Chapter 40
What if?
Grey also held a plastic bag with the green top of a Sprite sticking out. “I got your favorite cake. Buttercream icing mixed with whipped cream over an almond white cake with a hint of lemon.”
"I haven't had one like this in years," I squealed and hugged him as he placed the cake and the bag on the table. “This feels like old times.”
He hugged me back briefly before he grabbed my waist and placed me on the table. I needed a moment to fan myself because that was more of a Carter move than Grey’s. Carter had always been physically bigger and stronger than Grey. Yet the ease with which Grey lifted me and hopped on the other side to sit cross-legged like me, he might actually best Carter if they ever fought.
Grey opened the box and removed the pink-and-white silver cake decorated with roses, perfect for two people, and it read, "Happy Birthday, Always."
"Thank you. I love it." I sighed internally, giddy that Grey sat inches from me, knowing exactly what I would want on my birthday.
“Play something while I fix our drinks,” Grey insisted as he pulled out a jar of maraschino cherries, grenadine, a pint of lime sherbert, two twenty-ounce bottles of Sprite, and a silver shaker. He winked. “I got a little money now.”
"I see." I giggled as I reached down to the nearby chair where my cell rested, praying I wouldn’t see a text or that Carter wouldcall. I wanted to at least honor what he’d asked of me, that I wouldn’t ignore when he texted or called. If he did while I was with Grey, I wouldn’t be able to keep that promise I’d made to myself. I tapped Spotify and opened the soundtrack playlist for my favorite movies. “See if you recognize any of these?”
He warned, “I swear if you play theAnniesoundtrack, I’m walking out that door.”
“You think you know me...Jamie Foxx killed whenever he sang.” I looked at my phone again, looking for something else to play. “What about this?” I then played a melody of hits fromBrown Sugar,Black Panther,Hustle and Flow, andThe Best Manas we grooved to the music while he made our mocktails. He guessed every song correctly.
As soon as he finished mixing, Grey gave me a glass before raising his for a toast. "Since I can't wish you a birthday yet...I just want to say that today is the happiest I've been in a very long time, and I wish you a life of abundance in love, health, and wealth."
"You've become so sentimental and sweet in your old age," I teased. "Seriously, this is also one of my happiest days in a long time, too. I wish you all your heart's desire."
As we tapped glasses,Fool of Meby Meshell Ndegeocello, and I groaned. "Why would this song play right now?"
“Because it fits us.Love and Basketball. A story of friends to lovers.” He quirked a brow. “I remember you cried when we watched it together.”
I replied wistfully, “She loved him for so long and only had him for a moment. When she realized that she would lose him forever, she fought for his love in the end. Of course, I cried. You were way too cynical even to care. This song explains her heartache so well.”
"Is that how you felt about me?" Grey asked over the rim of his glass before he drank.
I needed to change the conversation because Q and Monica seemed a lot like us, so I took the glass and sipped. “So good... even better than I remembered.”
“I hope so, " he commented wryly, holding the glass to his lips. "I see you’re still a romantic, believing in the happily ever after.”
“Always.” I grinned and enjoyed more of my sugary drink.
Grey bit his lip and tipped his glass toward her. “Did you get your fairytale? Are you and St. Patrick happily ever after?”
I implored, “Can we not? Let's not mess this up by addressing the elephant in the room. Can we pretend no one exists but you and me a little longer?”
He shrugged. “You know I shoot from the hip. That hasn’t changed.”
“Maybe I don’t want to talk about Carter or Tatianna. Maybe I just want to enjoy seeing my best friend again on my birthday.”
“Then we could’ve gone for coffee or brunch if all you wanted was your best friend. Instead, we’re meeting in this empty building away from anyone who knows us.” He glanced around. “What is this place anyway?”
Clasping my hands together, apprehension settled over me, and I wondered if he would be dismissive like Carter. I’d forgotten how Grey could shit on something he didn’t understand or like, which made him a grump, lovable but still a grump. “Umm...this is where my new pharmacy will be. You’re the first person who knows it’s mine.”
“This is the space for Like Home Remedies? Congratulations. I'd hoped you were a pharmacist working somewhere, not just St. Patrick's wife.” He praised, a genuinely wide smile crossing his face. “I'm proud of you. You made it happen.”
“You remembered the name?” I released the breath I didn’t realize I held.
“I remember every damn thing about you. You were my everything for years.” Grey’s jaw tightened, and his gaze drifted to my lips again before focusing on my eyes. “Thank you for sharing this with me. You don’t know how much this means. I hated that you weren't in the stands cheering me on when I medaled. At least I can be here now for you.”
The need to kiss him became overwhelming, so instead, I hopped down and spread my arms. “This is my new store. It’ll open in time for the holidays. Probably November. You know I love my Christmas trees.”
