Page 47 of Loving a Libra
“Tariq! Oh my God!”
“I couldn’t stop myself from falling in love with you. Some would say I was wrong, but nothing in my life had ever felt so right. The more time I spent with you, the harder I fell. You didn’t know it, but my heart belonged to you and patiently waited for you to take ownership. Slowly, but surely, you unknowingly took pieces of mine while giving me pieces of yours in return. When the time came and we crossed those imaginary lines, it happened effortlessly because we were made for each other. I’d be the happiest man in the world if you would do me the honor of being my wife. Devyn Elise Logan, will you marry me?”
“Yes! Yes! Yes!”
More excitement and tears filled the room. Dr. Chanel even shed a few happy tears. Eventually, we left her office and decided to go out to brunch to celebrate.
“Were y’all in on this?” Devyn asked once we were seated and had placed our orders.
I responded for them. “I didn’t tell anyone. I even picked out the ring by myself.”
She grinned as she held her hand up and admired her ring.
“You did a good job, baby.” She leaned over and kissed me.
“I haven’t had this much excitement in years. Are we having the wedding or the baby shower first? I don’t care which, I just want to know what to start planning first,” my mother said.
“Actually, Mama Kia. I don’t want a big wedding. Everyone who means something to me is right here. Aside from a few of my former coworkers, I don’t have anyone to invite.”
“It’s your day, sweetheart. If this is what you and Tariq want, I won’t force our family and friends on you,” Ma said.
“I’ve seen some gorgeous photo shoots of couples who were married at the courthouse. It can still be beautiful, best friend,” Ginae assured her.
“That’s what I want. I still want a beautiful wedding gown, and you to be my maid of honor.”
“Whatever you want, bestie, you got it.”
I listened as my fiancée, her best friend, and my mother discussed different ideas for the wedding. By the time our food came, they’d moved on to possible names for our son and the baby shower.
“Tariq Vincent Thompson, Jr. has a ring to it,” I chimed in. “Or maybe, Tariq Vincent Thompson II? That sounds like royalty.”
“My grandson will be royalty regardless,” my mother said.
“One thing he’ll be for sure is spoiled,” Pops added.
It had been a long time since I’d experienced this level of happiness, if ever. As the conversation continued, I sat back and observed the smiles on everyone’s faces, which caused me to smile as well.
Now that we were engaged, I had no interest in keeping our relationship a secret. I only had a handful of associates who I didn’t see often, because they were either married with families, didn’t live in Chicago, or both. We weren’t close, and they knew me and Maurice, so I hadn’t shared with any of them that Devyn and I were together. I wouldn’t go out of my way to tell them, but I no longer cared who knew about us.
“How doesthis sound to post under this pic?” I asked Ginae. “I would’ve never believed my life could change so beautifully in such a short amount of time. #engagedtomybestfriend #babyboyontheway.”
In the picture were all three pregnancy tests, two ultrasound pictures, and I was holding a little blue onesie. My engagement ring could be seen clearly in the picture.
“Oh my God! That sounds perfect. That nigga is about to crash out.”
“Speaking of crashing out. I forgot to tell you he tried to file a missing person report.”
“For you?” I nodded. “Aww, hell naw. Tariq told you?”
“Sure did. They almost got into it because Maurice is mad Tariq ain’t on his side. He thinks Tariq knows something?—”
“And does!”
“Right! He’s mad Tariq won’t tell him shit. He wanted to call me from Tariq’s phone and was mad he didn’t hand it over. I swear I’ve never met a man with more audacity than Maurice.”
“He can take his audacity and shove it. The crash out he’s about to have needs to be televised.”
“I’d give anything to see it. Okay, sis. I’m about to post it. Wait! Should I tag him?”
