Page 2 of Kayla's List

We are led through the beautiful space. There are sheer gold baroque linens topped with shiny porcelain white china place settings. The lights are low and glow with warm candlelight. It is as romantic as I imagined it would be.

This night is already more than I could ever have imagined for myself. I have a handsome man who loves me, a career that is beginning to take off, and I’ll soon be able to start a family.I can’t wait.

Our meal is filled with wonderful wine, exceptional food, and a soothing atmosphere. I could almost ignore the butterflies that were wreaking havoc in my stomach. There was nervous energy surrounding us, and I couldn’t tell if it was because of me or Warren.

I can sense that he is building up the nerve to get down on one knee. He keeps looking around the room and anxiously tapping his jacket pocket. I have a feeling that’s where my ring is. I have to give myself an internal pep talk to calm down. It’s not every day the man of your dreams asks you to be his wife.

“Kayla, we’ve been together for a year now. And you know how much I love you.” Warren’s deep voice washes over me, and I nod with a smile. I’m eager for him to get to the part where I say yes so we can live happily ever after.

“I do. And I love you, too.” I giggle, and Warren smiles.

Warren gets out of his chair and rounds the table to face me. He stares deeply into my eyes before pulling out a blue Tiffany box. I hold my breath. Waiting. Tears begin to pool in my dark eyes, but I hold on to them until he asks. I don’t want to miss anything because I am a blubbering mess.

“I wanted to ask you—”

“Warren!” the angry voice interrupts his proposal, and although I have never been a violent person, I want to kill whoever has interfered with my fantasy come to life.

“Warren Barnett? I know you are not doing what I think you’re doing!”

I look around in confusion. I have no idea what’s going on or why. Warren is looking like he was just caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

“Warren? Who is this?” I ask.

“You’re really going through with this? I thought you were joking.” The snide remark makes me bristle.

“Warren? Who is this man?” I trail off as I look between the two of them. My brain is having trouble connecting the dots. I know the confusion is shown all over my heated face. The loud man’s dark brown eyes are glaring daggers at the two of us. He is tall and lanky with caramel brown skin and a low-cut fade similar to Warren’s. His goatee is neatly trimmed, and he is dressed in a nice suit.

“So, you’re cheating on me after all we’ve been through?” The man glares at Warren, and I gasp in utter dismay.

“Cheating?! What the fuck?!” I yell out. I never cuss, but my shock can’t be contained. My eyes go wide at the realization of who thismanis.

“I can explain,” Warren starts, but I hold up my hand.

I am already humiliated enough. What a spectacle we must’ve made, yelling loudly in the middle of a peaceful restaurant. The other patrons are outright staring and whispering as they point. I could’ve died right where I sat.

Here I thought it would be a night that I’d never forget.Well, I guess it still is. It’s not every day that you find out your boyfriend has a boyfriend.

“You told me you were done doing this to me. And yet, here we are!” the man yells as he waves a hand at me dramatically.

“You’re gay,” I say out loud, trying to get my brain to comprehend the shocking revelation. It is a realization and not a question because the man yelling at Warren is the proof standing right in front of me. I can see and hear him clearly. Hell, everyone in the place can. I can only stare. I’m at a loss for words. I don’t know how I missed this detail, this veryvitaldetail.

“I’m not gay, Kayla. Maurice is just a friend.” Warren’s exasperated tone laces his every word.

“Well, yourfriendjust interrupted your proposal by accusing you of cheating on him. I just… I gotta get out of here.” I stand abruptly, but Warren grabs my arm before I can get away.

“Maurice, wait outside,” Warren snarls at the other man who is now wearing a smug look on his face. “Now!” Warren growls. Maurice purses his lips and turns to saunter to the front of the restaurant.

Warren pulls me back to our ruined dinner, placing me in my chair and sits down beside me. I am speechless. I should’ve been slapping his face or at the very least, cussing him out. But for some reason, I can’t do either. I’m in shock.

“I’m not gay. Maurice is just a friend that I see from time to time. That’s all. It’s not that big of a deal.”

I sit back in my chair and stare at Warren. This man is a stranger. How can he be so nonchalant about something this huge?“A friend you see…naked?” I ask, but by the look on his face, I know the answer to my question. “Listen, I can’t do this.”

“Kayla,please.” Warren rolls his eyes as if I am throwing an unnecessary tantrum. “You’re not going to leave me. I don’t know why you’re behaving this way. We both know you’re still going to marry me. And I promise that Maurice will not be an issue. He will know to stay in his place.” The way that Warren is so certain that I will marry a gay man has me flabbergasted. I know I’m a people pleaser, but there’s no way in hell that I’ve given him the impression that I’m desperate.

I get up from the table and leave the restaurant without looking back. I can feel the tears running down my face as I hop into the back of a taxi. I wish I could be strong and not cry, but the broken pieces of my heart won’t allow me to be.

Wallow