Page 65 of Let Me

I take a sip of my drink and say, “I guess I’ll have to cross that bridge when I get to it, but I already know what I would say.The answer is yes.”

“And you think you’re ready for that?”

“I’ve been ready to get married.”

“I know you want to get married.I’m talking about all the things that come with being with someone like him.”

A few minutes pass while I digest what she’s asking me.I say, “Yes, I’m ready for everything that comes with him.”

I didn’t tell her everything about Judah – like his inability to have children and all that because some things, a woman just needs to keep to herself.Riley certainly would have something to say about that, and I’m not going to change my mind about it so there’s no use in entertaining what she or anyone else has to say.I love Judah, and that’s all there is to it.

“Ay, while you’re so busy concerned about my man, I guess the time has come for me to find one for you.”

“Girl, you ain’t finding me nothing,” she says.“I’m manifesting mine.If he ain’t tall with a beard, chocolate skin and big feet, I don’t want him.”

I laugh out loud.“You’ll get whoever the Lord sends you, boo.”

“He knows what I want.”

I shake my head and say, “Well, I hope he falls out of the sky for you one day.”

I finish my drink, place the glass on the table and lie back on the sofa, thinking about Judah when a text comes through.I don’t have to look at it today to know it’s him.

Chapter 25

I can’t get enough.

When she’s near me, I bathe in her energy.When she’s away, I miss her presence to the point where I can’t think.Can’t concentrate.I’m surprising her with dinner this evening to celebrate the job she doesn’t know I’ve obtained.I had the interview on Friday – an experience I’ve never had before, but they liked me.It was something about my keen sense of detail, my demeanor and the thoroughness of my answers that impressed them.

I killed it.

My father would be proud.I’m still not communicating with him, though, and my mother hasn’t come by either.She’s tired of our constant disagreements.I am, too, so while I’m free of their influence, I’m getting my life together finally with the help of one, sweet, beautiful woman.

In my small kitchen, I’ve lit candles and even tried my hand at cooking something a bit more complicated – lasagna.I prepared a salad and now, I just need her.

My phone shakes me out of my thoughts.Nico’s calling.I haven’t talked to him in a minute.I’m curious to see what he’s been up to but most likely, he’s calling for an update on me like he always does.

“Hey, what’s up, Nico?”

“Yo, what’s up with you, my boy?”

“Chillin’, waiting for my girl to get here.”

“Wait—what did I miss?”

“Autumn.We’re together now.”

“Stop playing with me, Judah.”

“I’m not.”

“That’s great man!”

I hear the sheer excitement in his voice.“Thanks.”

“In all honesty, I kinda knew it would be her.”

“Whatever, man.There’s no way you could’ve known that.”

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