Page 27

Being inside Riley’s cozy apartment is such a better feeling than it was the last time I was here.

She has music playing low as she shakes up cocktails in the kitchen.

As soon as I walked in, she said she would get drinks started before I told her how the blind date with Tyler went.

She wanted all the juicy details, and I was excited to give them to her.

After she pours our drinks in Martini glasses, we walk over to the sofa. She says, “Alright, so, how was Tyler?”

“He was cool.”

“Oh, Lord. You didn’t like him.”

I grin. “I did like him. We had a cute little conversation.”

Riley shakes her head. “ A cute lil’ conversation ? Girl, just say it. You didn’t like him.”

“I did, and you know what—if I didn’t know that there was a better man out there, one who was absolutely perfect for me, maybe I would’ve given him serious consideration. The problem is, there is a better man for me and that’s why I couldn’t mesh with Tyler.”

“I know you ain’t talking about Judah.”

“Wait, hear me out. So, me and Tyler were in the restaurant. We order appetizers, which was my suggestion because I wasn’t really in the mood for a full dinner.

I was just doing you a favor by going out with him, anyway.

So, we were talking, everything was good, we were leaving and as I’m walking back to my car, I see Judah standing there like he’s waiting on me. ”

Riley’s eyes grow big when she says, “Girl, you better stop lying!”

“I’m not,” I say, unable to wipe the huge grin off my face.

“What did he say?”

“He was on the same thing, talking about how he thought I deserved someone who could give me a better life.”

“And what did you say? You started crying, didn’t you?”

“I did. I was crying because I was really hurt. He was crying because he knew he hurt me and he missed me. Long story short, we’re back together and we’ve been back together since Wednesday night.”

“So, there ain’t going to be no flip-flopping this time, right?”

“Right. I made that clear to him. I’m not doing the back and forth.”

Riley’s eyes narrow.

“It’s cool, Riley. And, he’s been doing things to show me that he’s in this for good. It’s not going to be like it was before.”

“How do you know that for sure?”

“Because he wants to meet my parents. I already set it up for tomorrow. My mom is beside herself with excitement.”

“Girl, that’s good just as long as he follows through.”

“He will. I’m confident. Whatever the case, I’m going to keep hope alive.”

“I mean, ay, maybe it’s a good thing. Perhaps he wants to ask your father for your hand in marriage.”

“Nah. It’s too soon for that.”

“What if he did? What would you say?”

I take a sip of my drink and say, “I guess I’ll have to cross that bridge when I get to it, but I already know what I would say. The answer is yes.”

“And you think you’re ready for that?”

“I’ve been ready to get married.”

“I know you want to get married. I’m talking about all the things that come with being with someone like him.”

A few minutes pass while I digest what she’s asking me. I say, “Yes, I’m ready for everything that comes with him.”

I didn’t tell her everything about Judah – like his inability to have children and all that because some things, a woman just needs to keep to herself.

Riley certainly would have something to say about that, and I’m not going to change my mind about it so there’s no use in entertaining what she or anyone else has to say.

I love Judah, and that’s all there is to it.

“Ay, while you’re so busy concerned about my man, I guess the time has come for me to find one for you.”

“Girl, you ain’t finding me nothing,” she says. “I’m manifesting mine. If he ain’t tall with a beard, chocolate skin and big feet, I don’t want him.”

I laugh out loud. “You’ll get whoever the Lord sends you, boo.”

“He knows what I want.”

I shake my head and say, “Well, I hope he falls out of the sky for you one day.”

I finish my drink, place the glass on the table and lie back on the sofa, thinking about Judah when a text comes through. I don’t have to look at it today to know it’s him.