“Ay. I meant everything I said,” I said softly. “I only want to do this shit with you.”
“Me too.” Asante grabbed my hand and lifted it. He kissed my wrist. “I meant everything I said too,” he reiterated. “I’ve got you.”
I nodded at that.
“I believe you.”
7
ASANTE
ONE YEAR LATER
Ipoured a little bit of sugar in the coffee mug in front of me, stirred it quickly then plucked it up and spun around in time to see Bishop throw his tie on around his neck and tie it in record breaking time. He smiled at the mug I was offering him, took it and leaned in to kiss me quickly.
“Thank you.”
“Yep.” I shifted out of his way and moved to pop the toast I was making out of the toaster.
I tossed it on to one of the waiting plates that already had eggs, bacon and grits on it and offered that to Bishop too. A huge smile took over his face and it made me smile in return. I didn’t think I’d ever get tired of seeing how happy me making him breakfast made him.
I was never someone that ate breakfast. I was the type to stick to protein until I got my morning workout done while Bishop ate enough food to put a trash compactor to shame before he started his day.
He grabbed a fork and took a bite still standing up, humming and nodding as he chewed like the same breakfast I made him once a week was the best cooking he’d ever had.
“Thank you,” he said again.
“You’re welcome.”
I leaned back against the counter while he walked around the kitchen to our small table and collapsed at it. He checked his phone with one hand and shoved food in his mouth with the other and I knew without having to ask that he was checking in on security shit. He checked the family’s security cameras like the morning paper.
I walked over to the pantry and grabbed a protein bar that I cracked open and walked back out to join him at the table.
Even though he and Rook technically still shared a house, he spent a lot of time at my spot. I mean, I spent nights over at their spot too but it just made more sense for Bishop to be here. I knew Rook better now. I’d officially met him outside of the club scene and we’d even all hung out together. I knew that he was well aware of what was going on with me and Bishop but I also knew we were more comfortable in my spot where we could kiss in the kitchen and act like a long term domestic couple instead of whatever the fuck we probably actually were.
We were a year into our relationship and we still weren’t seeing anyone outside of each other but the fact that Bishop’s upcoming wedding day was closing in was like a dark cloud over our relationship. Shit. I knew what it was when I’d gotten with him and knowing what I knew now, I still didn’t regret shit.
Bishop was a good man from an unconventional family and he deserved to be happy. Shit. He deserved me, and I felt like I deserved him too.
I had faith we would figure shit out. We didn’t have any other choice at this point and I meant that.
If Bishop stood in front of me and told me he wanted me to go to war with his family by his side, I’d do that. If he told me he wanted to abide by his family’s rules, walk away from me and go off and marry some woman picked out for him, I’d let him.I’d swallow my pride, step back and let him go. He deserved happiness.
I was sure he was happiest with me, but I couldn’t force him to be anywhere he didn’t want to be and if he wanted to throw his happiness away for his family’s approval, I loved him enough to let him go even if I knew it wasn’t what was best for either of us.
I exhaled and swallowed. His eyes drifted up to me and they zeroed in on my face. I watched them bounce along my features. He was always trying to read me and it was almost scary how often he was fucking right.
“Where’s your head, Asante?” he asked.
“Nowhere.”
“Word?” He smiled. “We lie to each other now?”
“Just thinking about the wedding.”
Bishop set his phone down on the table and dropped his fork into his plate. “Whose wedding?”
“Aren’t you going to a wedding tonight?”
