Page 171 of Rome: The Ballerina

“Champ–” Chemistry greeted him, slapping palms.

Worry lines creased Saint’s forehead. They promised a permanent residency until I stepped out of the car, trailing behind my brother. My movements were slow. The pain in my abdomen was dull, but it was present.

“Mellow,” he called out to me.

“Take care of her,” Chemistry tossed over his shoulder as he slipped into the backseat, leaving Saint and I alone. As quickly as he’d come, he’d gone.

“That’s exactly what I plan to do,” Saint promised.

I stood, unmoving. A smile widening my entire face. Saint lifted his hand, nearly blinding me with the custom MVP ring on his finger.

“You better had gotten that ring!” I squealed, feeling a sense of pride. And joy. And happiness. And contentment.

“Couldn’t let you down, Mellow. But, I had a revelation. Ya know. I figured double or nothing, ya know.”

“Double or nothing?” I asked, baffled as to what he was referring to.

He didn’t keep me guessing. He reached into his new jacket, displaying his current title as a champion, and removed a box.

Boom.

Boom.

Boom.

Boom.

I could hear my heart hammering against my chest.

Boom.

Boom.

Boom.

Boom.

“If you want something big and something bold, just tell me no tonight. I won’t take it personal because I know without a doubt you’re mine. Gone always be mine. But, I don’t have a problem going all out and doing the whole thing for you because that’s what you deserve. I just felt that this moment is no better than another. Right here. Right now. You and I. What you say, Rome? You wanna be my wife?”

“Without a doubt, Saint. I only have one request.”

“Whatever you want?”

“Ask me the same question and present the same ring to me in exactly seven days. I don’t want to look back on our night years from now and feel the pain of losing our child every time I do. My body is changing, baby. And, when we wake up in the morning, it will have shed itself of the little person it considered a threat.”

“Rom–”

“Shhhhh. We don’t have to discuss it. I don’t want to discuss it. I just want to– lay down. In your bed. In your arms.”

Saint shoved the ring in his pocket and intertwined his fingers with mine. He led me into the house. Into his bedroom. And, into his bed. He undressed as I peeled the covers back. Their coolness welcomed us both.

I curled up, pressing my body into Saint’s for comfort. He held onto me, running his fingertips up and down my arm.

“I love you,” he whispered.

“In every lifetime,” I responded, finally able to close my eyes.

SIXTEEN

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