Page 56 of Loving a Libra
“That’s great. Congratulations to you both.”
“Thank you.”
When it became apparent that we were headed in the same direction, he said, “Since we’re going the same way, I should probably stop by and speak to my boy.”
I giggled on the inside because Jerome was about to get the shock of his life, and I gave zero fucks. I honestly wanted to record the interaction, but didn’t want to be ratchet in this nice establishment named after me.
He continued to walk alongside me, and I thought the closer we got to my table, Jerome would notice it was Tariq sitting there, not Maurice. The men looked nothing alike, but I guess Jerome’s vision wasn’t great.
“Wassup, Tariq? I didn’t know you were here too. Did Maurice step out?”
Tariq stood to give Jerome a one-armed hug. “Wassup, bruh? It’s been a minute. As far as I know, Maurice isn’t here.”
“My bad. I ran into Devyn leaving the bathroom and assumed she was here with Maurice. Is he on his way?”
“C’mere, baby,” Tariq summoned, extending his hand.
I stepped in front of him, and he wrapped his arm around my waist, resting his hand on my stomach. I’d never seen someone with a more confused look than the one Jerome wore at that moment.
“I ain’t gon’ hold y’all. What the fuck is this?”
“What are you confused about?” Tariq asked.
I put my hand on top of Tariq’s, making sure my engagement ring was on full display.
“This some foul shit!” Jerome spat as he walked away, disgust filling his voice.
“No. What’s foul is the baby your boy told you he was expecting because it sure as hell ain’t with me,” I said to his back.
Tariq put his hands on my waist, turning me around, and I wrapped my arms around his neck, caressing the back of his neck.
“Who told you Maurice was expecting a baby?”
“Jerome just did, although he didn’t realize he was spilling tea. Did you know?”
“He told me when we went to D.C. I didn’t tell you because?—”
“It doesn’t matter, baby. Nothing Maurice has done in the past, is doing presently, or will do in the future matters to me.”
We shared a kiss, and Tariq helped me to my seat before returning to his. Once we were settled, our eyes connected for a moment. Simultaneously, we burst into laughter.
“Did you see the look on Jerome’s face?” I asked through laughter.
“Hell yeah. If what the fuck was a person, it would’ve been him right then. His expression was priceless.”
We continued to laugh as the server approached our table with our food, forcing us to gather ourselves.
“It looks like you two are enjoying yourselves. I hope our food adds to your experience,” she said as she placed our dishes in front of us.
“I’m sure it will. Thank you,” I said, still laughing.
“I’ll be back to check on you shortly. Is there anything you need right away?”
“No. We’re good. Thank you,” Tariq responded.
When she left, Tariq blessed the food. Before he began eating, he said, “How long you think it’ll be before Maurice is blowing up my phone?”
“I’d say in five, four, three—” Before I finished my countdown, Tariq’s phone rang. “Is that him?”
