Page 48 of After Him, There Was You
Popping the box open with one hand, a closed fist covered his mouth utilizing his other.
“You really are serious,” he observed, momentarily turning his attention from the white gold, three stone, halo engagement ring positioned perfectly in the center of the velvet box. “You don’t have to ask me what I think about her being my sister-in-law. She makes you happy, so she’s always going to get a yes from me. Congratulations, big brother!”
“She hasn’t said yes yet.”
“But we both know she will. That woman loves you, man,” he ensured, handing the box back to me and embracing me in a brotherly hug. “When are you going to ask her?”
“Next weekend. That’s why I’m telling you now. I’m going to rent out King of Hearts where we had our first date. Jaedan and Raegan are going to be there as well as her parents and little sister.”
“What do you need from me?”
“I need you to get Eva there without letting her know what’s going on.”
“Where do you want me, and why don’t you want me to know about it, Zane?” Eva questioned, causing Zeke and I to look at each other in surprise because of the stealth skills she utilized to approach us without either of us knowing.
“Hey, baby! Where did you come from?” Zeke asked, trying to play it cool as he attempted to pull her into a hug.
“Nope. Don’t try to play it cute,baby. Zane, again, where do you want me, and why don’t you want me to know about it?” Folding her arms across her chest, I knew I was going to have to let her in on what I wanted to be my little secret. Eyeing my surroundings, I made sure Tara wasn’t close enough to sneak up on us like Eva had done, before pulling out the box and showing her the ring.
“Oh my God! Congratulations!” Eva cheered, jumping up and wrapping her arms around me. “This ring is beautiful. Tara is going to love it,” she cooed.
“I hope so,” I reasoned because although we had never had the ring conversation, I felt as if the softness of the ring, and the simplistic details of the rose accented setting framing the brilliant diamond was perfect for her.
“I know my best friend, and I know for a fact she’ll love it,” she assured, fawning over the ring. “When are you going to askher? Are you going to do it today while everybody is out here? Oh my God! I can’t wait to see her reaction.”
“You can’t tell her anything though, baby,” Zeke warned, garnering a look of disgust from his woman.
“Is that what y’all were worried about? I’m a vault. There are things that I will take to the grave, so not telling her he’s going to propose won’t be a problem for me,” she stated matter-of-factly, rolling her eyes upwards.
“What the hell do you mean you’re a vault? Don’t let me find out you’re hiding something from me?”
“I guess you’ll never know,” she added with a smirk, turning her attention away from him.
“What is that supposed to mean?” Zeke questioned, making me laugh at the level of genuine frustration developing in him which all stemmed from him jokingly attacking her. “It’s not good to keep secrets if you want a healthy relationship, Eva,” he fussed, folding his arms across his chest, directing all his attention to her as she passed me back the ring.
Her move was just in time because I’d taken notice of Tara walking in our direction with a plate of food in her hand.
With our eyes locked on one another, nothing or nobody else mattered.
“Hey, sweetheart,” I greeted before she could fully invade my space.
“Hey,” she greeted with a smile before turning her attention to the bickering lovebirds. Her smile dropped, and a look of amused concern covered her flawless face. “Are they okay?”
“I don’t know, but I am,” I responded, pulling her into my embrace where she belonged.
“Have you eaten yet? I hadn’t seen you with a plate, so I made you one.” Lifting up the plate she was strategically holdingoutward so it wouldn’t waste on us, I eyed it, and my mouth instantly watered.
“Thank you.”
“Zane, it’s just food.”
“Not just for the food, for everything. I really appreciate you going out of your way to honor my mother. I know she’s smiling down from Heaven, celebrating with us.”
From the décor for the day, the cake with a picture of my mama, Zeke, Zuri, and myself on it, the memorial shirts all our relatives were wearing, and the mere fact she had it in her heart to honor the woman who created me. I found myself loving her on a higher level which I didn’t think was possible.
“It was the least I could do. She was an amazing woman, and though she isn’t here in the physical, she deserves to be honored.”
“I love you.”
