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His cousins jumped and looked at him like he was crazy.
Luke paced the wooden porch. “Ashanti means everything to me. Even before I admitted I had feelings for her, she was the only woman I wanted to spend time with. The only one that made me happy just by seeing her smile.”
“Luke…”
“She’s the first person I want to tell when something good or bad happens. My entire life… it’s always been her. And I ruined it.”
“First, you need to calm down,” Harold said, his eyes tracking Luke’s journey from one end of the verandah to the other.
“I can’t lose her, guys. I can’t.”
James made a face. “Luke… are you drunk?”
“Maybe this much.” He held up his fingers.
Harold snorted. “You poor thing. If only you had the guts to be that upfront while sober.”
“Why can’t he?” James demanded.
Harold shrugged.
“It… sounds like you have an idea,” Luke said hopefully.
“Try telling her everything you just told us.” James stroked his chin. “Show her she was your first love. Before Michelle. Or any other girl. Even though you didn’t know it was love at the time.”
“Yeah.” Harold got to his feet. “That’s a great idea!”
“Make a collage or a video of all your best moments. Girls like cheesy crap like that.”
“We do have a ton of pictures,” Luke said slowly, catching on to the idea.
“You could wear a tux and everything.” Harold pointed out. “Make it classy.”
“Do it at the café after lock up. Make her feel special. Like you bought out the entire restaurant for her even though it’ll just be after closing and you basically own the restaurant.” James laughed.
Luke’s head bobbed. “You’re both geniuses!”
Harold thrust his beer high. “To Luke and Ashanti!”
“Cheers!”
Luke woke with a start. A thick foot was pressed against his cheek and someone snored in his ear. He sat up. James’s face rolled away from his. Harold snorted on his side.
When had he fallen asleep?
Why had they moved to the living room?
Luke massaged his aching head and sat up. Empty beer bottles littered the room and marked a trail to the coffee table that had been pushed against the wall. A laptop rested on it, lid up.
Confused, Luke tried to figure out what had happened after they clinked bottles the night before, but his bladder warned that it was about to explode. He darted to the bathroom.
After washing his hands, Luke returned to James’s living room. His gaze fell on his cousins who were both sleeping on the floor, arms sprawled out and mouths hanging open.
He chuckled softly and headed to the kitchen for a glass of water. On his way, Luke bumped into the coffee table and the laptop burst to life. Music filled the room, a sleek R&B number. Ashanti’s favorite.
Luke froze and stared as a picture of him and Ashanti rolled on the screen. They were standing close together. Ashanti had her arms thrown around his waist. It was the first college party she’d ever dragged him to and he’d been less than pleased to attend.
Luke was scowling at the camera while Ashanti was smiling prettily.
