Page 61 of The Phyre that Burns

“Huh?”

“You’re quiet and seem to be in deep thought.”

“We haven’t been back together long, but you made your intentions clear. If we get married?—”

“Whenwe get married. It’s only a matter of time.”

“Is my ring still getting sized?” she teased.

After the disastrous meeting with my mother, Ginae asked me about the engagement ring I’d mentioned. I told her I only said that to shut my mother up. Judging by how her demeanor changed, she was disappointed, which gave me hope that shewould accept my proposal when the time came, with the ring I’d had tucked away in a safe place for over a month.

“It sounds to me like somebody wants an engagement ring.”

She smiled. “That’s usually what happens before people get married, but I’m in no rush.Whenwe get married, if we’re blessed with children, I don’t want to raise them the way you were raised.”

“Good, because neither do I. Baby, I’m a member ofThe Collectivebecause of who my parents are, but I don’t subscribe to the bullshit they’re on. Don’t get me wrong; they aren’t all bad, but even the ones I consider good people abide by rules that I disagree with.”

“I’m glad we agree.”

“Speaking of children, do you still want two or three?”

“I don’t know. In recent years, I’d kinda gotten used to the idea of not having any.”

“Why?”

“The dating pool has been pissy and shitty for years, and I wouldn’t dare procreate with any of those fools. Plus, I’m approaching thirty-seven, and I don’t want to be an old mom.”

“I’m not perfect, but I’ve never been called pissy or shitty.”

“Tuh. You sure about that? Because I called you everything but a child of God when I found out you were engaged.”

“Let’s not bring up old shit.”

“I’m just saying, there’s a very high probability you were called pissy and shitty.”

I quickly glanced her way, and we both laughed. The fact that we could joke about something that hurt us both so deeply was a good sign.

“Your period hasn’t made an appearance since I’ve been back in the picture, so?—”

“For your information, my period ended two days before we reunited. It’ll be here in a few days.”

“Don’t count on it.”

“I know you’ve been trying to trap me.”

“I know you’ve been trying to get trapped.”

“I have not!”

“You can deny it all you want, but you’ve been a willing participant.”

“I’m innocent until proven guilty.”

“In a few days, I’ll have all the evidence I need to support my case.”

I waited for her to respond with a sarcastic remark, but instead, she broke out in a fit of laughter, which caused me to do the same. By the time we’d gathered ourselves, we’d pulled up at the venue.

“I hope I didn’t ruin my makeup.”