Sarah, I need you to clean up the studio for me. I have another artist coming through. Her name is Jhene Iko. She'll be here in 10 minutes, thank you." Peter's strong voice rang though the intercom.

I sigh, nodding as if he saw me. "Yes, Mr. Jones."

I left Christian in my office while he slept peacefully on the couch. I informed Jackie that Christian was in there and to watch him. She nodded happily, as I scurried off to the closer studio to Mr. Jones office.

Once everything was straight, a beautiful woman walked in with Mr. Jones right behind her. I stared at them, with the lyric to a song in hand.

"Jhene, this is my assistant, Sarah, Sarah, Jhene." Peter introduced.

I smile politely. "Hi, nice to meet you."

She smiled, giving me a dab. "What's popping fam."

What does that mean? Nothing popping... Unless someone is cooking popcorn in the break room.

I just smile, trying to mask my confusion.

"So, I have a song right here Ms. Iko, the booth is right there, let's get jiggy with it." Peter said, snatching the lyrics out my hand.

I gasp.

Rude much?

"Alright." As she walked on the booth, looking over the lyrics, annotating it, I guess, adding her flavor to it. Peter grabbed my arms, dragging me out studio.

He begins to pace back and forth, with a mean glare on his face. "What did you do to me?"

I shake my head. "What are you talking about? I didn't do nothing to you, Peter."

"Yes, you did." He snapped.

"Like what, Peter. What did I do I you, huh?" I asked, folding my arms.

I'm getting frustrated with him accusing me.

He stopped pacing, turning around to stare at me. The look he has in his eyes is unbearable pain and undying love. "All I think about is you. You make me want to treat you so right. I have never ever felt this way toward a woman, but you, you changed it. I need you so much. I love you, Sarah. Please, just give us a chance."

I put my head down, avoiding his stare. I like Peter, I really really do, but I just can't.

"Peter, I--"

"Before you say anything, just please think about it. I need you and Christian in my life." He grabbed my hands.

Maybe I should give it a try. I need him too and so does Christian. Christian needs a man in his life. A women can't raise a son by herself. A woman can't raise a boy up to be a man.

How to dribble a ball, how to talk to a lady, how to walk like a man.

A mother can't.

I stare up at Peter and smile. "I've known you for a long time and you just simply make me happy. I denied you because my past and I don't want my past to be the reason I no longer love. I need you too and so does Christian. I'll give it a try."

His eyes widened and he ran over to me, hugging me. "Oh, my God. Are you serious? You're willing to give us a chance?"

I smile, nodding. "Yes."

"I love you so much." He leaned in to place a sweet loving kiss on my cheek.

"I-I—"

He cuts me off, smiling. "You don't have to say it right now."

I smile back, nodding. "Okay."

We walk back into the studio and Jhene walks out, smiling wide. "Okay, I'm ready. This song is amazing."

She walked in the booth, putting on the headphones. As the beat played, she began to sing into the mic.

"Is it strange for me to say that

If I were to die today

There's not a thing that I would change

I've lived well

Maybe I have made mistakes and been through my fair share of pain

But all in all, it's been okay, I've lived well

And the more that I see, the more that I know

I don't know anything, at all

Like the more that I breathe, and start to go slow

Of all the many things, I can only recall

All of the good things, good things

All of the good things, good things

Only the good, the good, the good

Only the good, the good, the good

Living on Sycamore street, and spending weekends on the beach

We were free, to be everything we dreamed

Flying kites and water fights

Summer nights, we'd ride our bikes

On Over Hill, Ladera Heights

Man I swear"

After hours of corrections, the song was finally finished and Jhene was proud of the work she created.

As Peter replayed it, I looked over at Peter and smiled a little.

"Miss Aiko! I fucking love you." He ran up to hug her.

I frowned, "I've never heard you curse before Peter."

"There's a lot you don't know about ole Pete here." She stood on her tippy toes and draped her arm over his broad shoulders.

He stared at me and I quickly looked away. I guess Aiko could sense the tension, so she began talking again.

"So, Peter, I'll talk to ya later, okay?" She said, pulling him into a tight hug.

He hugged back, smiling a bit too hard for my liking. "Alright, see you later, I have to call a few people about this track and I'll get back with you."

After I escorted her out, I went back to Christian. As I walked into the room, I was immediately jumped on by Christian.

"Mommy, I miss you! I wake up and you was not there." He pouted. I laughed causing him to frown. "I sad and you laugh, mommy why?"

I smile at him, caressing him fat cheeks. "No, baby. I'm laughing because I miss you too. Look it's time to go home, Its movie night." I cooed.

He began to jump up and down, "L-lets watch Nemo! No, Spongebob! Noo! Superman and Batman!" He yelled.

I hushed him, covering his mouth. "Christian, hush up boy. Mommy is still at work. So be very quiet or you getting a whooping."

He quiet himself quickly, but still smiled. He knew I didn't have the guts to hit him. His cries are too much to handle.

As we walked out the room, Peter and I bumped into each other.

"Can I talk to you?" Peter asked, staring me down.

"I've already clocked out and our bus leaves in twelve minutes." I said. I wasn't avoiding a conversation with him, I just really want to get home.

"Let me take you and Christian home and we could talk there. Please, baby." He begged.

I tense up and look down, my face began to get hot and I knew I was blushing.

"Okay," I mumbled.

He grabbed my hand and we followed him to his car. Like the gentleman he is, he opens the door for Christian and I strapped Christian on the seatbelt and Peter closed the door. I made my way to the passenger door and waited for Peter to open it.

"You are so beautiful," He whispered.

I gulped, looking down at the ground. "Thank you,"

He opened the door, allowing me to get in. When he closed the door, I watched him walk over to the drivers side.

--

I unlocked the apartment door and let Peter in first, since he was carrying a sleeping Christian in his arms.

"You can take him to his room," I pointed to Christian's bedroom.

He nodded. Once he came back, he took off his jacket.

"It's hot in here." He commented.

"What do you wanna talk about?" I asked.

He sat next to me on the couch and scooted closer to me.

"I'm so sorry for swearing. I was just excited for Jhene and I guess it slipped. I didn't mean to disrespect you." He apologized.

I nodded. "It's fine, I was just shocked. It's your mouth, you can do whatever with it."

He smirked. "Can I kiss you?"

"Cheek,"

"No, just one kiss and I promise that is it." He said.

"Fin—"

Before I could finish my sentence, Peter's warm lips we're on mine. They we're moving slowly against mine. I moaned in his mouth, his hand gripped my waist.

He lifted me up on his lap and I deepened the kiss. Shocking both of us, when I began to grind on him. His hands flew to my rear end, squeezing it.

"Fuck," He whispered against my lips. He smacked my butt, licking and sucking on my neck.

I moan, "Peter,"

"Mm, baby, you are beautiful."

"I want you, Peter." I said, still grinding against his hard on.

What am I doing? Why am I not stopping this foolishness?!

He groaned against my neck, "Fuck, do it again. That feels good, baby."

I kiss his neck, "Peter,"

"Yes, love?"

"I want you." I stared into his blue eyes.