His voice tightened with restraint, not rage. He was choosing calm on purpose.
“For that other lame, same goes for him. You my baby. Folks are going to have to learn to step light and stop playing with you in my presence, or I’m going to have to address it.”
It was right then I realized my baby wasn’t wrapped too tight, but what did that say about me? Because it turned me smooth the hell on.
He bent down to kiss my forehead and opened my car door for me, gentle like I was something to keep safe, not just something to be wanted.
“Follow me,” he said, then winked like he wasn’t just seconds away from fighting for my honor.
I slid into my seat, still replaying Mr. Henderson’s stare and that too-sweet smile that felt invasive. Was I too nice? Probably. I’d been calling it grace, but grace without boundaries was an open door, and I couldn’t keep offering that to people who didn’t show respect. I inhaled slowly and decided I’d get firmer, not cruel, but clear. My kindness wasn’t consent, my softness wasn’t permission, and I didn’t owe an apology for protecting myself.
My phone buzzed.
Mel:
Whew, ya man came in like Superman ready to save his Lois. Did you see the look in his eyes? He was all gas, no brakes. You forgot all about my ass, and I love this for you.
Don’t you dare feel bad, either. Go have fun with your boo and tell me all about it later. I’ll be with the girls and Nan.
You’re gonna love it! I love you!
I smiled at her texts, and her words loosened the knot in my ribs. Mel had always been my unapologetic reminder that I deserved to be chosen out loud, cared for without having to earn it through exhaustion. She kept telling me love didn’t have to be hunted; it could find me, then stay.
And Roman, he’d sliced through that hallway moment like he could hear discomfort in my breathing, clocking the tension in my shoulders and refusing to let it take up residence in my body.
So, I pulled out behind him and followed, letting him lead me into whatever he had planned.
We arrived at this park near the downtown district of Self Ridge, and the late afternoon light hit everything with a gentle glow, softening the trees and warming the sidewalk like the world was intentionally setting the mood. Roman paid for my parking and his, then came around to my door before I could even think about unbuckling too fast. He helped me out of the car, and when he took my hand, his grip was steady, sure, and protective without being possessive. It felt like guidance and care. He led me down a brick path toward a gazebo.
I gasped at the sign that was hanging:
Book Scavenger Hunt for Your Heart
My breath caught at the back of my throat. My eyes widened, and my mind tried to catch up. How the hell did he pull this off?
I smiled in awe and looked around at the decorated area with flowers, the food, and the cooler. It was thoughtful down to the details, not flashy, but intentional and my love language with receipts. Even the way the flowers sat in their arrangements looked curated, like someone had been gentle with every petal. I turned back toward him, and he was already looking at me. He wasn’t watching the setup, butme, as if my reaction was the only part he cared about getting right.
“How did you . . . When did you have time to do this?”
He reached for my other hand and held it too, as if he wanted both my palms in his, like he was anchoring me before I floated away in disbelief.
“I had this set up for you today by my cousin Bryce. Your girl Mel came through in the clutch, my homie Ahmad, and his girl, Jazz, along with her sister-in-law, Jonay,” Roman said with pride sitting heavy in his voice, like it belonged there.
“Ahmad’s a detective, so you know he made sure nobody messed with nothing. I owe his baby girl swim lessons for a month, but it was worth it to see the look on your pretty ass face. Come on. Let’s go. You have to read the clues, love. They are all book-related, and they have everything to do with what you told me you want in a new relationship,” he said as he squeezed my hand.
My heart fluttered in my chest, not loud or frantic, just full, and it made my eyes sting. I leaned up to kiss his lips before I would talk myself out of it. He looked surprised for a second, then his hand slid to my chin, gentle and certain, and he deepened the kiss like he was answering a question I did not know I was asking.
I walked over to the first clue.
“You’re the most beautiful woman in the world to me. I could never, ever just let you be. If you become mine officially, I’ll protect your pretty ass with my life, to the death of me.” My eyes watered. “This is safety,” I whispered, my voice trembling on the last word.
“That’s right, baby,” Roman said, close behind me. “I’ll always look out for you, protect you, and keep you safe, love.”
He reached into a bag and handed me a copy ofThe Point of Exhaleby Kimberly Brown, and I could barely keep it together. The cover felt cool under my fingertips. The moment felt warm all over my skin. My throat was thick with emotion, the way it always got when something hit too close to home. The way my book bae Safari stepped behind my girl Elise was everything.
“Thank you so much. I love Kimberly Brown down!”
He reached out for the book, and I held it instinctively, as I needed proof this was real. He laughed and shook his head. “I won’t keep it for long, beautiful.”
