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“Well, yes, it is,” Harmony agreed quietly.
“Then what’s the real problem? Because I believe you’re emotionally intelligent enough to detach from any man, no matter how much he means to you. That’s not to say it won’t hurt, but you’re capable of taking care of your emotions and making sure it doesn’t destroy you. You’ve never been a possessive person in your relationships, and you’ve always been selfless. So what’s really going on, baby sis?”
Her eyes shifted to the ceiling, and she ran her tongue across her teeth as she swallowed back tears.
“I’m falling in love with him,” she whispered as tears slowly slid down her cheeks. Finally getting the words out caused her to release a giggle as she wiped her tears. “It’s moving so fast, and it feels so good, and I know on the outside looking in, it probably seems crazy, but I’m falling in love with him. He’s everything I want in a man, and the way he treats me is top tier. I guess I’m so scared because I’m falling in love with him. All I can say is Keith fucked me over and we were together for two and a half years. How in the hell can I trust what I’m feeling for Saint, and we’ve known each other for a little over a month?”
“I will say this: you know Mom and Dad fell in love fast, too. They were engaged three months after meeting and were married six months later. It’s possible, sis, no matter who believes it’s too fast. There is no timeframe on the feelings associated with love, and you can, at any point, choose to commit to someone or release them just the same. Do I think bonds need time to grow? Yes. That’s what relationships are about—growing individually and as a couple together.
“But I also think it’s possible to commit to loving and being with someone, even moments after meeting them. I get the fear of not wanting to love and lose, but you have to remember the only control you have is control over what you do and commit to. Just like you’ve chosen to let Saint in and make love a need, if necessary, you will also have to choose to release him and detach if the relationship ends. God blesses us with what He has for us when we release what we want for ourselves. Two and a half years was a long time to be with a man that wasn’t for you. It’s a blessing to know, just after one month, that you’re with a man who is. True love is your reward… not something to be feared. Take pride in that, Harmony, and there you will find the security you’re looking for.”
By the time her brother was done speaking, tears saturated her face. Covering her tears, Harmony cried harder, causing TJ to pull her into his arms.
“It’s okay, baby sis. I think this might be the first time you’ve truly been in love, and I don’t want you to let overthinking destroy your present happiness. You deserve it and so much more.”
She laughed and wiped her tears on his sweater. “I think you’re right. What I felt for Keith was nothing compared to this. I had love for him, but this is on a different level. This is me choosing to love a man, not just accepting them because they chose me. I want all the smoke with this man and the ashes too.” Harmony chuckled as she sat upright. “I was honestly just scared, but you helped erase those fears, for sure. Thank you, TJ.”
“Always, but if you really want to thank me, let me name the first baby when it comes.”
Her eyes rolled as she smiled before grabbing a pillow and swatting him with it. TJ followed suit, and their pillow fight had her laughing erratically as she fell off the couch and onto the floor.
* * *
At the soundof the doorbell ringing, Harmony shifted in Saint’s arms. When he’d arrived, they got wine wasted while doing karaoke on Facebook live before she air fried wings and fries, then they fell asleep. Harmony released a quiet groan, slipping further under Saint’s embrace. He held her closer, locking his arm around her neck. The doorbell rang again, and it was clear at that point whoever it was didn’t plan to leave.
“Who the fuck is that?” Saint grumbled, not bothering to release her.
“I don’t know,” she replied, blindly reaching for her phone on the edge of the bed. It was pitch black in her room, so Harmony had no idea what time it was or if there was light outside. The blackout curtains she’d put up allowed her to sleep in darkness no matter what time of day. The light on her phone had Harmony’s eyes squinting as she focused on the time—8:59 p.m. She couldn’t help but chuckle as she removed Saint’s arm from around her.
It only took two glasses of Port to have Saint tipsy, and by the time they’d gotten off Facebook Live they’d finished two bottles. Needless to say, he was drunk as hell, grinning happily as he ate his food. As soon as his head hit the pillow Saint was knocked out, and by his light snores, he didn’t intend to wake up fully to find out who was at her door.
Harmony pulled up her Blink camera app, and at the sight of Keith at the door, she released a low, “Hmm.” Curiosity more than confusion set in as she sat on the edge of the bed. She hadn’t spoken to Keith since he’d randomly popped up wanting them to get back together again. Running her fingers through her wavy hair, Harmony released a deep sigh as she stood, then cut the flashlight on her phone to find her black fluffy house shoes to slip her feet into. Not bothering to slip on a robe, she headed to the front door in her satin, two-piece, shorts pajama set. Keith had seen her in a lot less.
Opening the front door, Harmony tried to force a smile but she couldn’t. She couldn’t help but ask, “Are you okay?” when their eyes landed on each other. He had to be in trouble pulling up on her at night without texting or calling her first.
“Can I come in?”
Her head bobbed once as she opened the door a little wider, allowing him entrance. “Is something wrong?”
Keith’s head shook as he headed toward the living room. Harmony was glad he didn’t try and go in her bedroom because she hadn’t bothered to close the door.
“Yeah, something is wrong.” Keith waited until they were seated and facing each other to continue. “I miss you, Harmony.”
Her body relaxed and eyes rolled as she stretched, then covered her mouth as she yawned.
“Keith, I was sleep. Did you really come over here for that?”
He chuckled, taking her hand into his. “Yeah, I did. My flight just got in from Washington and this was my first stop. Leaving you was a mistake, Harmony.”
“Keith…”
He lifted his hand, cutting her off with, “Let me finish.”
Sitting back in her seat, Harmony nodded and crossed her arms over her chest. She couldn’t help but show physically how closed off she was to this conversation, but she would allow Keith to get it off his chest. As far as she was concerned, there wasn’t shit Keith or any other man could say to steal her away from Saint.
“You’re the best woman I’ve ever had. Like I said in my text, I took advantage of you. I didn’t appreciate you. Now that I haven’t had you, I’ve come to grips with just how good for me you were. I didn’t deserve you, baby, but I want to be the man that deserves you now. I’ve been seeing you posting about your new relationship on social media, but you can’t be that close to him to where you aren’t willing to give us another chance.”
“Let me stop you right there,” she interrupted quietly—calmly. “I’m in love with Saint, and I’m not leaving him for anyone… especially someone who told me I’m not fun or someone they consider a friend.” Keith’s eyes lifted toward the ceiling as he released a low huff. “I spent this evening eating and drinking wine while singing and dancing on Facebook, Keith. It was so much damn fun, and Saint had a blast too. He wasn’t concerned with how people would perceive him or how horrible we sounded. He just went with the flow, and we had a great time. It was spontaneous and just as fun as the thought out dates we have. Can you honestly say you and I had fun like that?”
