Page 60 of Divine

“It’s after ten, Lee Lee. In a few minutes, I was about to come in there and wake your snoring behind up.”

He chuckled. “Oh, I know we’re not talking about snoring.”

“Oh, yes we are,” I responded with a smile, grateful that he wasn’t making things awkward.

“Smells good in here. What you whipping up?”

“Classic breakfast. I figured I needed it after a night of heavy drinking. I’m making beef sausage, grits, eggs, and honey-buttered biscuits.”

“Aw shit. That hangover must be on your ass bad.”

I smirked at his comment. “That, and I figured the least I could do was feed you after making you put up with me last night.”

“It was nothing. You know I got you, my love.”

“No, it wasn’t nothing. I owe you an apology, Lee Lee. You do so much for me, making sure that I’m good, checking in on me even when you’re off duty, and I let a couple of drinks take me out of character. I put you in a fucked-up position, and I apologize.”

“You don’t have to apologize, Divine. I knew that wasn’t you. You were drinking, ma. We’ll blame it on the alcohol.”

“You’ve seen me drunk, Liam,” I said, looking down at the pan of biscuits as I spoke. “Honestly, I think I was jealous. I’m not used to seeing you entertain other women. You’ve been so attentive and present that I’ve gotten spoiled. I’m not used to sharing you, Lee.”

“You don’t think I know that? I like spoiling you. I love it actually. Why do you think I do all this shit for you? Like Stevie Wonder says, ‘I’m an all-day sucker for you.’”

I giggled, but his comment only made me feel worse.

“Don’t say that. I was wrong for trying to make you feel bad for doing something that should come naturally to you. Shawntae is a pretty girl. I shouldn’t have tripped on you for noticing that.”

His shoulders hiked. “Again, I don’t even know a fucking Shawntae.”

“Be serious, Lee.” I rolled my eyes and smiled.

“D, there’s nothing wrong with admitting that you want me all to yourself. Shit, to be honest, I feel the same about you. You think I like seeing these clowns in your face, but it’s not my place to get in the way unless it’s necessary. I’m possessive when it comes to you too.”

“That’s because it’s your job. I have no business feeling that way, Liam.”

“Neither do I. My job is to protect you. We both know I go above and beyond about you without hesitation.”

“Yeah, you’re pretty amazing. You’re going to make some lucky girl really happy someday. I promise I won’t try to stand in the way,” I vowed.

“For the record, even when I’m entertaining other females, I’m always thinking about you. There’s never a time when you’re not on my mind. I’m not doing that shit because I want to, Divine. None of them can compare to you. I’m sure a lucky girl will come along someday. Until then, I can only fuck on these other females. I can’t offer them anything more than that because I love you.”

“Huh?” My eyes stretched as I looked at him.

As if he had just told me the sky was blue, Liam simply chuckled.

“Don’t overthink it, my love. I came to terms with it a long time ago. Nothing has changed. You hear me?”

What the hell did he mean nothing had changed? Everything had changed. I looked down, unsure of how to respond. The last thing I wanted to do was make things awkward between us. This was different than a whispered confession in the darkness.

Liam detonated a landmine that I never even realized was lodged in my chest. Now what the hell was I supposed to do? I was already undecided on what I should expect going forward. Now, Liam was telling me that he loved me. Was that what I had been feeling all this time?

“Don’t overthink it, Divine.”

“OK.” I nodded, keeping my attention on the food as I made our plates.

“Look at me,” he ordered. “Of course, I love you. Who wouldn’t? You and I are good, D. I can’t blame you for not being able to resist all of this either. I know I’m fine.”

The left corner of his mouth rose as one of those crooked smiles I loved to see played on his lips.

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