Page 14 of Aquarius Awakening (BLP Signs of Love #20)

A Trip Down Memory Lane

Jacob and I made our way back to my apartment, or so I thought. Since he made a point for me to stay off my phone, I was paying attention to our surroundings. We went in the opposite direction from my place, which left me confused.

“Did you tell the driver to take us back to my place?” I asked.

“I told you I wanted to spend time with you. That fool isn’t messing up our plans for the day. I have a surprise for you,” he stated.

I blushed at the mention of a surprise. Jacob had no idea that I intended to spend the rest of my day wallowing in self-pity. I picked up my phone in an attempt to figure out what was near our current location. Jacob moved swiftly and grabbed it out of my hand.

“No phones, love. Just sit up. We’re approaching our destination,” he instructed.

I folded my arms across my chest as Jacob let out a low laugh.

He was having too much fun keeping me in suspense.

Five minutes later, I noticed a sign for the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens.

This place held some memories for us. Jacob and I spent plenty of time exploring different museums and greenery throughout the city.

The driver pulled up to the front, and Jacob helped me out of the car.

“I can’t believe you brought me here. This will be my first time back here since we first came together,” I admitted.

“Let me find out you were fucking with lames that weren’t mentally stimulating you. My inquisitive Aquarius hasn’t been out expanding her mind, huh?” he teased.

“One thing I always loved about you was how you enjoyed mental stimulation as much as I do. I always thought you would do something in the sciences. How did you wind up acting?”

“I was in college, working out at the gym, and the dude who is now my agent told me about an acting role. I wasn’t interested, but it was easy money that I needed at the time.

When I got on set, something inside of me just clicked.

There were so many moving parts behind the scenes.

So many people are behind the greatness we see in movies and films that I wanted to be a part of that world in any capacity,” he explained.

I loved hearing Jacob talk about things he was passionate about.

He spoke in a way that I felt his passion.

His excitement was contagious. Jacob helped me out of the car and grabbed my hand as we explored.

We walked hand in hand, taking in the different trees and flowers that lined the property.

My favorite part of the garden was the cherry blossoms. Here, I took my time and strolled along.

There was something about the beauty of cherry blossoms that brightened my mood.

“Thank you for not allowing me to sit alone in the house,” I expressed.

Jacob kissed my forehead. “I know how you are when you get in your head. After today, I don’t want you to give him or your marriage any more thought. You deserve better than him,” Jacob stated.

“You say that like you have someone in mind for me.”

“I’m right here, love, whenever you’re ready. We can take this as slow as you need to,” he reassured.

I halted my steps and looked into his eyes.

There was no doubting Jacob’s sincerity.

I wanted so badly to feel his lips on mine.

It still felt too soon to do anything with Jacob.

I didn’t want to use Jacob to mask my feelings from my failed marriage.

Instead of feeding into my desires, I tightened my grip on his hand and continued to enjoy the beauty of the garden.

After another hour, I was ready to go. I was starving and my feet hurt.

“Do you want a hot dog?” Jacob asked as we approached the cart.

“You’re taking this trip down memory lane too far now. Do you know how gross those carts are?”

“Don’t get bougie on me now. We’re just some kids from Queens. Ain’t nothing wrong with some dirty dogs,” he replied.

I scrunched up my nose and looked at Jacob like he was crazy as he walked over to the cart. He then got himself a hot dog with ketchup and mustard. After Jacob paid the man, he took a big bite.

“You don’t know what you’re missing, love,” he teased.

“Don’t call me later when your stomach is messed up. I can’t believe you’re really eating that.”

Before we reached the front of the park, Jacob had finished his hot dog.

I went into my bag and passed him a piece of gum.

He scrunched his nose in confusion. Then Jacob put his hand up to his face to check his breath.

Reluctantly, he grabbed the piece of gum before opening the door to let me into the car.

Hours later, I was all alone in my living room, staring blankly at the television.

Jacob had to go pick up Jada from school.

I could tell he didn’t want to leave me.

It was nice to know he was growing as attached to me as I was to him.

When Jacob stood up to Mason for me, I knew I had married the wrong man.

Mason was tough when he belittled me, but in the presence of another man, he backed down.

The thought of Mason reminded me that I had never looked at the photos Lisa sent over from the private investigator.

As I opened my email, I clicked on the attached file.

One by one, I scrolled through the pictures of Mason and his very pregnant mistress.

If I wasn’t mistaken, she was due any day now.

He looked as happy with her as he used to be with me.

They walked around the city on various days as if he weren’t a cheating husband.

He complained about my bringing Jacob to the condo, but by the looks of the photos, the mistress had spent a few nights over there.

The photos prompted me to check his social media pages.

If they were friends online, I would be able to find her page.

After a bit of digging, I found her profile.

Her page was public, and I was able to see the photos of the happy family.

There were photos from a recent maternity shoot on the page as well. They looked happy together.

Sadness swept over me, not because of Mason. I envied him for having a baby, despite the way he treated me. It hurt me that he got what we both wanted in the end. Not even the negotiations over our property hurt me as much as these pictures did.

Mason was an asshole, yet he got his perfect ending.

A wave of self-pity took over me. Before I knew it, tears were falling down my face.

I cried for the child I miscarried. If I had carried my pregnancy to term, the baby would be six months old.

My tears continued to fall as I thought of how my body had betrayed me.

All I ever wanted was to be a wife, mother, and owner of a successful fashion brand.

Instead, I married the wrong man and was unable to bring a child into this world.

Once I’d had enough of feeling sorry for myself, I deleted the email.

I never wanted another moment of weakness to have me look at them again.

It was time to close this chapter of my life permanently.

I went to the booking site for my fertility specialist’s office.

Dr. Carter happened to have some availability for tomorrow, so I made my appointment and then went to bed.

Tomorrow, I will explore my options of becoming a mother on my own.

Mason had moved on, and it was time for me to do the same.