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He scratched his temple, head shaking softly as she continued. “He took me ice skating, and we fell more than we skated. We’ve gone to Korea, but we’ve also made fried bologna sandwiches for a picnic in the park. From one side of the spectrum to the other, Saint and I enjoy each other’s company. He’s invested in me, in us. I-I’m not giving that up.”
Keith massaged his temple, his exhale was long and hard as he stared at her. “How can you move on so quickly? Did you even love me for real?”
Harmony chuckled. “You know I did. If you didn’t, you wouldn’t be here. I treated you well, and every seed I planted in you, I’m getting that harvest of love back in Saint. Would I have liked to have gotten that from you? Of course, but you showed your love for me by letting me go and focusing on yourself, Keith. I promise you that was the right thing to do. You are in no position to be in a relationship right now. Focus on yourself.”
Harmony caressed his hand with her thumb, pleading with him with her eyes to accept her words as truth. They weren’t compatible enough for marriage, and she firmly believed that now. Even if she didn’t have a happily ever after with Saint, they were compatible enough for her to regain the confidence she’d lost while with Keith. Harmony had lost herself in that relationship and being with Saint was reminding her of her worth and all that she had to offer—hat she was the prize. Keith may not have intentionally devalued her place in his life, but the damage had been done, and there was no going back.
“Can we make a deal?” Keith offered, scooting even closer. “I’ll focus on myself, regain my health fully, enjoy my life a bit more to make sure I’m ready to settle down. If you’re single in a years’ time, we’ll give us a second chance.”
Harmony smiled softly, cupping his cheek. “Deal,” she agreed, though she knew neither of them would revisit this conversation a year from now. Keith wasn’t the kind of man to stay single for long.
“I’m sorry my health got in the way of us and that I couldn’t give you what you needed.”
“It wasn’t your health, Keith. I didn’t mind caring for you, nor did I mind not being able to have sex consistently. Punishing you for things that were beyond your control would have made me a monster. What I couldn’t accept was how neglected I felt while you were up and feeling good. One day soon, you’re gonna realize we reached our expiration date and breaking up was for the best. You’re going to find a woman that offers you the fun and excitement you need, and I won’t even be an afterthought.”
Keith’s head shook adamantly. “As good as you’ve been to me, I will never forget you, Harmony.”
Between his wet eyes and the sincerity in his voice, Harmony tugged her bottom lip between her teeth as she released a shaky breath.
“That means a lot to me, Keith,” she almost whispered. “Thank you.”
His eyes lowered to her lips and he licked his, but instead of trying to kiss them, he placed a kiss to her cheek. “I love you, Harmony, and I genuinely want you to be happy. I… I accept that that won’t be with me.”
“I love you too, Keith.”
He stood and placed a kiss on the top of her head before letting himself out. Instead of immediately going to lock the door, Harmony sat there for a while and processed their conversation. For a brief moment, Harmony allowed herself to consider life with Keith instead of Saint. Her heart grew heavy at the thought of prioritizing a man who didn’t return the same, being in a partnership with someone who had an individualistic mindset. While she’d never speak negatively about Keith to anyone, even herself, Harmony couldn’t deny how much of an upgrade Saint had been to her. With that thought in her mind and heart, she stood and locked up before going back to her bedroom.
Saint was still snoring softly on her side of the bed. Harmony snickered and shook her head as she tried to push him over gently. When that didn’t work, she went to his side and laid down. He had the fan going, so she cut it off, and it only took a few minutes for him to get hot and wake up. Saint’s body lifted quickly, and Harmony was sure he was looking down at her in the darkness.
“How I get on this side of the bed?”
She laughed. “You always sleep on top of me, and when I got out of the bed you rolled all the way over onto my side, so I got on yours.”
“Let’s switch so I can cut the fan back on. It’s hot as hell in here.”
When Harmony scooted over, Saint hovered over her, keeping her in place with a hand on her waist.
“Who was at the door?”
“Keith.”
A few seconds of silence passed before he asked, “The fuck he want?”
She chuckled. “Me.”
“But you made it clear he can’t have you, right?”
“Of course.”
“Good, ’cause I been doin’ good. I ain’t tryna catch no case over yo’ ass, but I will.”
As serious as Saint sounded, Harmony couldn’t help but laugh and wrap her arms around his neck. “As sexy as the idea of you going to war behind me sounds, there’s no need. I don’t want anyone else but you, Saint Knowles. I promise.”
Saint lowered his lips to hers, less concerned about the heat in the room and more concerned about the heat pouring from between her legs…
ChapterTwenty-Eight
Saint
