Page 69 of Tell Me I'm Not Dreaming

“Thank you,” Patrick says, brows furrowed, not quite sure where this is going.

“Naw, seriously, bruh. You’re like, ridiculously handsome. I didn’t get a good look at you before cause of all the?—”

“You kissing Aimee.”

“Yeah.” Wesley looks closer at Patrick. He looks at the T-shirt he has on repping Aimee’s brand. It features her logo and website on the front and back. “How often do you work out?”

“Six days a week. Look, Wesley, I don’t know where this is going, but if you’re trying to proposition me and Aimee … I mean, we’ve discussed her with me and another guy, but?—”

“What? No, man. I guess it’s just dawning on me that I don’t have a chance in hell at this point. I mean, shit, bruh, look at you. All big and buff with the shiny bald head.” Wesley notices Patrick’s watch. “Is that a Watch by Braun!”

It is. The watch Patrick’s wearing is by Hans Braun, a German watch company and maker of super expensive time pieces. They make Rolexes look like Casio.

“Yes.”

“Damn, nigga. You look like that, and you’re rich too? Fuck, there ain’t no way in hell.”

“I’m afraid there isn’t. I’m very serious about Aimee, but I get it. I fucked up with her too. And I had twenty-two years to regret it. Now that she’s mine again, there’s no way I’m letting her go. That woman is going to be my wife.” Patrick takes a ring box out of his pocket. “I’m giving her forever.”

Wesley nods in understanding. “Smart man. I wish I had been that smart at the time. I can’t front. I miss the hell out of her, and the sex! Goddamn, it was always so fucking good.”

“Wesley.”

“Yeah?”

“Too far, bruh.”

“Sorry. Take care of her, man. Aimee’s a real one. You’re very lucky.”

“Thanks.”

The two men shake hands, and Wesley exits.

7

PATRICK

Patrick takes a seat and waits for Courtney to join him.

He watches Aimee discuss the impetuous inspiration forThe Prince’s Journey.

“I suffered a heartbreaking blow from a man I dearly loved. We were forced apart due to a difference in our social class. I wanted him to fight for me, but he couldn’t. So, I wrote a story where he could.”

“What happened to the guy?” someone yells out.

“He and I found our way back to each other.”

The crowd murmurs with excitement.

“Does this mean?—?”

“Hold on, hold on. Please, let’s make our way to the mics and ask our questions. It’s time for the Q&A.”

Courtney sits down next to him with more swag and merch than she had before. It’s a good thing he saved her an end seat, or else she would have a hard time passing people with all of her stuff.

“I’m going to have to mail home so much stuff, Daddy.”

“I can see that, pumpkin.” Patrick smiles.