She sighed. “I’m listening.”
“The idea to propose to you came to me when I left yesterday. I called Ronin, and he thought the idea was crazy. I still wasn’t sure about it, but when I couldn’t get you off my mind, and you showed up in my dreams, I thought it might be a sign. When my parents came to me with more bullshit this morning, I figured it was worth a shot.”
“Thank you for your honesty.”
There was a knock on the door, which ended the conversation. I answered it and wheeled our food into the room. After a quick trip to the bathroom to relieve my bladder and wash my hands, I joined Malyah at the table near the large window.
“Do you feel better now that you got that off your chest?” she asked after a few minutes of eating in silence.
“I do because I can understand how it might seem like I only helped you so that you’d agree to marry me.”
“You did kinda present it as, I scratch your back and you scratch mine,” she reminded me.
I nodded. “I did, and I’m sorry. I think highly of you and respect you a lot.”
“Thank you, and I accept your apology.”
“You got a lot going on, and I want to support you in that, but I also want you to know I’m interested in you.”
“I kinda gathered that when you kissed me. I’ve never been kissed like that in my life.”
I chuckled. “I take it you enjoyed it.”
“I more than enjoyed it, and the interest is mutual, but as you said, I got a lot going on. I havenothingto offer you, and I’m in no position to date or start a new relationship.”
“Quite the contrary, baby. You haveeverythingto offer.”
We stared into each other’s eyes until my ringing phone interrupted us. I removed it from my pocket and looked at the screen. It was my mother, and I wasn’t in the mood to talk to her, so I ignored the call. Before I could put my phone face down on the table, it rang again.
“It’s my mother,” I told Malyah before answering the call and putting it on speaker. “Hey, Ma.”
“Son, will you be home before your father and I turn in for tonight?”
“I’m not sure. You need something?”
“No, but I wanted to let you know that Lasandra Hardy and her parents will be joining us for breakfast tomorrow.”
“Hardy? I’m not sure I’m familiar with the family. Is this a business meeting? What’s the company name?”
“This isn’t about business. Lasandra is one of the women I think would make a suitable bride for?—”
“Hold up? Are you being serious right now?”
“We’ve talked about this already. Why do you sound surprised?”
“We talked about it, and I thought I made it clear that I don’t need you to choose my wife.”
I was mad as hell and doing my best not to disrespect my mother, but she was testing my patience.
“I’m not choosing your wife, Kenny. I’m introducing you to some women I think you’d like, but ultimately, it’ll be your choice.”
“Ma, I need to take another call.”
I ended the call without waiting for her to say goodbye, something I normally wouldn’t do. If I’d remained on the phone any longer, I might have said something I’d regret later.
“I’m sorry about that. Where were we?” I asked, hoping to resume the conversation Malyah and I were having.
“Umm, I’m not sure. Are you okay?”
