“It’s done.”
York let me go. “Take some time, man. You’ve been through a lot of shit in your life, and you never properly dealt with it.”
“I went to a doctor.”
“Yeah, well you haven’t mourned your doctor either.”
“People die.”
“And people are allowed to feel bad about it for a long time.” York looked at his beer. “And why don’t you put some clothes on, man? I’m tired of all the wet muscles in my face.”
“Hey, you’re the one hugging me.”
York walked off. “And get some better beer. This artisan expensive shit taste like urine and juice.”
“Get your own beer.” I made it to the bedroom. My head spun, but I kept on walking.
I wanted to run away. Everything felt so good.
I wanted to hide, but I wouldn’t let myself. I would deal with everything in front of me. York had taken it well. Mrs. Ellen should too. Regardless, I wouldn’t be scared. I wouldn’t cower from anymore fears of the heart.
What made her call them?
When I entered the bathroom, I realized that all my belongings had been put away and in the bathroom. My toothbrush and shaving items were neatly arranged at one end of the glass shelf. At the other end was Zola’s toothbrush and makeup bag.
For some reason, the whole sight made me more confident in us. Like the fact that she knew I would love our toothbrushes together symbolized our success in the future.
Jesus. Hades. She fucking pussy whipped me. That’s what’s going on right now.
Either way, I felt lucky to have her. Gratitude seeped down to my bones. There would be no way I would let her slip from my fingers. I would do anything and more to keep her happy and satisfied.
After I showered, I dressed in a white button-down shirt and dark blue slacks.
“You look nice.” Zola appeared in the doorway wearing a thin white dress. I could imagine the material tearing within my fingers by this evening.
So overcome with emotion, I walked over and put my arm around her. Words hung on the tip of my tongue, but I couldn’t let them go.
“Are you mad at me?” she asked. “I was hoping you wouldn’t be…I don’t know.”
“I’m glad you called them.” I pulled her closer to me, running my fingers through her hair. “What made you do it?”
“I don’t want any reason for us to not start off happy. I don’t want any worries or anything as we begin.”
“There won’t be,” I whispered. “I won’t allow it anymore.”
“They know, Hunter.” She formed her lips into a smile. “Mom knows. York knows. Everyone else will know in my family too.”
Nodding, I swallowed. “Good.”
“No one cares.”
“It was all in my head?”
“Well…” She gave me a weak smile. “Mom is still processing it, although she has now discussed what our grandkids would look like. But I’m sure she’s just saying that to mess with me.”
I studied her face, thinking about the possibility of us having children. “I never knew that this could be my future.”
“Kids?”
“Everything. I never even tried to think of a future with someone. Marriage and children were not something I’d considered.”
She blinked. “Now?”
“Now, I want it all with you.” I lowered to my knees and held her hand. “Baby, I don’t have a ring right now, but damn it, I want you to know in this moment that I couldn’t see any new day without you.”
She gasped. “Hunter?”
“Marry me.”
She parted her lips. “Are you serious? I mean, I—”
“I want you to be my wife. No one else could ever be Mrs. Jasper. No one.”
Her eyes watered as her fingers shook in my hand.
“Marry me?”
“Yes.”
Still on my knees, I pulled her in, burying my face along her stomach. “Thank you, Zola. Thank you for saving me.”
She lowered down to the ground, and we held each other for several minutes. Neither questioned the other. I didn’t know when we would get married or where. The only plan I had for today was to buy the biggest diamond ring I could find in Jamaica.
“Hunter!” Mrs. Ellen yelled from the kitchen. “Zuzu, the food is done! Y’all little honeymooners come on out now.”
York laughed in the background.
Zola rolled her eyes. “They’re both going to joke on us for the rest of their trip.”
“Good.” I smiled. “I need to laugh.”
We rose together as if in sync with the other.
She took my hand and together, we went out onto the terrace where the table had been filled like a Thanksgiving feast. Mrs. Ellen spotted me, and like York, she pulled me into a surprise hug, keeping me in that hold for a long time.