“Arrrghhh!” she hollered, clutching the towel. “Jovanis, what the fuck? When did you get here?”
“A minute ago. My bad, I didn’t mean to scare you.”
Irish exhaled, hoping to get her heart rate back to normal rhythm. Wordlessly, she moved around the room, avoiding eye contact with Jovanis. He had been so hurtfulwithin the last few months. The news of her pregnancy didn’t go over well with him. He shamed her for allowing another man to impregnate her. They were supposed to be in this fake relationship to protect his image. Jovanis had been cool with her dating others but creating a life with another man was a violation.
“How you been feeling?”
“Like you care.” She scoffed, putting on a nightgown.
“Why would you say some shit like that to me? You know I care about you, Irish. You're the only person I love.”
“It’s funny you say that but I haven’t felt love from you in months.”
Jovanis scratched the back of his neck. “I can admit that I been wildin’ but what you expect? You got pregnant by another nigga. You should've known I wouldn’t take that shit lightly.”
“Well, it’s over.” She plopped down on the bed. “You can go back to your life now.”
“You are my life.”
Irish rolled her eyes and turned over. She felt his hand land on her hip as he scooted his body behind her.
“I’m serious, Irish. You my baby and I love you. I’m sorry for icing you out, and I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Don't say shit you don't mean.”
“I’m serious… I want to make shit better for you. I don't want you to be sad no more. Let’s get married.”
Irish flipped over to face him. Her face was skewed, unveiling how crazy his proposal sounded. “Married? For what?”
“I love you and I can’t think of a better woman to be my wife than you.”
“Van, you like niggas.” A dumbfounded expression covered her features. “What would be the point in me marrying you?”
“Look.” He studied her brown eyes. “I’m in The Legacy Mafia now. I’m ‘bout to start making big bank. I want you along for the ride. You can still date, and I’ll do my thing, but we’ll be married. That way we’ll never be apart. Plus, I can invest in your clothing line. Shit, we can go buy you a new car if you want.”
She gawked at him. “You wanna invest in my clothing line?”
That was the line that made her interest pique. Irish had dreamed of starting a clothing brand.
“Yeah, baby. I believe in you.” He touched a strand of her hair. “I’m trying to give you everything you want. A house, new car, businesses. Shit, everything and you know I’m good for it too, Irish. Just marry me so I can be certain that you’ll always be in my life.”
“But I told you I would always be here. My word should be enough.”
“Nah.” He shook his head. “I need it to be official. Be my wife. Prove you’ll be here by marrying me.”
Irish looked into his eyes, spotting the desperation he often tried to hide. Jovanis had abandonment issues. He held onto people who gave him love and Irish was his person. Their bond was cemented but Jovanis always needed assurance.
“Okay.”
His lips parted as his eyes widened. “You for real?”
“Yeah, as long as you do what you just said. Give me everything and I’ll give you loyalty.”
He grinned and hugged her tightly. “I got you forever, Irish. I mean that shit.”
Irish peered into the mirror as her reverie took her back to the place when she was first proposed to. It was so unconventional and lacked romance that she cringed at the memory. She recalled her and Jovanis going down to the courthouse, dressed in regular clothes to get married. Afterward, they went to the bar to celebrate with drinks and wings.
Irish chuckled at the recollections while questioning her sanity at the time. How could she lower her value and marry a man who was attracted to other men? At the time, she really wanted her clothing line and a home to call her own. Jovanis had delivered on both and even included a Mercedes truck. Irish was happy in the beginning but loneliness came and held her hostage for years to come.
