Page 103 of Miles Apart
“I wouldn’t be going to face her wrath otherwise.” I signal to get off the turnpike and groan at the glow of brake lights stretching beyond the ramp. I landed in DC instead of Newark to handle some business and drove back. The weather is threatening to dump a shit ton of snow, and I didn’t want to chance the airline canceling my flight.
“Don’t screw this one up.”
“Aye.” My eyes narrow at the navigation screen like Justice can see me. “That was a fluke,” I say at her laughter.
Emma and I went back to the singles’ retreat last month. It was supposed to be a getaway for us to reminisce and dabble in some bondage at Ravenous. The resort screwed up the reservation that had us in the honeymoon suite. I never intended to propose, but I figured, what the hell? We had the flowers and champagne to celebrate.
Why not bypass an over-the-top ceremony and elope? It made sense to me, but Emma pulled my ass together. She gave a speech about the people most important in our lives not being there. She also chewed me out for my audacity to entertain what she calls microwave nuptials. The discussion turned into an argument that ended with us naked on top of the dining table. Had I known asking about a quick marriage would activate a new level of freak, I would’ve mentioned using Burger King to cater.
We don’t need a marriage to validate our relationship, but I want her in every way possible and would say “I do” tomorrow—hamburgers or not.
Em has revealed more parts of herself to me since we got together close to a year ago. I didn’t think marriage would be in the cards for us. Not yet, given the shit with her parents. But I hopped on a plane two weeks ago to cut a diamond from the earth, based on her reaction at the retreat. My lady wants me to come correct, and I’ll show her better than I can tell her.
Making a diamond into an engagement ring took longer than expected. I couldn’t get home before Valentine’s Day. Em still thinks I’m blowing it off for work, but I still have three hours before the day ends.
The East Coast has been our home since the holidays. We spent Christmas with my mama, who iced me out for her newfriend like I wasn’t shit. She and Emma are as thick as thieves, and I couldn’t be happier. Even if I’m an afterthought in their presence.
Emma and I also saw her dad. Things are still tense, but they’re working on their relationship with a therapist. John is still sorting through the aftermath of Carter’s deception but faces everything head-on.
He refused to sweep the betrayal under the rug. He’s been working with a communications team that specializes in crisis management. They’re on loan from family friends who own a DC law firm and are handling it. Chanda is a real-life Olivia Pope. Through political scandal and a divorce, John came out on top. Voters looked at him as an honest man who won’t tolerate betrayal.
Emma’s mom put up a fight but found her bags packed after the stunt she pulled with Carter. We’ll never know if they worked together or with the network I unearthed, but Juliette is on her own. John had an ironclad prenup and cut her off. She got a condo outside the DMV but lost access to the circle she prioritized above her family. Through therapy, Emma is learning that love is a choice. She’s choosing to sow it into people who have her joy and best interests at heart.
As for Carter, his ass is behind bars. He hasn’t said a peep about the people he works for, likely because he wants to stay alive. They’re ghosts in the wind who erase any breadcrumbs that lead to their identities. I gave the information I uncovered to my homegirl in Baltimore. She’s an investigative journalist dedicated to bringing darkness to light.
I turn onto Marin Boulevard, grateful to leave the traffic to the Holland Tunnel in my rearview mirror.
A baby wails over the phone. “My godbaby is up. Time to put on the cape, Mama,” I say to Justice. “Kiss them both for me and tell T I said what’s up.”
As if on cue, Terrence grumbles. “I got it,” he says, half asleep. I imagine him hurrying off to the nursery, and I smile.
We were all surprised to learn that Justice and Terrence had two babies on the way: Edith and Graciela Reyes. Emma and I flew to Austin last month to meet our godchildren. We’re still set on no kids but are buying a house nearby to be closer. Cali is nice, but family is where the heart is. Time with T and Jay during their trip out west cemented the decision. Em and I will still travel and float between our properties but want to remain connected.
Austin has emerged as the fashion capital of Texas. With a growing demand for luxury and designer events, Emma got the green light to open a Soie office in the city. It will take time to get up and running, but we’ll be closer to our friends, and Em will also have Kojo nearby. He relocated to the area months ago after opening a design studio.
“Have a wonderful time away, and take care of my friend,” Justice says.
I plan to knock the Mario coins out of her pussy.
“Will do,” I say.
I pull up to the curb of my condo and dap up Marquis before handing him my keys. I drove up my Audi R8 after swinging by my Virginia house and visiting Justice’s mama. She wanted to see the ring for Emma and sobbed before hopping on a video call with my mama, who damn near fell out like it was the first time she saw it. My mama called me every two days while I was in Australia asking for updates but gave the BET performance of her life with all that hollering on the phone. Between the gorilla grip that Jay’s mama had me in and the trio of squeals once they called Terrence’s mama, I never thought I’d make it out on time—much less with my hearing intact.
The mothers showered Emma with love during Jay and T’s vow renewal ceremony in Mexico last year. Their affection wasright on time, given Em’s fallout with Juliette. That woman has yet to reach out to her daughter, but Emma has three mamas now who pour into her—their bonus daughter. We now have a blended family with those who love us the most.
I hit up Em’s pops out of respect before driving up to Jersey. John had given me his blessing last year, but he didnt’t know I’m dead serious about loving his daughter for the rest of my life. I’m also serious about him treating her right.
Emma is endgame; there are no two ways about it.
The wind picks up on my walk inside the building. I tighten my peacoat and step through the parting glass doors. This place has everything you need—and then some. It’s a stone’s throw from the city, a major plus whenever Emma has a fashion event. The security is also legit. We have a private elevator. Our condo has panoramic views of the skyline and a split-level terrace with an outdoor jacuzzi.
The elevator door opens to concrete flooring and high ceilings. I drop my bag, pull off my Timbs, and walk through the foyer. Sade’s “By Your Side” is crooning through the speakers. It has become the song we play almost every night while we watch the sunset.
Emma is on the large sectional that overlooks Manhattan. She’s in one of my hoodies, her hair tossed up in a messy bun. Snowflakes coat the night sky as city lights streak through the living room. Emma sighs and sips her wine before reaching for her phone.
Emma
Hi.
