Page 25 of Betrothed To Love

“Add the vagi-steam too. You’re married now,” she says with playfulness in her tone. “Call me later. I need to go.”

“Bye, bitch,” I tease before ending the call.

As soon as my line is clear, I log on to Sugar + Milk Beauty Bar & Spa’s website. Since I’m a VIP member, it’s normally easy to book appointments the same day and today is no different. At six, I’ll be on a table getting treated to magical hands. That gives me an hour to change and head to Blue Mountain where it’s located. Right before I stand, I get a text from Giselle.

Giselle: I forgot to tell you. Quintus isn’t a client here. I only have one Bako and it’s not him.

Relieved, I text back. Oh. Thanks!

Although I’m curious who the other Bako is, I’ll never ask. It would be futile anyway because Giselle would never tell me. The privacy of her clients is absolute. In her mind, this is the only line she’ll cross, and even that’s only for us, her besties.

I arrived in Diamond Falls about fifteen minutes before one and ran into a train, a long ass train. I’m late and loathe not being on time. My ma always said that being late is the rudest thing a person can be because it shows a total disregard for the person or people waiting for my arrival. I feel bad, so while I’m stuck in this line of vehicles waiting on the train to pass, I send Quintus an apologetic text.

Me: In DF but stuck behind a train.

Quintus: You’re good. Take your time and just be safe.

My bestie group text is next. As I dressed for lunch, Giselle was on FaceTime and Kyrah and Alex were texting. They want a play by play as soon as this is over and I’m back in my ride heading home. We also agreed to forego our usual FNF this Friday and invite Quintus to Giselle’s instead. I just have to get him to agree.

Me: I’m late.

Giselle: Late how? You left at five.

Kyrah: You aren’t there?

Alex: Barely late. Are you close at least?

Me: I’m in Diamond Falls but there’s a long ass train and I can’t get around it.

Kyrah: Well damn!

Alex: I’m sure it’s fine. He lives there. He probably knows about the train.

Giselle: You look good so who cares. Just take a lot of pictures. LOL

Me: You know I won’t. LOL. I’ll call when I’m heading home though.

When I look up from my phone, I see there are only a few cars left on the train. Thank God it’s moving on. I drop my cell into my cup holder and shift into drive. The minute the crossing gate lifts, the first car flies across the tracks. I’m the third in line so I cross not even a minute later and follow my navigation to a subdivision. The brown and beige two-story home with the numbers 2410 under the light on the side of the garage door has four cars and a motorcycle filling the driveway so I drive past it, circle back, and find a spot a few cars down on the side of the road. Before getting out, I call Quintus.

“Hey. You still stuck at the train?” he answers and I hear voices and music in his background.

“I’m actually here. I just parked about three houses down. I’m getting out.”

“I can move my ride and you can park in the driveway. Just give me a minute,” he insists.

“No. I’m getting out. See you in a minute.”

“I’m coming to get you,” he says before ending the call.

It’s mid-August and probably our last few days of this nice, warm weather. Fall is rapidly approaching and the season for my cute designer slides is fading, so I’m taking full advantage while I can. Along with my favorite red and gold slides, I’m wearing cute, cuffed wide leg jeans and a sexy but appropriate for meeting the in-laws, red, laced-up top. After double checking my face, I grab my cell and small tote then get out. I immediately see him walking toward me looking too damn fine in jeans and a short-sleeved white tee. He walks right up to me and pulls me in for a hug.

“You ready for this?” he asks after planting a soft kiss on my forehead. The gesture is small but affects me in a big ass way, causing me to briefly close my eyes.

“I think I am. It’s just family?” I ask, trying to minimize the situation.

“My big ass family. And I told them already. They can’t wait to meet you,” he says casually.

“Wait! What?” I exclaim, surprised. “What did they say?”