Page 64 of Let Me

“You’ve changed my entire life.”

She climbs on top of me and says, “You’ve changed mine, too, and I’m never letting you go again, even if I have to fight you.”

“You won’t have to.I’m not going anywhere.I’m yours forever.”

Chapter 24

Being inside Riley’s cozy apartment is such a better feeling than it was the last time I was here.She has music playing low as she shakes up cocktails in the kitchen.As soon as I walked in, she said she would get drinks started before I told her how the blind date with Tyler went.She wanted all the juicy details, and I was excited to give them to her.

After she pours our drinks in Martini glasses, we walk over to the sofa.She says, “Alright, so, how was Tyler?”

“He was cool.”

“Oh, Lord.You didn’t like him.”

I grin.“I did like him.We had a cute little conversation.”

Riley shakes her head.“A cute lil’ conversation?Girl, just say it.You didn’t like him.”

“I did, and you know what—if I didn’t know that there was a better man out there, one who was absolutely perfect for me, maybe I would’ve given him serious consideration.The problem is, there is a better man for me and that’s why I couldn’t mesh with Tyler.”

“I know you ain’t talking about Judah.”

“Wait, hear me out.So, me and Tyler were in the restaurant.We order appetizers, which was my suggestion because I wasn’t really in the mood for a full dinner.I was just doing you a favor by going out with him, anyway.So, we were talking, everything was good, we were leaving and as I’m walking back to my car, I see Judah standing there like he’s waiting on me.”

Riley’s eyes grow big when she says, “Girl, you better stop lying!”

“I’m not,” I say, unable to wipe the huge grin off my face.

“What did he say?”

“He was on the same thing, talking about how he thought I deserved someone who could give me a better life.”

“And what did you say?You started crying, didn’t you?”

“I did.I was crying because I was really hurt.He was crying because he knew he hurt me and he missed me.Long story short, we’re back together and we’ve been back together since Wednesday night.”

“So, there ain’t going to be no flip-flopping this time, right?”

“Right.I made that clear to him.I’m not doing the back and forth.”

Riley’s eyes narrow.

“It’s cool, Riley.And, he’s been doing things to show me that he’s in this for good.It’s not going to be like it was before.”

“How do you know that for sure?”

“Because he wants to meet my parents.I already set it up for tomorrow.My mom is beside herself with excitement.”

“Girl, that’s good just as long as he follows through.”

“He will.I’m confident.Whatever the case, I’m going to keep hope alive.”

“I mean, ay, maybe it’s a good thing.Perhaps he wants to ask your father for your hand in marriage.”

“Nah.It’s too soon for that.”

“What if he did?What would you say?”

---