When he cut the car off, I knew he planned to come inside. Even though I didn’t want our night to be over, I still teased him with, “I didn’t say you could come in.”
“So?”
“You’re like a little puppy that I can’t get rid of,” I said with a smile as he followed me to the front door. I didn’t know why he never parked in the garage.
“You don’t want to get rid of me.”
“True.”
“Plus…” He stepped in front of me and took my keys to unlock the door. Instead of opening it right away, he looked down at me and said, “You’re all I got, boo. All I want. I always wanna be witchu.”
Between his declaration, serious expression, and soft tone, my heart expanded in size.
“Because you don’t have anyone else?” I confirmed, needing to make this make sense.
He chuckled softly and shook his head. “Nah. Because I don’twantanyone else.”
Licking the corner of my mouth, I avoided his eyes as my heart raced. “What’s happening between us, pooh?”
“I don’t know, but I’m brave enough to see where it goes if you are.”
My breath came out shaky as I nodded. “I-I think I am too.”
“Nah.” His head shook as he tilted my head by my chin and forced me to look into his eyes. “If we do this, you gotta be sure.”
“I want to be. I’m just… surprised and confused. I didn’t even think you liked me.”
His smile was soft. “Of course I like you. I love you. I’m in love with you. I just didn’t want to ruin our friendship. Plus, I wanted to get out the streets first. I probably wouldn’t have mentioned my feelings for you, but the thought of you dating someone else fucked with me, clearly. You’re mine, and I’m yours. I meant it when I said that shit.”
Cupping my cheeks, I giggled as excitement surged within me. I couldn’t believe this was actually happening.
“I’m in love with you too. I never thought I was your type. Figured we’d always be friends. But if you really want more,… I’m sure.”
The left side of his mouth lifted as he smirked. “I’ma be right back, aight?”
“Oh. Otay.”
He opened the door, then locked it behind me once I made it inside. I wasn’t sure what he was up to,… but I couldn’twaituntil he came back.
Ilooked from one tombstone to the other. Cordova’s mother and aunt were buried in the middle next to each other, and their husbands were on the sides of them. As fucked up as it was that she’d lost them all, I was glad she had unconditional love from them, even if it was for just a little while.
“Since I can’t ask for y’all permission to be with Cordova, I just… wanted to come and pledge my allegiance to her. I’ve always loved and protected her, and it won’t be any different now that we’re taking things to the next level. Actually, it will be different. It’ll be better. I promise to love, care for, protect, cherish, and provide… for the rest of our lives. She won’t want for nothing with me, and she’ll always be safe. I won’t suggest that I’m this… spotless, perfect man, but I’ll be the best man for her.” I paused before telling them, “She will always be safe with me. Respected. Prioritized. She will always be safe with me.”
I stood there for a while before leaving and heading out. It was a little after seven, so stores were still open. I didn’t want to start this new phase between us empty-handed. She loved makeup, candles, reading, movies, puzzles, and coloring. She was also a homebody that loved to cook. I stopped by the mall and got her a gift card for Sephora, Ulta, and Barnes and Noble, then I went to a Black-owned bookstore and got a few coloring books and puzzles for her. My last stop was Domino’s, to get her favorite pizzas, before I headed back to her place.
Since I was going to let myself in, I called her when I was pulling back up. I put all the gift cards in the bags with her coloring books and puzzles so I didn’t have to make two trips. Her eyes widened, and she gasped before clapping and shimmying from one foot to the other. She was so happy about the pizza she didn’t even notice anything else.
“My faves from my fave. Thank you, pooh.”
“You’re welcome. Figured I owed you a meal since I stole you from your date.”
She laughed and took the boxes from me. My eyes lowered to her ass as she walked away. It wasn’t super big, but it fit her petite frame.
“Here,” I said before she went into the bathroom to wash her hands.
“Oh. Thank you!”
She set the pizzas down and accepted the other bags. Her excitement grew with each item she pulled out. By the time she was done, her smile was so wide her eyes were damn near sealed shut. That was my favorite sight. My personal masterpiece. My Mona Lisa. I couldn’t stop myself from telling her that.
