Page 76 of The Best Man: Unfinished Business

Chapter Forty-nine

Robyn

“How has the trip been?” Robyn asked Kwesi on FaceTime from her car. From what she could see, Kwesi was walking on some kind of university campus.

“Good, ya. Nigel seems to be taking to the University of Liverpool. I’m really wanting him to investigate the Caribbean or back home. He needs some Black influence.”

“I guess you guys don’t have any HBCU’s over there.” Robyn smiled at the screen while keeping an eye on Harper, who was making his way back to the car.

“Nah, just tighty-whities. How you doing, love? How’s Mia?”

“She’s okay. She’ll be a real mess when her father leaves.”

Kwesi nodded, with a subtle smile. “Mmmm. So…Harper is still there, yeah?”

Robyn knew Kwesi wasn’t wholly comfortable with that notion. But Robyn also knew he didn’t have much of a leg to stand on given his own family circumstances. And now that gave her comfort. Not stress.

“He is. We’ll talk when you get back,” Robyn said.

“I see. Okay…” Kwesi sounded reticent. Robyn knew it was time to give reassurance.

“Hey, I miss you,” she offered sweetly. “My feet miss you too.” She smiled at the memory.

Kwesi let out a small chuckle. “I miss you and them too,” he teased right as Harper approached the passenger-side door.

His eyes were bloodshot with tears. Robyn smiled at her phone, said goodbye to Kwesi, and hung up right as Harper reached for the door.

He climbed in and closed it, muffling the sound of the ocean and tourists outside.

“Everything okay?” Robyn asked.

Harper nodded. “Yeah, I’m good.”

“Good,” Robyn replied as she looked out the front windshield. She had something that needed to be said.

“I’m not taking your money, Harper.” Harper turned to her. She looked back at him. She wanted him to hear her and see it in her face. “I appreciate the offer, but that’s not the answer.”

“Well, what is?”

“I don’t know, but I’m going to figure it out.”

“Whatever it is, I’d like to help figure it out. Together.” Harper took her hand. Robyn pulled it away. Harper’s brow furrowed. She decided to end the confusion for once and for all.

“Last night was incredible…and a little crazy.”

Harper nodded. “Yeah…”

“But you don’t owe me anything. And…vice versa,” Robyn declared. “I need to move forward with clarity and certainty. The ‘married to Harper’ part is over for me,” Robyn said.

“I get it,” Harper said. “Will it make you feel better if we consider it a loan? A no interest loan,” Harper said. “You pay me back whenever.”

“It’s not about that for me, Harper.”

“Because of ol’ boy—?” Harper began to say. Robyn shook her head.

“?‘Ol’ boy’s name is Kwesi. And no. It’s not because of Kwesi. It’s because of me, Harper. This is about me. You do what you want for your journey, your path, but it no longer involves me….”

“What are you going to do with Robyn’s Nest?” Harper asked sincerely.

“Let’s take a ride,” Robyn said.

“Another one?” Harper joked.

Robyn gave him a playful, not playful side-eye. “Do you trust me?”

Harper returned her side-eye and chuckled a little. “Yes, I trust you. Of course.”

“Good, I want to show you one more thing,” Robyn said as she cranked up the SUV.