Page 43 of A Trial of the Heart

Chapter

Forty-Two

Shiloh:

Rashad kneaded my pedicured feet with the right amount of pressure as they rested in his lap.

We were at his place relaxing on his couch as reruns of an old nineties show played on his huge, wall-mounted TV.

Rashad had forgiven me months ago, and I was still in disbelief.

My actions weren’t the best, and it may have seemed selfish in the manner I had handled it, but it wasn’t that way at all.

I didn’t speak up when needed, but I knew my conscious wouldn’t have allowed Rashad to go down.

The logic may not have made sense to many, but I understood it.

“What?” I questioned with a slight giggle when Rashad’s motions stopped, and I felt his eyes on me.

Rashad had forgiven me, but I couldn’t deny that I treaded lightly at times because I knew my actions were wrong.

“Let’s go out tonight.” He wasn’t asking.

We hadn’t been out in a while, so it was much needed.

“Okay.” I smiled sheepishly.

“I’m serious.” His deep voice sounded soothing.

“Me too.” I smiled widely. “Where are we going?”

Rashad chuckled. “You knew before you even asked that I wasn’t about to tell you that.” He winked.

One of the things I liked about Rashad was that he was so intentional about all he did. He planned the dates and made them memorable, while making sure every aspect catered to me and was a surprise. I’d never had that before. Daniel was the complete opposite.

“You can’t even give me a hint?” I playfully pouted my lips.

“The hint is you gonna enjoy it,” he said, winking.

With an eye roll, I sucked my teeth. “Whatever.”

I wasn’t actually mad as I knew whatever Rashad had planned, I’d enjoy. I was just nosey and wanted to know what he’d come up with.

He didn’t say another word. I knew it would be a few hours before we went out, but now, I was anxious.

Old school R why are you crying?” He rambled off his questions all at once.

Nothing was funny, but I found myself laughing at the many questions Rashad asked.

“Relax.” I couldn’t stop laughing through my tears. “I am okay. It’s nothing with the case, and the babies are okay.” I answered his questions in the order they were asked.

“So, what’s up? Some shit changed.” He finally dropped his brush.

Before I spoke, I just gazed into his beautiful yet concerned eyes. I reached out, touching his forearm. He was on alert, and I needed him to relax. This moment wasn’t anything like what Rashad was thinking.

“I love you so much.” Tears streamed down my face.

My crying had been out of control lately, and I cried more than I cared to admit.

The pregnancy hormones were on front street.

“Thank you for not giving up on me when you should have. I won’t sit here and pretend I would have been as noble as you, had the cards been reversed.

Rashad, you showed me what it is to be truly loved and how to love.

You’re truly God’s gift. You’re mine…” I paused for a moment.

“I am grateful, and I love you so much. I do not know what tomorrow holds for us, but for now, I am blessed to call you mine.”

Rashad just stared at me, and it almost seemed as if he wasn’t breathing.

“I love you, Shiloh.” He finally spoke before leaning into me and kissing me in an unhurried way. I kept my eyes open unlike him to not miss any moment. I needed to ensure this moment wouldn’t be snatched away from me.

Finally pulling back, we gazed into each other’s eyes. No words spoken; we communicated without them.

“I love you more,” I confessed after the silence.

Once again, Rashad leaned in and kissed me. “I love you, and we’re good.”

I smiled with a nod. “Okay.”

In my mind I didn’t deserve Rashad, but his words told me otherwise, so I’d go with that.