“If I’m going to be around you, you’re going to have to teach me Spanish. I need to know what you’re saying.”
“I love to teach, so I definitely won’t mind teaching you and baby Bella Spanish. Amira’s grandparents are from the Dominican Republic. Her mother doesn’t think she can teach her Spanish, so I’ve taken up the task.”
“If you’re serious, I would love to learn.”
“Of course, I’m serious, Jameela. On another note, how was the appetizer? You ain’t said nothing about my dragon eggs.”
“No you did not just get offended about your cooking!” I laughed.
It was hilarious how serious Nicholas looked. He picked up his champagne glass from the table and sat next to me before taking a sip.
“How’s your drink? I wasn’t sure if you liked champagne.”
“I love it, actually. This is a really good one. The deviled eggs are good too. I don’t usually like eggs.”
“Why didn’t you tell me that?”
“It’s fine. They were delicious. You have great taste.”
“I picked you, didn’t I?”
I rolled my eyes to the ceiling as I made a failed attempt to suppress a growing smile. It was gut-wrenching to feel myself falling uncontrollably, knowing that, in the near future, this man might be going away for a long time.
“That you did. I want to take you seriously, but I just?—”
“Wait, I’m pretty sure I’ve proven how serious I am about you, Jameela. I know we haven’t known each other for that long, but I want to know you. About a year ago, I decided that I was ready to settle down for good. I want a family. I want my forever, Jameela. I want you to be part of that.”
“I hear you,” I said, nodding slowly as I took another sip of my champagne.
This was too much. Nicholas was too much. I could already feel my heart breaking once things finally fell apart, and I didn’t like it one bit. I couldn’t voice my apprehension completely, because Nicholas had no idea what gave me so much pause.
“I know you hear me, but I want you to also listen. I’m not asking you to marry me or anything right now. I’m asking you to be here with me and here for me while I do the same for you. Let me take care of you, and you take care of me.”
“Why me though?”
“Why not you, habibti?” he asked, inching closer to me on the couch.
“I’m sure you could have anyone you wanted.”
“I want you, so that’s still up for debate.”
“For how long though?”
“For however long, Jameela.”
“Humph. That’s reassuring.” I rolled my eyes as I took a sip of the champagne. It was really as good as I’d said it was.
“All I need is a chance.”
“What’s your middle name?” I asked him.
His crooked smile showed that I had caught him off guard. “Toriano. I’m pretty sure you’ve never told me yours either.”
“Why does that sound Italian?” I teased.
“Whatever, Jameela. What’s your middle name? You know I can find out.”
“Marie,” I said, hoping that he didn’t see how anxious mentioning prying into my life made me.
