I took a sip of tea.
“And that’s all for today. Thank you for tuning in, beautiful people. This is The Single Life with Zola Patterson. Until next time!”
I turned off my camera and sat back in my chair.
“You give good advice,” Saint commented as he strolled into my office looking delicious.
I licked my lips as I checked him out. It didn’t make any sense for him to make jeans and a t-shirt look that good.
“My eyes are up here,” he joked, pulling my attention away from his crotch.
Standing, I grinned. “Oh, hey!”
“Is this okay, though? I feel like I should dress up.”
I shook my head. “I’m wearing jeans, too. It would be weird if we showed up dressed up when they said it was a chill Friendsgiving. We have to play it cool.” I slid my gaze from his gorgeous eyes down his irresistible body. “And it doesn’t matter what you have on, as soon as we get back, I’m stripping it off you.”
“Shit, we don’t have to wait until we get back.”
Giggling, I slapped his arm playfully. “Don’t tempt me! We have to leave!”
“You started it,” he said, wrapping his arms around me and kissing my neck. “I’m just trying to finish it.”
I was so tempted.
“Saint,” I whined, feebly pushing him off me.
He laughed. “Yes?”
“One more minute and then you have to stop.”
We laughed until our mouths met, and we kissed as if we’d been separated for a couple days not just a couple hours. When we pulled apart, I rubbed his dick through his pants. “Are you on call tonight?”
“Yes.”
Groaning, I weighed the options. Realizing I needed to be responsible, I sighed. “We’ll just have to pray that you don’t get a call because the things I want to do to you…”
He brushed his lips against mine. “If you don’t go get dressed in the next ten seconds, I’m going to bend you over your desk.”
I pushed my lips against his and then scurried into my bedroom.
Fifteen minutes later, I was dressed in jeans and a cute sweater.
“You’re beautiful,” Saint complimented me as I walked into the living room.
I spun around in a circle before slipping on my coat. “Thank you.”
After he put on his coat, he grabbed my scarf and put it around my neck.
“I’m blessed to have you,” I whispered, staring up at him.
“You’re the blessing.”
We walked out of my apartment and I immediately noticed Darius. Bundled up in a coat, he was still hanging outside. I waved and he lifted his hand and waved back. We had a mutual understanding that we didn’t talk shit in front of others, and it had been serving us well.
Saint helped me into his SUV, and we made our way across town. When we arrived at Trenton’s place, it seemed like everyone was already there. I checked the time and knew we had thirty minutes before dinner was supposed to be served so I was confused.
“Are we late?” I asked India when we found her.
Shaking her head, she gave me a hug. “No, not at all. It’s just that a few more people than expected showed up so it looks like everyone is here.”
I nodded, looking around. “Ohhhh, okay.” With a grin, I added, “India, I’d like you to meet Saint, my boyfriend. Saint, this is my friend India, the star.”
She laughed. “I’m not a star yet, but I’m on my way.” She shook his hand. “It’s nice to finally meet you. When Trenton said that someone had gotten Zola to settle down, I didn’t believe it. It’s so nice to meet you.”
“It’s nice to meet you as well. You performed at Zola’s book release party… You were great.”
She beamed. “Thank you!”
I gasped. “I didn’t realize Byron was flying in. Do you see what I see?”
Byron and Kia were standing in the corner gazing at one another like they were in love. I knew they continued talking after their date, but the way they were gazing at each other, it definitely looked more than casual.
“Yes, Byron got in last night and he has been going on and on about Kia since he landed,” India informed us.
The three of us staring at them must’ve triggered something and broken their trance because they looked our way. We were caught.
The five of us burst out laughing.
“I’d like to say a prayer before we start eating,” Trenton announced, clinking his glass to get everyone’s attention. “If you could hold the hand of the person beside you please.” He looked around until he saw India. “Baby, if you could join me as my cohost. I want to be holding your hand.”
She joined him in the middle of the semi-circle of happy faces that lined the room.
“I would praise God’s name in song, but I can’t sing,” Trenton started. “So, I will settle for praising him in other ways. I am so thankful. I have family”—he pointed to a group of people near where Kia was standing— “I have old friends and new”—he gestured around— “I have so much to be thankful for. And of all the things, I am most thankful for this beautiful woman beside me.”
I squeezed Saint’s hand and he squeezed it back.
“Awww babe,” India cooed.
Trenton turned to her, still holding her hand. “You have been the best part of my life and I thank God every single day that he sat us next to each other on that plane. You are the gift that keeps on giving, the blessing that keeps on blessing, and the song that keeps on playing. You are my everything and”—he dropped down to one knee and India started crying— “I will spend the rest of my life making sure you are as happy as you have made me. So India Davis, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife? Will you marry me?”
With happy tears streaming down her face, she nodded. “Yes! Of course I’ll marry you!”
Trenton slid the nice sized diamond that I’d helped him pick out onto India’s finger and the room erupted in cheers. He stood and they kissed, and we all cheered again. My eyes started watering.
“Come here,” Saint whispered, pulling me into him. “You okay? You knew this was going to happen. You helped plan this.”
I let out a short laugh as I looked up at him. “I know! I’m just happy.”
“So am I.”
My heart felt like it was too big for my chest in that moment. I was so warm, so content, so happy. I sighed, staring into the light brown eyes that caught my attention from the very beginning. “Thank you for delivering my art for me.”
“Thank you for hiring my sister.” He planted a soft kiss against my lips. “When I propose to you, I’ll have to give her a shoutout.”
“You said when and not if,” I pointed out breathlessly.
“I know.” He smirked. “It won’t be at Christmas or anything, but Zola… I would be a fool not to make you my wife.”
My stomach did somersaults.
Clinking his glass against a champagne flute India was holding, Trenton yelled, “Let’s eat!”
*****
The End
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