Page 52 of Embrace

“What! Girl, you’re lying!” Mari cackled.

“If I’m lying, I’m dying! Girl, it took three police officers to get Blaze off him. The whole time I’m speechless because I’d never seen Blaze snap like that. He spent a day and a half in jail. I had to beg Malik’s ass to drop the charges.”

“Damn!”

“Yup. Then I don’t know if it was my cycle or my real emotions, but I regretted marrying him for a few moments. It took a while for me to open up and explain that to him, but before the night ended, we were hugged up and on good terms again.”

Mari’s bottom lip poked out into a pout. “Damn. I was hoping y’all made a honeymoon baby.”

I tossed my head back as I laughed. “Are you and Blaze plotting on my uterus?”

“I’m fa sho plotting. I need you to go ahead and make me a rich auntie.”

“I don’t want to rush bringing a baby into the world. Me and Blaze have a lot to work on with our marriage before we think about adding another life to the agenda.”

“I think y’all are going to do great.” Mari explained. “I think it’s a beautiful thing that the Arranged Hearts service forced y’all to admit to feelings y’all were too scared to admit before.”

“I don’t know if I’d call it force or scared. I think they prompted us to embrace the idea of forever with each other. I don’t regret going through the company at all. I’m glad they saw what we weren’t ready to see.”

“It seems like everything fell into place at the right time. Despite the exes popping up, it feels like y’all didn’t have to overcome many obstacles, and that’s rare. There’s usuallysomekind of drama when relationships first get started.”

“I worried about that too. However, I don’t want to put a question mark where God put a period. I’m actually happy we don’t have to worry about drama and situations that could cause a rift in our marriage. Sometimes, a drama free romance is what the girlies need to cleanse their pallets.”

Mari cooed. “Aww! I know that’s right, sister! You got me wanting to sign up for the damn service.”

“Honestly, I’ve heard so many success stories! I’d recommend it to anyone who doesn’t mind going the unconventional route to love.”

Mari hummed. “I might consider it if I’m not in a relationship by my thirtieth birthday.”

“Rooting for you, sister.”

We relaxed in the massage chairs and continued to enjoy different conversations. The idea of my sister going the Arranged Hearts route intrigued me. Her experience would be completely different from mine, but I’d hope she got her happily ever after as I soon would.

“I know we’ve moved on, but I can give you Lamya’s number. She was the employee who matched Blaze and I together,” I said during a moment of silence.

“Girl, we’re still two years away from the potential of me using the service. I might stumble into my Prince Charming tomorrow.”

“You’re right,” I agreed with a light chuckle.

“On another note, have you considered making new friends?” Mari asked.

“Why would I make new friends? I have you and Blaze.”

Mari shook her head. “Girl. I’m your sister and Blaze is your husband. Who are you going to turn to when we’re getting on your nerves?”

I shook my head. “Look. When Blaze pisses me off, I come to you. When you’re working my nerves, I go to him. I don’t want new friends. I got y’all.”

“I hear you, sis. I hear you.”

Mari shook her head.

Call me an introvert, or whatever, but I didn’t want to or cared to have any new people in my life. When Arranged Hearts matched Blaze to me, they confirmed everyone I needed in my life had always been there. I didn’t need a stranger added to the mix.

“All done,” the nail tech stated as she applied the hand oil to my cuticles. I stood up and went over to the sink to scrub the excess powder from my fingers and examined the work. My nail tech never disappointed. I felt like a new woman with my freshly arched brows, waxed lip, and pristine mani-pedi.

“We have to do this more often,” I proposed as me and Mari exited the nail shop.

“I agree. Maybe we can pick a day every month to do something just the two of us.”

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