I allowed Rowdy to order for me, and he decided on lamb chops, asparagus, and redskin garlic mashed potatoes. I’d never had lamb chops, but I was allowing him to take the lead on our first official date. We’d had brunch dates, but it was nothing compared to this. When the food arrived, it looked and smelled delicious. I didn’t regret his choice at all; I ended up loving lamb chops.
We shared laughs and learned even more about each other over dinner. I was falling so hard and so fast that I was getting scared. I never in life had someone show so much interest in every aspect of my world. It was a different but wonderful feeling. I knew I deserved it, so I wanted to welcome it with open arms. I had just been scorned so badly that now I thought everyone had agendas and secrets.
Before the date was over, Rowdy had the server take pictures of us at the table and near the window with the view of the city showing. The pictures came out so bomb that it looked like we were made specifically for each other. Everything about our connection felt so right. If I found out this man had hoes, I would probably beat their ass like they stole something. Ain’t no way I was about to come up off him.
When the date was over, he got into the car with me and advised the driver to take us to part two of our date. I was surprised because I thought we were done for the night. Twenty minutes later, we arrived at our second destination. We were at a winery that looked like it was closed. Before I could tell Rowdy that we should come back another day, he dragged me inside.
The place was empty other than the owner, who stood near the door as if she was awaiting our arrival.
“Hello, Mr. Thomas and the Mrs. I closed the place down as you requested, and it is all yours. I will see that you two have a wonderful evening,” the owner said as she led us to a wonderfully set table near a wine cellar.
She gave us a list of wines and their years, then told us to choose our first rounds to taste. When the wine came, Rowdy showed me how to properly sip and taste the wine. This man was so full of surprises, and I was there for it. An hour later, I had narrowed it down to my top ten favorite wines. Rowdy told me to pick one wine that would be my favorite. After I told him, he left and was gone for a while. I assumed he went to pay the owner. When he came back, he had a large box in his hands.
Rowdy set the box on the table and pulled out a beautiful wooden wine display with my name carved into the side and all ten of my favorite wines in it. He pulled the wine out that I told him was my favorite, and it hadRowdy & Harmoni, est. 2025labeled on the bottle. He also had one made for himself. Ijumped up from my seat and ran over to hug him. He smiled so hard at my excitement.
“Who sent you?” I asked with a raised brow as I pulled out of our embrace.
“What you mean?” he replied with a look of confusion.
“You too good to be true, man. Somebody gotta be out to get me and playing a trick on me. So, who sent you?”
“Girl, hush and let me love on you. We just gon’ say God sent me. You know he don’t make no mistakes!” he said, causing us both to laugh.
We ended our night with me on cloud nine. He rode in the car with the driver to take me home, and we hugged and kissed outside the car once we made it to my house. Rowdy was the perfect gentleman. He was never on no funny business. I received a hundred forehead kisses before we parted ways, then I went into the house and took a long, hot bath as I awaited my man’s call.
Once he was home and out of the shower, we fell asleep talking on the phone. It didn’t have to be said, and he didn’t even have to ask—it was now understood on both ends that this was my man.
Ihad just left the hospital from seeing Keith when Diamond called, asking if she could come over to talk and bring my son by to spend time with me. By then, I knew that in order to see my son, I had to deal with her. Diamond wasn’t a bad person, and she was a good ass momma. She just wasn’t Moni, and that’s why I damn near hated her ass. In my eyes, she would never be good enough to be my child’s mom, but in reality, she was his mom and wasn’t shit I could do to change that.
When I made it home, I tried to clean up the place as much as I could before they arrived, but the little hand knocking on my door told me I was too late.
“Dadddyyy, open this door!” JJ yelled as he knocked on my door with his baby hands.
“Who’s there? Is that JJ coming to see his daddy?” I said as I opened the door and swooped him into my arms.
We shared the biggest hug, then I kissed him on his forehead. His mom always had him dressed so nicely and looking like a big boy. He also had a better cologne collection than me. She sprayed it only on his clothes to avoid irritating his skin. Diamond really did her thang when it came to him, and I could honestly see where my money was going.
I played with my son for a while before sending him to play in his room. Then I invited Diamond into the kitchen, so we could sit at the table and talk.
Jakari, why are those dishes just sitting in your sink? Is JJ’s room really the only clean room in this house? What’s really going on?” Diamond asked.
“I’m gon’ hire somebody to come clean up. My head is all fucked up right now, so I can’t focus. You know this ain’t like me. My shit is always right.”
“Yeah, I know, and that’s why I’m concerned! Is this about what happened to Keith, or is it about you and that bitch breaking up?” she asked, not knowing her place.
“Watch yo’ mouth! But since you in my business, it’s about both! My head is all fucked up, and I don’t know if I’m coming or going.” I hung my head.
“Look, I’m here ’cause I wanna talk about us. Fuck that bitch! She don’t want you no more, Jakari. You gotta move on, baby daddy. This shit is crazy. You worrying yourself about someone who told you to your face that it’s over.”
“You saying all that to say what? ’Cause that shit ain’t making my situation better. The fuck!”
“I said that to say, give yo’ son a fair shot. He deserves to have both his parents in his life and live in a two-parent household. I want us to try and see where things can go with us. JJ deserves that.”
I knew my ears had to have been tripping. I scrunched my face up and sat up in my seat. This hoe had lost her shits. I don’t know what she thought I was gonna say, but I wasn’t feeling this shit at all.
“Diamond, I don’t even like you like that, baby girl. I’m not attracted to you, and I’m not interested in pretending to be a family. I love my girl, and I plan to get her back. I love the way you take care of my son, but it wouldn’t be fair for me to sell you a dream,” I honestly told her.
“How can you say that if you never gave me a fair shot? Do you think I intended to be a single mother to my first child? You are so stuck on someone who doesn’t want you that you can’t even see that your son is the only one hurt in the situation. Do you think she will ever love JJ? She’ll never accept him, and all that little boy deserves is unconditional love.”
