up. The way he told the story was far different from how it had felt at times, but it gave me a chance to shoot a quick text to Reggie.
Me: What’s your mom’s number?
It took him a few minutes to reply.
Reggie: Why? What’s wrong? Should I be worried?
Me: No. Nothing like that. I need her help.
He sent her number, and then followed it up with a message that was evidence the Warren sense of humor was hereditary.
Reggie: My dad will kick your ass if you put the move on his woman. He already told me he had an eye on you.
Their dad didn’t have anything to worry about. I had eyes for one woman, and one alone.
Me: LOL He told me that too.
I’d call her mom on the way back to the apartment to see if she could meet me sometime that week and help me find a ring. Honeybee wasn’t going to wait long, and I didn’t want her to.
After an hour or so, Eric and Rhett said they needed to go. They were catching a ball game that night. I was thankful because, even though I knew she was okay, I was ready to get back to my girl.
The thing that surprised me most about the past week, being with her night and day? It still wasn’t enough. I’d never tire of seeing or talking to her. Taking out the trash, or having meals together. Even though I’d fallen in love with her, never getting to experience so many firsts, each day felt like it was full of them now.
Since I’d only had two beers, I offered to drive. I told Troy we’d pick up the rental car the next day. I didn’t think Blake would mind, but I kind of offered her small spare room to him—at least for the night. Besides, he mentioned he was eager to find a place of his own.
If Blake moves in with me, he could have her place.
Thoughts like that ran wild through my mind. Was there such a thing as too fast for us anymore? Not to me.
“Honeybee, I’m home,” I sang as we walked through the front door. No knocking. No waiting for her to let me in. Our spaces were already becoming shared. Naturally. Oh, and I had a key.
She’d kept the door locked, which made me think too much.
Was she afraid?
Did she always do that?
Would he come here?
I shook off the curveball thoughts my mind threw at me and, instead of treading through bullshit, chose to find my girl and get my fucking lips some satisfaction. It had only been a few hours, but those demanding fuckers needed what they needed.
“Hi,” she greeted me with a smile from the kitchen. She was busy in her element. “Hey, Troy. How’d you like the new building?”
“It’s damn big, but it’ll fill up fast. How are you feeling?” he asked, walking around the counter to give her a hug. He was gentle, knowing what she’d been through.
When she gave him a kiss on the cheek, he teased, “Oh, keep going. Casey. Dude. Fuck off. We need a minute. She needs to see what a real man is like.” He pretended like he was ravaging her neck and she laughed easily as he playfully nuzzled her.
I felt no jealousy. None. In fact, I liked seeing how well she fit into my life and how my people loved her as much as I did. Her presence wasn’t through telling my friends and family about her, finally they saw her magic firsthand. Of course they loved her like I did; she was magnificent.
And when it came to her laughs, in those days, I wasn’t picky. I’d take hearing her giggle, no matter where it came from or who was making her happy. Watching her come back to life was something I wouldn’t take for granted.
“I’m feeling good. You were right though,” she said to me, waving him away. “I’m getting a little worn out.” She chuckled and fanned herself, conceding to what I’d told her earlier.
“Well, I’m here now. Put me to work, Chef.” There were ribs marinating in something that smelled smoky and sweet. She’d made guacamole and a pasta salad. On a separate platter there were vegetables skewered and seasoned, prepped for the grill.
“It’s all ready to go. I’m just waiting for it to heat up and then the ribs can go on.”
I opened the refrigerator to grab three beers for us as Troy carried the trays outside for Blake. She’d