Page 15 of The Marriage Agreement (Agreement)

“Hey,” he shouts. He’s in a crowded place. I will fucking beat him up if he’s with her.

“Where is Dele?”

“Library, I think. She said something about an impromptu exam tomorrow, and she can’t afford to fail, so it’s study time.”

“Okay, can you have her call me when you speak to her?”

“I doubt she will call me, but sure.”

I hang up with him, and my anger dissipates. I decided to go out too. Maybe I need to fuck some girl to release the tension building up. On my way out, I called Adam, who I’d turned down earlier in the day. He’s the software guy in our group. Though he believes he’s the most fun of us all.

Adam and I drank and chatted. Soon, Adam and I find our picks for the night. As soon as I step onto the street, the lady kisses me. It feels wrong; I don’t want her.

“I’m sorry. I just realized I have an early day tomorrow.”

“Can we do this some other time?” the lady asks, though I don’t remember her name.

“Sure, we can share numbers.” I nod and give her the number to my second phone, the one that’s not my private line. Martin pulls up, and I get in the car, and we drive off. I’m upset at myself for not taking a willing partner, and the one I want is somewhere in Chicago, and I’m the least important thing on her mind. I say good night to Martin and take my ride up, feeling lost.

Dele still isn’t back when I enter our unit; it’s after midnight. I call her line again, and it goes to voicemail. No point calling Osei. I go to shower and change, then return to the living room, TV on, sitting and waiting for her.

When I suddenly woke up, I look around. The TV is off. There’s a blanket on me with a Lavendar scent, Dele’s smell. I check my phone, and it is 2:30 am. I turn towards the door and notice her shoes on the mat.

She’s back. Relief washes over me. I jump right up and race towards her room. I slow my pace at her door, touching the knob; the door is locked.

I unlock the door to find her sleeping. I kiss her forehead and return to my room.

I’m up at eight, and it’s clear Dele is gone again. She’s a fucking energizer bunny that doesn’t stop. Before leaving for my day, I call her phone.

“Hello.” There’s a lot in that one word. My heart races at the sound of her voice. A year ago, if anyone had told me the sound of her voice would affect me, I would have laughed. Now, hearing her voice wakes my heart.

“How are you?”

“I’m fine. Heading to my exam, then another class, and work.”

“Okay, what time will you be back?”

“Around midnight.”

“I’ll see you then, and good luck in your exams.”

“Thanks, I need it. Bye.”

The week goes by in the same manner. We don’t get a chance to sit and talk. I can’t conclude if this is how hectic her schedule is or if she’s using every tool in her playbook to avoid me. I only talk to her a few times during the week and send her details about our wedding. I know she comes home late every night, and every night I sneak into her room and kiss her forehead.

At one point in all the craziness, I question whether she will show up for our wedding. Osei assured me she’ll be there. A part of me is preparing for my next move if she doesn’t show up.

Chapter 10

LUKE

I’ve tried not to show my eagerness at the fact I haven’t seen Dele since last night. It doesn’t help when Osei tells me she’s running late because her best friend’s flight from LA was delayed—the only witness she’s bringing to the wedding.

“Relax,” Declan says to me. “She’ll be here.”

“She’s strong-headed and could probably decide not to go through with it,” I confess my fear. She may look and sound meek, but I’ve discovered grit in her and a subtle stubbornness.

“And you’ll just walk away?” he challenges.

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