“Hm.” He glanced at Bianca, then back at me. “We’ll give you a few minutes with her.”
Judge Bell gathered his sleeping wife, then eased out of the room. Inhaling deeply, I blew it out, hoping some of the frustration inside me would release. It didn’t. Next to Bianca’s bed, I leaned down and kissed her forehead. Leaning back, I took inventory of the way her chest moved up and down on its own. Inside her chest beat the instrument I wanted for the rest of our lives.
Just six months ago, I was sure I had broken her down only for her to reject me. That was my last time accepting that shit. Now, here I was, about to break one woman’s heart just to open myself upagainto the only woman who could ever get those three words to come to mind when I thought of her.
Bianca’s heart wasn’t the only thing I wanted. I wanted everything. For once, I wanted her to see me. I wanted her to see me…and love me.
As daylight approached, I finally forced myself to leave Bianca’s side. I went upstairs to try and get some sleep. That shit was fitful as hell. Visions of me losing Bianca dominated every second that my eyes were closed. If there was ever a time that Iknew following my heart was for the best, it was now. There was no way I could live this life without Bianca by my side. Whether she liked it or not, I wasn’t going out without a fight. I had to win her heart.
Afewhourslater,with no sleep, I got right to putting things in motion to move Bianca to the ranch. My first call was to my baby sister, Kwamé.
“This is a surprise,” she said by way of greeting.
“Why? I call you at least once a week.”
“Precisely. This is the third time you’ve called me in seven days. The first time was to tell me you were getting engaged. The second time was to cuss me out for not showing up to your engagement party. And now… What is it? Don’t tell me you’ve already changed your mind.”
I chuckled and shook my head. “What if I have good reason?”
“Bro! Are you serious?”
“Well, was it really a proposal if the people I’ve known my whole life wasn’t there?” I grimaced at the thought. Maybe some part of me knew I was making a mistake by proposing to Katrelle.
“You could’ve invited Mom and Dad.”
“I could’ve, but they’re out of the country doing them.”
“It’s crazy of you to think they wouldn’t have dropped everything to witness their oldest son professing his love to a woman. Even if it wasn’t Bianca. You know they love her.”
“Exactly.” I laughed and so did Kwamé.
“So, what’s this call about?” she asked.
“I need you to come to the farm for a lil’ while.”
For a second, Kwamé said nothing. Then, she nervously chuckled. “Are you going to tell me why?”
“Bianca was shot last night. I’m takin’ her to the farm until she recovers.” I gave Kwamé the rundown of the events of the previous night, even disclosing the difficult shit.
“Adir didn’t call me,” she stated.
“He knows you’ve been on an extended vacation.”
“I’m so sorry for you and her. I know how much she means to you.’
I smiled, then said, “Yes, but I need you. You’re the only crisis counselor I trust to be there for her…and me.”
“You never beg,” she mentioned.
“Never,” I emphasized. “We need you.”
A few clicks passed before she said, “Then, I’ll be there.”
“Thank you,” I replied.
“There’s no need to thank me. See you in a few days, bro.”
I hung up with Kwamé and pushed out a deep breath. The next few months were going to make or break me. The grueling days and nights of medical school had nothing on living day in and day out with Bianca. Either she was going to hate me by the time it was all said and done. Or she was going to love me.
