“Bring y’all asses into this house!” she yelled. “About to make me burn my damn chicken.”
I laughed, and Roman said, “Welcome to my world, BB.”
“It’s a pleasure to be here.”
12
One Month Later…
“ W assup, pretty lady…” My head shot up when I heard Ezra’s voice. I had my office door open today because I promised Blossom I would be more open to interacting with my counterparts. She also suggested that I don’t shut the door or dim the glass. I couldn’t do shit but laugh because I knew I would do it just to appease her. The woman has taken over every part of my life.
I heard Patricia giggle and stood.
“Man, quit flirting with my assistant,” I said, leaning out of the door. He looked up at me with a smirk on his face. He and Lilac were always sweet talking somebody to get what they wanted. They were truly two peas and a pod. “Get yo… get in here.” Ezra chuckled and stepped into my office. I shut the door and turned to find him sitting in my chair. He whistled as he looked around.
“This is a mighty nice office you have here, Ro.”
I fell back onto the couch and said, “Something light.”
“I’m thinking of buying a bigger location.” I nodded and pulled on my beard.
“Don’t think about it, just do it.” Ezra’s photography business was booming, especially after the spread, he shot for Essence. Now was the time to capitalize on that success. “But that isn’t why you came here. So, what’s up?”
“This nigga think he knows me,” he mumbled, just to say, “I picked up Lilac’s ring today.”
“Word?” I stood and walked over to my desk after he lifted the black velvet box into the air. He set it in the palm of my hand, and I popped it open. I nodded my head in approval at the Two carat Oval Diamond with a White Gold band. “She’s going to love this. It’s her style.”
“You think so?”
“Yeah, I know so.” I handed it back to him. “When do you plan on asking her?”
“I have an idea in mind, but I need to run it by someone first.”
“Whatever you need, I got you.”
“That’s why I love you, Ro,” he said, standing. “Always on my side.”
“Ain’t nothing changed, but our age, man.” We embraced, and I walked him to the door. Patricia looked up and smiled.
“Patricia, let me get your opinion on something,” Ezra said, positioning himself in front of her desk. He set the ring box in front of her, and she picked it up. “Would you accept a proposal with that ring?” I chuckled. My cousin would show that thing off to everyone in this office if they allowed him.
“Oh my,” she breathed after opening it. “It’s beautiful, and I’m sure whoever the lucky lady is will love it.”
His smile widened, and he said, “I’m the lucky one.”
After Ezra left, I decided to cut my workday a little short. I finished up the quarterly report that hadn’t been done by the previous Actuary and excused myself for the day. Once I was inside of my truck, I called Blossom.
“Hey, baby,” she answered.
“Are you smiling?” She giggled into the phone.
“Yes, I can’t help myself. Every time I hear your voice, it makes me want to smile.”
“Yeah, same here. How’s work?”
“It’s a slow day for me. I’m thinking about heading out early.”
“Great minds,” I said, smiling. “I just left for the day myself. Let’s grab something to eat.”
“Anything to see your face.”
“Meet me at High Street.” The restaurant was right by her office building.
“Ok, baby, I’ll see you there.” She paused and then said, “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Twenty minutes later, I entered High Street and spotted Blossom immediately. I stalked over to her, and she stood once she caught wind of me approaching. She walked right into my arms and sighed.
“I swear I never want you to let me go sometimes.”
“If I could hold you twenty-four-seven, I would,” I told her after we took our seats. She smiled and bit down on her lip. “Did you order for us?”
“Yeah, since I know you and all.” I chuckled.
Leaning back, I took her in. I’d just seen her this morning, but it didn’t feel like it. When Blossom wasn’t in my presence, it felt like a lifetime was passing me by.
“I want to talk to you about something.” I lifted an eyebrow, and she waved a hand through the air. “It’s nothing bad. I’ve just been thinking about how I want us to go on a vacation together. Just me and you, away from the city and distractions.”
“Yeah? Do you have a place in mind?” I wasn’t opposed to a vacation with her. And the more I thought about it, the more appealing it became.
“There’s this resort in Colorado.” She slid her phone to me, and I picked it up. “The rooms have the most beautiful view of the mountains, and it’s—”
“Romantic,” I said, clicking through the pictures. “When you said vacation, I thought you meant out of the country, but this is better.” I looked up at her, and she was grinning. “Whatever you want, baby. Whenever you want.” She squealed and bounced in her seat. I stared at her. The smallest things made her happy, and some days it still amazed me how humble she was. I chuckled and shook my head.
“What is it?” She tilted her head and eyed me curiously.
“Nothing, BB, I’m just crazy about you.”
“I’m crazy about you too.” Her eyes lit up as she said it. I reached across the table and grabbed her hand.
“I’m going to marry you one day.” The words slipped out before I could stop myself, but I didn’t regret saying them. She was my future everything.
“Roman…” Her voice was just above a whisper.
“What? It’s the truth. I’m going to marry you, and then we can have all those kids you want.” Blossom wanted a big ass family, and I wanted to give her that.
“At the rate, we’ve been going…”
“Chill, BB,” I said, laughing. Using protection just wasn’t happening these days, but we were committed to one another. Blossom was it for me, and I knew it was the same for her when it came to me. I wouldn’t be surprised if she told me someday soon that she was carrying our child. I’d been watching her closely, looking for signs, but so far, nothing has changed in appearance or personality. “Either way, I want that with you. I want a life with you.”
“And I want the same with you. Meeting you has been life-changing in the most beautiful way. I’m so grateful for you, Roman.”
“Words of affirmation, baby.” She tossed her head back and laughed. When her eyes settled on me again, I said, “Tell me about your day.”
I watched Blossom as she swayed to Chicago Freestyle by Drake featuring Giveon. She was dancing with her sisters in the middle of Devin’s bar. Today we were celebrating Magnolia and Lennox’s union. Devin shut the bar down and transformed it for the couple. The room was decked out in black and gold décor that Blossom made me help pick out. There was something else big happening tonight that had my attention, though.