He Loves Me Not (Bunch-A-Blooms 1)

He released her and sat back on his heels.

“Thank you.” As he slipped off the bed, she watched him go with frayed nerves. Oh my God. Is he going to propose? He was making too big a deal of things. Am I ready? Excitement pooled in her belly. What the hell does one wear to an engagement? She slipped off the bed and moved to sift through her closet. A slinky, open-backed, gold-sequined number caught her eye. She smiled. That’s the one. It felt more like floating than walking as she put on one of her favorite 80s movies and returned to bed. Mason drifted in with a bottle of water, popcorn, and Twizzlers, and left as a knock came at the door.

Her mind filled with questions, and her anticipation grew. Their courtship had been a whirlwind, and she’d enjoyed every minute of it. He’d pushed her outside of the box she’d become too used to living in, reinfused her with life, and made it possible for her to step out of the quicksand of debt, and responsibility. She was in a much better place now because one man noticed her struggling and decided to do something about it. No, not just some man, my Mas. One of the few people I can always depend on. It did funny things to her insides.

Is this what falling in love feels like? I can scarcely remember. It’d been years since she had to question her feelings. She placed her hands on her belly. I’m doing exactly what I promised myself I wouldn’t. I’m buying into the lie we’re selling. Still, when he looked at her and his eyes lit up, or he whispered to her and talked her down off the ledge, it was so genuine. Maybe I’m not the only one losing sight of why we started this. Torn between pulling away and fully embracing the experience, she toyed with the frayed ends of the quilt from her grandmother.

The closer she got to the point of no return, the more confused she became. She cursed herself for backing herself into a corner with no one to bounce things off. I should’ve told Olive and Willow the truth. Now it would hurt their friendship and break their hearts. They gushed over what they saw as a fairytale story come to life. She wouldn’t take that from them. Lois and Melinda would be pissed she lied and took their dream man, so that was a no go. Her thoughts flickered to her grandmother. Sound of mind, even as her body failed, she would get it and listen without judgment. She made a mental note to visit her the next day. For now, she’d shelve the issue.

Studying herself in the mirror, she turned to the left and right, enjoying the way the light caught the shimmering material that almost looked like mermaid scales. She’d done bronze makeup that played up the otherworldly world, and she’d braided her hair around her head like a crown. Her lips were a deep red that wouldn’t rub off thanks to Lip Sense. Taking a deep breath, she stepped back on three-inch sparkly gold heels. Tonight would be one to remember. For better or worse.

A rap came at the door.

“Come on in.”

She stepped away from her vanity, and her mouth formed an O. Dressed in a pair of fitted dress pants, a white button-up, black vest, and gold bowtie, Mason looked good enough to eat.

“You look amazing,” he whispered.

She raked her gaze over him once more and grinned. “Thank you, so do you.”

“Thank you.” He stepped forward and offered his arm. “May I escort you to the table?”

“Please do.”

They descended the stairs. Candles flickered in lanterns of various shapes and sizes. Gray and white pom poms hung from the ceiling, broken up by strands of glittering crystal ropes.

She gasped, “Oh.”

“Melinda and Lois might have helped.”

“It’s beautiful,” she breathed. He was weaving magic around her, climbing inside of her bloodstream, and giving her all the things she hadn’t known she wanted. Clocks were strategically placed in groups on tables throughout the room, and the kitchen table was a work of art. A lace tablecloth was broken by a row of silver vases filled with white mums, roses, orchids, and hydrangeas. The sweet smell reached her nose from across the room. Square gold plates, candles, crackers, and horns were strategically placed for two.

“Oh my goodness, the details are exquisite.” The white linen napkins were held by timepiece napkin holders.

“The theme is a bright future.”

“It is indeed,” she whispered.

He walked her to a chair, pulled it out, and helped her scoot in.

He went into the kitchen and returned with a platter of spinach artichoke dip in a large white bowl surrounded by perfectly cut toasted bread slices.

“I know this is one of our favorites, and while it’s a nice dinner, we’re us.”

She smiled. “It’s perfect.”

“Wine?”

“Yes, please.”

He pulled a bottle of Cupcake Moscato out of a bucket of ice, and she marveled at how well he knew her. Opening it with ease, he poured them both a glass and sat across from her. He held up his wine glass.

“To us.”

“To us,” she said as they clinked glasses.

Music played in the background as they dug into their first course. They worked their way through a Caesar salad, and a perfectly cooked Herb Roasted Prime Rib with bacon wrapped asparagus and roasted purple potatoes.