“I was invited to a black-tie event by this guy I know. He’s trying to get into politics. You want to come with me?”
“Sure. Hopefully, I can find a dress before then. I don’t think I have time to order anything unless they do overnight or priority.”
“I’ll send you some money to get a dress and some shoes.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I invited you, right? It’s only right I pay for your dress.”
I was smiling like an idiot, and that made me realize that I had missed talking to Blaze. I’d damn sure missed having sex with him. I didn’t even remember falling asleep. I woke up hours later to soft snoring on the phone. The time said we’d been on the phone for four hours. With a smile on my face and flutters in my belly, I ended the call.
On Valentine’s Day, I actually woke up happy. I had been dreading it since being single, but I was actually okay. It took a while, but I was finally able to admit that being rejected and feeling like I failed at keeping a man happy was the main reason for my distress after my breakup. It wasn’t completely about being in love with Jeremiah. The more I embraced being alone, the easier it became to deal with the fact that Jeremiah cheated on me. I had single roses for each of my clients, and I sent my mother chocolate covered strawberries.
As soon as I finished my last client for the day, I was going to have to rush home and get ready for the event that Blaze invited me to. Smiling at my reflection, I admired the grey and white leggings and matching sports bra I was wearing. I wasn’t working out with a trainer anymore, but I went to the gym on my own at least twice a week. When it wasn’t too cold out, I wentto a nearby park and walked the trails. I was so happy with my body. I was 149 pounds. My thighs were still thick, but they were toned. My waist was small, and I had a cute lil booty. It was hard not to go back to eating crazy. I ate what I wanted in moderation, but I made sure not to go overboard with sweets, bread, soda, and alcohol.
For the black-tie event, I had a blonde 360 lace wig installed. I had it pulled up into a high ponytail with a long side bang that was curled. The blonde hair had me feeling extra sexy. I had missed Blaze, but one reason that I was glad he invited me to the gala was because I was horny as hell. In the two months that we didn’t speak, I went out on one date. There was no chemistry whatsoever, and I think the guy that took me out got mad that I didn’t invite him to my home afterword. He never called me again, and I couldn’t care less. Dating and exploring my options didn’t mean having sex with every Tom, Dick, and Harry.
People loved to wait until the last minute to get things done, so I was swamped at work. I still made it out of the shop on time, and I rushed home to take a shower. The dress I had decided on was red, strapless, and had a very high split on one side. I did my makeup and eyed myself in the mirror from various angles. I was so proud of myself for taking care of myself. I had been told so many times that I was glowing. I was truly happy and at peace. Honestly, I was more at peace single than I had been with Jeremiah.
The doorbell rang, and I assumed it was Blaze, so I didn’t check before opening the door. When I saw Jeremiah standing there holding flowers from the gas station, I frowned and his face fell.
“Wow. Where are you going?” he dragged his eyes down my frame.
I was beyond irritated that even after months, Jeremiah still wouldn’t leave me alone. But a part of me was smiling on theinside. The look on his face was priceless. Jeremiah was eating his heart out.
“Jeremiah, you really have to stop showing up at my home uninvited. We are done. I don’t want anything from you, and there is nothing for us to talk about. I’ve moved on.”
“Did you even love me?” When tears filled his eyes, my jaw slacked. I didn’t know whether to laugh or be confused. The fuck was he crying for?
“Are you serious right now?” My head jerked back.
“Yes, I am. Literally a week after you stopped answering my calls, you had sex with another man. Now you’re saying you moved on. My replacement must have been putting in work long before I did what I did.”
“If that’s what you think I won’t try to change your mind. I don’t owe you an explanation. My date will be here any minute, and I don’t want you here.”
“Bet,” Jeremiah angrily tossed the flimsy flowers in my yard before turning to walk away. He was pissed, and I didn’t care. If he thought I was sitting around depressed, gaining even more weight, and waiting for him to come crawling back, his bubble had been busted.
Walking into my bedroom, I gathered my purse and my phone. I had just sat down on the couch when I saw Blaze’s Bentley turning in the driveway. It would be my first time seeing him in two months, and I couldn’t believe I was nervous. I sat patiently waiting and didn’t stand until he rang the doorbell. When I opened the door and saw him clad in a black suit that had been tailored perfectly for his body, my yoni creamed.
“Damn,” I couldn’t keep the compliment to myself.
Blaze was eyeing me just as hard as I had been eyeing him. “My sentiments exactly. You wearing the hell out of that dress.”
I smiled and walked out of the house. “You know there are flowers in the grass?” He asked as I locked the door.
“Yes,” I sighed turning to face him. “I don’t feel like bending down in this tight dress. I’ll get them later. Jeremiah got mad because I asked him to stop showing up at my house.”
Almost instantly, the lust in Blaze’s eyes faded. His irises darkened, and I subtly shook my head. “He’s not ruining my evening. Come on.”
Blaze turned and walked away. Following closely behind him, I admired his swag, his vibe, his everything. I wasn’t necessarily ‘searching’ for anything besides self-love during my healing phase but if I kept it real with myself, it would be hard meeting the man that topped Blaze Carter. He opened the car door for me. When I breezed past him, lightly, he smacked my ass, and a smile lifted my lips.
In the car, we talked about everything and nothing. I recognized the hotel that Blaze pulled in front of. They had a huge ballroom and a lavish rooftop restaurant and bar. Once he passed his key fob to the valet attendant, Blaze grabbed my hand and led me inside the hotel. On the elevator, he pressed the button labeled with20, and pulled his phone from his pocket. The doors slid open when we reached the designated floor, but he didn’t move until his text message was sent. With my hand still locked firmly in his, I followed him off the elevator and was confused because we were on a regular floor with rooms. I was even more confused when he pulled a key card from his pocket and opened the door of one of the rooms.
The moment I stepped into the spacious suite, my jaw slacked. There were rose petals all over the floor, and a violinist was seated in the living room area playing what sounded like a Keyshia Cole song. I slowly inched inside the room and took in the various vases of roses in every color from red to white and pink. The couch was lined with gift bags, and a small buffet of food decorated the dining table.
Wrapping his arms around me, Blaze lowered his head and pecked my lips. “There is no black-tie event. I just wanted us to look fly while I treated you the way you deserved to be treated today. Even if you don’t want to be my girlfriend, I got that ass today, and you’re my Valentine.”
“You didn’t have to trick me. All you had to do was ask. I would have gladly been your Valentine, and I’ll be your girlfriend too.”
