Page 66 of Someone Like You

I sighed. “I didn’t want to talk about it the day that I did it. When I woke up that morning, I knew that it was the day, and I felt powerful. I didn’t want you to try to talk me out of it or psychoanalyze me—”

“I don’t do that,” she argued and slapped me on the chest.

I pulled back and looked down into her face with a smile. “Yeah, you do.”

“No, I don’t.”

“Babe.”

“Do I?” she asked and cutely wrinkled her nose.

“Yes, you do.”

She pouted her bottom lip out and apologized. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. I choose to engage or not engage. No worries. I just knew that a few mornings ago wasn’t that day. And before the shit hit the fan, I wanted one final day in our cocoon to just love on you and cherish you.”

“But you didn’t tell me that morning either.”

“I planned to. That’s why I got up earlier to take care of my morning routine so I could sit and talk with you before I left. But you were tired, babe, and you weren’t moving.”

“Yeah, I was worn out after the balloon ride.”

“Right. So, I figured I’d do it that evening. I just didn’t expect the unexpected.”

“Wait. There’s no way that you came to a major decision like that the other morning. How long had you been planning that?”

“Long before I met you. Well over a year ago, I set the date that would be my final date at the company.”

“You’ve always planned to leave her?”

“Not at first, no. But I never wanted that position.”

“Wow. You had this entire life thrust upon you that you didn’t want. Most men would have loved to be in your position.”

“I’m not a man who likes to be controlled or manipulated, baby.”

“Most men don’t.”

“But for a dollar amount, they can be convinced to look the other way.”

“Didn’t you?”

“No. I looked the other way for the sake of my father, the general.”

“I’m sure that he won’t be pleased when he gets a hold of you.”

“He already has. I stopped by my parents’ house on the way home that day. My mother knew that something was going to happen, but she didn’t know the details. She wasn’t surprised, but the general was upset. He supports me, though, no matter what.”

“How are you going to take care of yourself? Do you have a savings account until you can find something else? Will they try to sabotage your efforts at getting another job?”

“No. None of that is a problem.”

“I mean, I wouldn’t mind taking care of you and being your sugar mama, but I might be out of a job soon too. This penthouse has been nice, but maybe we’re about to be in the unemployment line.”

Though she spoke those words jokingly, I could see the concern in her eyes.

“Can your man speak for a moment and put your mind at ease, woman?” I asked as I gripped the curve of her hip.

---