Page 16 of Loving a Libra (BLP Signs of Love #7)
“You did what?”
“I went to the police station to file a missing person’s report for Devyn.”
I was in my office, sitting behind my desk, and Maurice had just barged in announcing what he’d done.
I tried to hold in my laughter, but this was too fucking funny not to laugh.
It took me a good two minutes to gather myself, and after catching my breath and wiping the tears from my eyes, I responded to an angry Maurice.
“I hope they told you how crazy you were and sent you on your way.”
“Pretty much, and I’m pissed they didn’t take me seriously.”
“Bruh, she packed up her shit and moved. I’m not sure why you thought they’d consider her a missing person.”
“Because her ass is missing. I’ve gone up to her job damn near every day to see if I can catch her, and she hasn’t shown up. Finally, I ran into someone who was willing to give me some information, but all they said was that she didn’t work there anymore.”
Thankfully, they didn’t say any more than that.
“At least you can stop wasting your time going up there now.”
“She didn’t block me on Flikstagram, but she hasn’t posted there in months. I wanna send her a message, but then she’ll block me, and I won’t have any access to her.”
“You weren’t this obsessed with her before she left your ass. She’s gone, bruh. Now you’re free to fuck all the women you want without the hassle of sneaking around. It’s been three weeks. You might want to move on.”
He paced back and forth in front of my desk with his arms folded across his chest. Suddenly, he paused and gave me a suspicious look.
“You know something, don’t you?”
“I know a lot of things about a lot of shit.”
“You know what the fuck I mean. You’ve talked to her and know where she is.”
“What makes you say that?” I asked with a smirk.
“Let me see your phone.”
“For what?”
“Because she’ll answer a call from you.”
“Have you ever thought that maybe she doesn’t want to be found? I’m not giving you my phone.”
He took a step toward my desk and slammed his fists on the surface before shouting, “Nigga, whose side are you on?”
I hopped from my seat and grabbed him by the collar of his shirt. “Not yours.”
I pushed him aggressively, and he stumbled, his back slamming against the door.
After regaining his composure, he fixed his shirt and left my office, which was the smartest thing he could do.
The last time we went to blows about Devyn, one of our employees saved him from an ass whupping.
It was early, so we were the only ones in the building, except for the cooks. No one was here to save him this time.
I returned my attention to my work, and before I knew it, a few hours had passed. I picked up my cell phone and saw that I’d been so engrossed in my work that I missed a text from Devyn.
Dee:
Headed to work.
Me:
My bad, baby. I just saw this. Don’t work too hard.
Dee:
It’s fine. Umm, I don’t think my patients and their families would appreciate it if I didn’t work hard. LOL!
Me:
Touché! You know what I mean. How are you feeling?
Dee:
Tired. Between you and your child, I can’t catch a break.
Me:
I’ll remember that next time you force yourself on me.
Dee:
Whatever. I gotta go.
Me:
The usual for dinner?
Dee:
Yeah. I love you.
Me:
See you soon. I love you more.
I’d be here for a few more hours, but I decided to take a break. After locking up my office, I found a packed house, enjoying the live band. I stopped by a few tables to greet guests, visited the kitchen to speak with our staff, and spoke with a few of our security officers.
Before I headed back to my office, I spotted Maurice hugged up with a woman I’d never seen.
When we made eye contact, he mean-mugged me, while I shot a smile his way.
After all the times he did me dirty when it came to women, I wasn’t looking for revenge.
However, when Devyn was ready to share our relationship with the world, revenge would never be so sweet.
“Is everyone ready to hear if this strong heartbeat belongs to a boy or a girl?” Dr. Chanel asked.
“Yes!” everyone said in unison.
I wasn’t sure how normal it was, but when Devyn told me she wanted my parents and Ginae to come to our appointment to find out the baby’s gender, I encouraged her to invite them.
Of course, they didn’t hesitate to agree and had been anticipating the day as much as we were.
With what I had planned, it was actually perfect.
We all watched the screen, and the only thing I could decipher was the head. Dr. Chanel pointed out certain things as she moved the wand around on Devyn’s stomach, and finally, she got to the good part.
“You see this right here? This is the penis. It’s a boy!”
While my parents and Ginae cheered and clapped with excitement, my eyes connected with Devyn’s. Our broad smiles and teary eyes matched each other’s, and I leaned down to press my lips against hers.
“Thank you, baby,” I whispered against her lips.
“I’ve never been so happy, Riq. I love you.”
“Not as much as I love you.” I reached into the pocket of my shorts and pulled out a small black box. “I’ve been trying to find the right time to ask you this question, and right now couldn’t be more perfect.”
She gasped along with everyone else when they realized what I was doing.
“Tariq! Oh my God!”
“I couldn’t stop myself from falling in love with you.
Some would say I was wrong, but nothing in my life had ever felt so right.
The more time I spent with you, the harder I fell.
You didn’t know it, but my heart belonged to you and patiently waited for you to take ownership.
Slowly, but surely, you unknowingly took pieces of mine while giving me pieces of yours in return.
When the time came and we crossed those imaginary lines, it happened effortlessly because we were made for each other.
I’d be the happiest man in the world if you would do me the honor of being my wife. Devyn Elise Logan, will you marry me?”
“Yes! Yes! Yes!”
More excitement and tears filled the room. Dr. Chanel even shed a few happy tears. Eventually, we left her office and decided to go out to brunch to celebrate.
“Were y’all in on this?” Devyn asked once we were seated and had placed our orders.
I responded for them. “I didn’t tell anyone. I even picked out the ring by myself.”
She grinned as she held her hand up and admired her ring.
“You did a good job, baby.” She leaned over and kissed me.
“I haven’t had this much excitement in years. Are we having the wedding or the baby shower first? I don’t care which, I just want to know what to start planning first,” my mother said.
“Actually, Mama Kia. I don’t want a big wedding. Everyone who means something to me is right here. Aside from a few of my former coworkers, I don’t have anyone to invite.”
“It’s your day, sweetheart. If this is what you and Tariq want, I won’t force our family and friends on you,” Ma said.
“I’ve seen some gorgeous photo shoots of couples who were married at the courthouse. It can still be beautiful, best friend,” Ginae assured her.
“That’s what I want. I still want a beautiful wedding gown, and you to be my maid of honor.”
“Whatever you want, bestie, you got it.”
I listened as my fiancée, her best friend, and my mother discussed different ideas for the wedding. By the time our food came, they’d moved on to possible names for our son and the baby shower.
“Tariq Vincent Thompson, Jr. has a ring to it,” I chimed in. “Or maybe, Tariq Vincent Thompson II? That sounds like royalty.”
“My grandson will be royalty regardless,” my mother said.
“One thing he’ll be for sure is spoiled,” Pops added.
It had been a long time since I’d experienced this level of happiness, if ever. As the conversation continued, I sat back and observed the smiles on everyone’s faces, which caused me to smile as well.
Now that we were engaged, I had no interest in keeping our relationship a secret.
I only had a handful of associates who I didn’t see often, because they were either married with families, didn’t live in Chicago, or both.
We weren’t close, and they knew me and Maurice, so I hadn’t shared with any of them that Devyn and I were together.
I wouldn’t go out of my way to tell them, but I no longer cared who knew about us.