Page 51 of Betrothed To Love

“See, I’m liking you already,” Kyrah says, then stands. “I’ll get the shot glasses.”

“I need to run to the bathroom right quick,” he tells me.

“I’ll show you,” I say and we both stand. Once we are out of the family room and down the hall, he grabs my arm lightly to stop me. “I’m really good with the game and drinks,” he says while staring into my eyes.

“I’m already intruding in your life enough; I don’t need my friends to be intrusive too,” I say.

“Intruding? Nah. Blending and getting comfortable where you belong in my life is more like it. Chill out, kyau. It’s all good. Besides, they love you and you love them too. That’s already a good thing in my eyes. It’s for one night. I can handle some questions,” he says, then crowds my space. He leans in and his lips brush mine. “It’s fine,” he adds before softly kissing me.

When our lips break, I exhale and relax into his words. It’s fine.

SIXTEEN

As soon as we are back in the living room, they start the questions. Her friends are cool, so I don’t mind at all. I’ve actually heard of Giselle and Kyrah before I met Mireya though. Everybody in Crescent Falls and any city within two hundred miles knows about Madame Giselle and her elite escort service. As an alum of CFU and CFU Law, I’m also aware of Dean Kyrah Morris. This is just my first time meeting them officially, along with Alex.

“So, the masquerade ball was the first time you saw her?” Kyrah asks.

“Met her and saw her in person? Yes. I saw her campaign pictures and pictures online, but that night was my first time seeing her and I was hooked when I did,” I admit.

“Aww. That’s what I’m talking about,” she says.

“But can you be monogamous? With just one woman?” Alex fires off next.

“No doubt and it’s real easy when you’ve made a commitment like marriage,” I say and look at Mireya. Our eyes stay locked until Kyrah jumps back in.

“So you’ve never cheated?” Kyrah asks.

“No. Never,” I answer.

“After my ex-husband, I learned that cheating needs to be defined,” Kyrah interjects. She takes a sip from her shot of tequila before she continues. “Cheating isn’t just fucking or penetration. It’s giving anything or doing anything with another woman that’s not the one you’re committed to and keeping it from your woman.”

“I agree and the answer is still no,” I double down.

“Okay!” Kyra exclaims then smiles. “Okay,” she repeats before finishing her shot.

“You seem pretty settled and with your shit together. It’s just been you and your daughter. Are you sure you’re just not looking for a mother for your child?” Alex asks.

“Alex!” Mireya snaps, clearly not liking the question. I don’t either but I’ll answer it ’cause I’m a man of my word.

“I’m good,” I say, but Mireya shakes her head.

“No. You do not have to answer that,” she says.

“It’s cool. I get why she’s asking.”

“Good because I’m not trying to insinuate anything or accuse him of anything. It’s an honest question. I had to ask. I’m sorry, but you know me, Reya. If I want to know something, I just ask. No malice involved,” Alex says, standing behind her question.

“My baby girl is four and for all four years of her life, she’s had me and my family. If I just wanted a woman to be a mother to her, that position would have been filled years ago. Getting a woman I want, trust me, wasn’t a problem. But when it comes to my daughter, my family, and my home, all of those things have been reserved for the woman I need; they were reserved for my wife.”

“That night at the ball, neither of us had intentions of waking up that morning with our lives forever changed like this, but I know me and I know the man I am,” I say, then look at my wife. “And I’ve already learned that she knows exactly who she is too. Together, based on our mutual attraction and undeniable connection, intoxicated, tipsy, or whatever, we made the decision to get married. Obviously, we were sober and determined enough to put our damn legal brains together and find a place online that performed ceremonies that are, in fact, legal. I married her and she married me.

“So, to answer your question, nah, I wasn’t just looking for a mother for Niya, I was waiting for Mireya,” I say and Mireya lifts her head, meets my lips, and kisses me.

“And just like that, the damn game is over,” Giselle says as we kiss. “No other questions are needed.”

“I know that’s right,” Kyrah says.

And when Mireya and I break our kiss, Alex smiles and says, “See, I knew he would have the right answer. We approve,—Alex stands—“Let’s go find our movie for the night.”