Page 55 of Loving a Libra
“When you say silent, exactly how quiet are you?”
He laughed. “A silent partner just means I invested money. I don’t deal with the day-to-day operations of the business.However, the owners occasionally come to me for advice on financial aspects and marketing.”
“Does that mean I can take a picture of the menu—wait, is there a sign on the building?” He nodded with a smile. “How did I miss that? Can you take a picture of me outside with the sign when we leave?” He gave me another nod and smile. “And can I post it on Flikstagram and say my man named a restaurant after me?”
“Whatever you want, baby.”
“This is crazy. I can’t believe you did this. This is such a . . . grand gesture. No one has ever done anything like this for me. Thank you, Tariq.”
“You’re welcome, baby. Let’s look at the menu before the server comes.”
“Is there anything you recommend?”
“Honestly, everything I’ve tried is good as hell. I’m sure you’ll be pleased with anything you choose.”
After a few minutes, I’d decided what I wanted. The server arrived, apologizing for the delay I hadn’t even noticed. She went ahead and took our drink and food orders before disappearing, leaving me and Tariq to continue to converse.
“So, umm. I talked to my father a few days ago.”
“Oh? How’d that conversation go?”
I sighed and shook my head. “I would love to know what he has against me.”
“Nah. I’m kinda glad you don’t know. I’m willing to bet my life that information wouldn’t serve you well. His beef with you is for him to deal with, not you.”
“I suppose you’re right. Anyway, I called him to tell him I was engaged and pregnant with his first grandchild. He said he hoped I wasn’t calling to ask him to pay for the wedding. No congratulations or anything of that nature.”
“I’m sorry, baby. I wish he’d had something positive to say, but you couldn’t have been surprised.”
“I’m always hopeful but never surprised. Sometimes, I want to forget he exists, but then I feel guilty. He is my only living parent.”
“I’ve voiced my opinion about him many times, but I’ll support however you choose to handle him. I got you forever, so you’ll never need him again.”
I gave him a half smile. “I know. Thank you for always listening.”
“That’s what I’m here for.”
He lifted my hand from the table, bringing it to his lips and leaving a reassuring kiss. My bladder had been vying for my attention for a minute, so I excused myself to the bathroom. I tiptoed in my heels through the main dining room toward the sign indicating where the bathroom was. As much as I loved the changes in my body, using the bathroom more frequently wasn’t one of them. I didn’t think that would start until my final trimester, but clearly, I was wrong.
After using the bathroom and washing my hands, I took my phone from my purse and took a few selfies in the full-length mirror. The brown fitted dress I wore looked amazing against my skin and showed off my baby bump perfectly. With my head in my phone, looking at the pictures I’d just taken, I exited the bathroom.
“Devyn, right?”
I looked up at a vaguely familiar face leaving the men’s restroom.
“Umm . . .”
“I’m Jerome. Maurice and Tariq’s friend. We met earlier this year atERL’sanniversary party.”
His name vaguely rang a bell, so I went with it. “Oh, yes. It’s good to see you.”
I began walking toward the main dining room, as did he.
“I don’t want to be too forward, but I ran into Maurice last week, and he told me you two were expecting. Congratulations!”
I touched my stomach as confusion filled my brain. “Oh, did he? Thank you.”
“My wife is expecting our first as well.”
