Page 130 of Rome: The Ballerina

“How?”

“Because, I know.”

“That’s not enough.” I chuckled.

“It has to be because that’s all I have. Some things I just know.”

“Some things?” I tittered, “Baby, you know too much. All the time.”

“Maybe you’re right, but we can chat about this later. I have a plane to catch.”

“I–” I paused, stopping myself from saying what was truly on my heart. “I’ll see you in a bit.”

“Okay,” she responded.

I stared at the camera, debating if I should confess how deeply and truly consumed I was with Rome or let her be. I decided that the time wasn’t perfect, so waiting would be my best option.

“Later, baby.”

I moved to end the call. Her voice stopped me.

“Saint–” she paused.

“Yes?”

“I love you, too.”

“Rom-”

“You don’t have to say it,” she explained, “Because I feel it. I’ve been feeling it. I don’t let social norms determine or deter those feelings. You shouldn’t either. I knew I loved you the moment I saw your handsome face. I’d known I loved you before then too. The idea of you.

“I was led to believe, during our first encounter, that you were every bit of the man I’d dreamt you to be. Knowing you were even better did nothing but pull me deeper… faster. I don’t have any regrets. I just think it’s going to be incredible to admit to our children that love at first sight exists and I’ve experienced it.”

She ended the call without waiting for a response. I stared at the blank screen, flabbergasted with what had just been revealed.

She loves me, too. I thought.She loves a nigga.

“Fucking right!” I yelled, pumping my fist in the air. “Motherfucking right.”

Aliza’s name on my screen for the third time was a mood shifter. Hearing her voice would only do more damage, so I avoided the call again. There was something to celebrate and it didn’t involve whatever she was calling about.

The phone rang immediately after I ignored the last one. Figuring I should listen to Rome because Aliza would keep at it until I answered, I slid my finger across the screen to take her call.

“Hello?”

“Gosh, Sac, you sure make it hard to get in touch with you suddenly. What have I done to you exactly?”

“Nothing, Aliza. What’s up?”

“You’re playing on the East Coast and I was thinking about coming to the game. I finally have a break from reh–”

“That wouldn’t be a good idea.”

“Since when?” She chuckled.

“Since Rome.”

She blew outwardly in frustration.

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