“You’ll answer to me. And it won’t be pretty.”
“I know that.” He cups my face. “I won’t break your heart. Never again.”
“You better not.” I grip the front of his shirt. “Are we seriously doing this?”
“I’m already in. One hundred. So… wanna be my boo thang?”
I side-eye him, but inside I’m hollering for joy. “I guess I could give it a try.”
“That’s my girl.” He grins. “Tripping all over enthusiasm.” He raises an eyebrow. “Got anything else you might wanna say to me?”
“Like what?”
“Gonna make me beg for it?”
“Tempting,” I tease and cup his face too. “I love you, Jones. I have since I was seven. Just been waiting for your dumb ass to catch up.”
He smiles and kisses me hard. Then long and tender, like a promise in front of all the people around us.
When my flight’s called, we reluctantly part. But knowing this isn’t the end, that it’s a new beginning, makes it easier.
“Safe travels, my queens.” He hands me the carrier.
We kiss again, then I join the boarding line, still dazed and delirious.
Now I understand that expressionpinch me, I must be dreaming.
But when I turn back, Dice is still standing there. The only man I’ve ever wanted.
Very much real.
With a last wave, I board the flight and find my window seat. I put my bag overhead and place Queenie’s carrier on my lap until take-off. I peek at her through the bars. She’s sound asleep with Spider-Man, unaware of the turn of events. Pulling out my phone, I call Rayne.
“Hey,” she answers. “You okay?”
Understandable question since I bawled like a baby for most of the car ride.
“I’m better than okay. Guess who showed up at the airport?”
“No, he didn’t…”
“Yeah, he did,” I say, keeping my voice low as another passenger settles in beside me.
“I knew he wouldn’t just let you go. The man was pitiful. Looking at you with those sad eyes. Like somebody stole his entire record collection. Tell me everything.”
“He bought a plane ticket just to get past security. Found me at my gate. Had a whole speech that was utter perfection. He said he’s in love with me and wants us to be together. Like for real. I thought I was hallucinating.”
“Not you getting your ownLove Actuallyscene.”
“I know, right? I’m still in shock.”
“How did you react?”
“At first, I thought, naw, he’s just caught up in it. But the more he said, the more I believed him. Do you think I’m being naive? I mean, do you think it’s really possible for Dice to do this with me? To give up other women? To commit?”
“I always knew he was crazy for you. So, yeah, I think it’s more than possible. But you have to trust him to come through. Otherwise,doubts and trying to protect your heart will have this failing before it even gets off the ground.”
“You’re right. It’s just that I’ve wanted it for so long, I think I’m afraid to believe it’s legit. But I have to have faith in him. Give it my best shot or I’ll regret it.”
