Page 28 of Tempted to Love You

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Me:Whoever taught you to use that emoji is gonna have you lose your player card.

Grant:Stop stalling. Pops is calling back in half an hour. He told me to tell you that he’s proud of you for realizing that his size thirteens ain’t what you need. LOL

Me:Much love. I gotta go. If you don’t hear from me, prepare to make room in your schedule for custom fittings.

Sliding my phone back into my pocket, I head to the living room, where the background noise from the TV alerts me to her location. Deciding to stall Latia’s conversation, I enter the room and drop to one knee.

“Rakai?” Latia’s eyes widen, and her hand rests on her chest as she stares at me.

“From the moment your presence called out to me at the Ritown Projects, an image of forever has embedded itself in my mind. I know that you called me here for an important conversation that could alter the framework of who we are. Yet, your offer sped up my timetable, making it necessary for me to do this now. One thing that I love about you is the drive you have.

After speaking with your father, I know having you in my life has been tailored to show me that I haven’t lost my opportunity for love. I know we’ve been moving at hyper speed, but since we’ve already created an unorthodox blueprint, let’s leap into forever. All I need is a yes and your commitment to grow with me for the rest of your life. I’ve got you from there.”

“A-Are you asking what I think you are?”

Latia’s shaky question reminds me to remove the symbol of forever I’ve been carrying with me all day. Slipping the box out of my pocket, she hasn’t noticed the bulge on my left leg. I open it to reveal the three carat, princess-cut diamond.

“My bad, mama. Yes, I am. Will you marry me?”

“Did you say you talked to my dad?”

Nodding, a smile forms on my lips when Latia slowly moves closer to me.

“Mhm. He threatened and gave me his blessing, too.”

Tears slip from Latia’s eyes, and she drops to her knees in front of me, and my breath hitches in wait.

“In that case, I would be a fool to say anything, but yes, wouldn’t I?”

The wide grin and instant glow on her face have my heart racing and my chest expanding.

“Are you—did you?—”

“A thousand times, yes.”

Yanking her closer, I kiss her hungrily and passionately as tears slowly trickle from my eyes from my excitement.

“Thank you, mama.”

“I love you, Rakai. By the way, the thought of leaving you kept me up on the nights we were together, so I declined the offer. Sacrificing you and what we have means more than money.”

“Damn, you didn’t have to do that, because even if I had to pack my duffle bags, I wasn’t letting you go on without me, mama.”

“It’s okay. Other offers will come because what’s for me will always find me.”

“You got that right.”

Lifting her left ring finger, I slipped the engagement ring that she didn’t realize she helped me pick out into its rightful place.

“It’s beautiful.”

“It’s a symbol of a forever I never saw happening for me, but I’m eternally grateful to have the unexpected blessing.”

Epilogue

Latia

Six Months Later...