“Promise.”
I held out the pinky of my left hand. Ishmael uncurled the rest. He took his eyes off the road briefly as he slid the diamond onto my finger. Slowly, I sat up in my seat, admiring the stone while attempting to make sense of the moment.
“Promise,” he replied.
“Ish.”
“Marry me, my baby.”
“Ishmael!”
I stared at my hand, feeling myself coming unglued. I was ripping at the seams.
“Marry me.”
“Baby!”
“Marry me.”
He brought my hand to his mouth.
“I’ve never been more sure about anything in my life. I’m sure ‘bout you, my baby. Marry me.”
I nodded.
“Yes.”
“Yes?”
“Yes.” I repeated. “Yes.”
His palm collided with the steering wheel.
“That brings me joy, baby. So much joy.”
“Don’t ever take that long to come get me.”
I punched him in his arm. He rubbed the spot.
“I won’t have to come get you because I won’t go to sleep with that heavy of a heart. I won’t let you either.”
“Good, because I hate begging niggas.”
Chuckling, he glanced at me and then the road.
“You ain’t gon’ let me live that down, huh?”
“I’m not.”
“I done did some begging, my baby. It’s okay. I’m prepared to beg for the rest of my life.”
“Whatever it takes.”
“Whatever it takes,” he joined. “I love you.”
“I love you.” I sighed, unable to keep my eyes off the diamond causing commotion on my hand and in my heart.
It was perfect. A single diamond-encrusted band with a single stone to top it off.
