The Boy Is Mine - The Finale (BWWM Romance) Page 8

  “I’ve been looking all over for you two,” Nicole exclaimed.

  “I can’t believe you tricked us like that. That was so mean,” I said to Nicole.

  “I know but it was so fun.”

  “Please tell me that you’re staying for a week, too.” Jasmine said.

  “I am. I made sure that I had all of my ducks in a row before I headed out. I still have to answer some calls here and there but I don’t mind.”

  “I just can’t believe you’re here. Let’s go to the bar and get some real drinks,” I suggested.

  The three of us sat at the bar and caught up. I love Jasmine but there is nothing like the feeling that I get when I have the both of my friends with me. I wished that I spent more time appreciating the time that we had together before life got in the way.

  “So you’re never moving back?” I asked Nicole.

  “I don’t think so. I may visit but I’m in love with Paris. I never thought I would say this but it feels like home. All of you should come visit us for a week. You’ll love it, too.”

  “Girl, the last time I was there, I ended up starting a sexual relationship. I blame it on the wine.”

  “Don’t blame it on the wine,” Nicole said, “It only pushed you to do exactly what you wanted in the first place. You and Michael play entirely too much. Just get married already. Then the three of us can be married, then, it will be time for us to have kids. Then we can be the new real housewives of Atlanta. The hot version. ”

  “I’m not thinking about any of that right now. I’m focused on my career. The rest of that crap will come later.”

  I knew I was lying as soon as I said it. Tomorrow, I wouldn’t have a boyfriend; I would only have a career. I knew that it was for the best but I hated that my life had turned out that way. I vowed to give the next good man that I came across in my life a fair chance.

  The evening went by seamlessly and I was really impressed with Michael. I knew his new bar was going to be a huge hit. I was proud of him and I wished him nothing but success. At that moment, I wondered if Jasmine would be upset if I moved. I wasn’t sure if I could stay in Atlanta anymore. I needed to meet new men, expand my business and start over.

  Hearing Michael on the Microphone jarred me from me from my thoughts.

  He cleared his throat; “I just want to thank everyone for coming out and celebrating with me. I want this to be the hottest bar Atlanta has ever experienced.”

  “It already is!” A woman screamed from the crowd and everyone started to cheer.

  “Thank you so much. I plan on keeping it that way. But I have to say that none of this would be possible without the woman that has inspired me more than I’ve ever felt was possible.”

  My heart felt like it was going to beat out of my chest as he pulled the mic from the stand and walked towards me. I was still seated between my friends at the bar. I turned around completely on the stool and he stood in front of me.

  “It’s been so much hard work trying to get this place up and running but she’s kept me going and sane. She’s put up with me through this mess and believe me you guys, it’s been crazy.”

  The crowd gave a slight chuckle. I was stunned. I looked at my friends who had idiotic grins on their faces. Michael placed his hand gently on my chin and brought my attention back to him.

  He stared at me directly, “For the first time in a long time, I’ve felt true love once again. I want to let everyone know how I feel and make it official.” He dropped down to one knee and I shook my head quickly as tears streamed down my face.

  “Patrice Williams, will you do me the honor of being my wife?”

  The room was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop. I’d envisioned this moment of my life for as long as I could remember. I always imagined what it would feel like. I thought that I would feel joy, nervousness and a little bit of anxiety. I was sure that when it finally happened it would be amazing but this is the real world. Nothing ever turns out like it does in the movies.

  There were no feelings of joy. The only feeling that I could access was anger. How dare he propose to me when he was harboring such a huge secret? When did he plan on telling me? After we were fucking married?

  I shook my head, “Are you kidding me? You’re such a liar and I can’t believe you.” I got up from the stool and pushed my way through the crowd amongst all the gasps and gossip. I couldn’t get out of the bar fast enough.

  I quickly walked down the street and tried to fish my phone from my purse to call Lenny or a cab. I wanted to disappear.

  “Patrice!” I heard Nicole yell, “Stop!”

  I stopped in my tracks and turned to face her, “What?”

  “What in the hell is wrong with you? Did I miss something?”

  “Yes you missed something! You’ve missed everything!” I sobbed.

  “Aww come here,” Nicole said before she brought me into a hug.

  I cried uncontrollably for what felt like forever. My entire body shook.

  “I need you to breathe,” Nicole said as she rubbed my back.

  I took her advice and tried to catch my breath, “I’m so sorry, I’ve ruined your beautiful dress.”

  “That’s okay, it’s only borrowed and cost $6,000 pounds.”

  “Holy shit!”

  “That’s okay, I’ll get it dry cleaned. Now tell me what’s going on.”

  We walked to a bar down the street and sat. I told her everything from the beginning to the end.

  “I’m so sorry things have been that way for you. I wish you would’ve told me. You know that I’m the queen of dealing with drama,” Nicole said.

  “I know, but I didn’t want to bother you.”

  “Oh please, you’re never a bother to me. I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen you cry.”

  “You would be surprised. I’ve turned into a crybaby like you.”

  “Oh shut up,” she laughed, “But seriously, you need to talk to Michael about it. Never in a million years did I think him and Maggie had something going on. You owe it to yourself to talk.”

  I sighed, “You’re right, but it won’t be tonight. You go on back to the party and enjoy yourself. I’m going home. Let’s catch up in the morning.”

  “You sure?”

  “I’m very sure. I need some time to think.”

  “Okay, I love you.”

  “I love you, too. I’m happy that you’re here.”

  *

  The cab dropped me off at home and I saw Michael sitting on my doorsteps.

  “I don’t know why I thought that I could get a moment of peace,” I said when I walked past him on the stairs and opened the door to my house.

  “What is going on with you? Why don’t you want to marry me?” He asked with a pained expression.

  “I know everything Michael. I know everything what you refused to tell me and I think it’s pathetic.”

  “What are you talking about…”

  “Stop lying! I saw Maggie yesterday; she told me everything.”

  His face dropped as he walked over to me, “Please, I can explain if you just give me a chance.”

  “I’m done with chances. I’ve given you more than enough of them. Just get out.”

  “No, we’re not done. I wanted to see if the child was mine before I brought any of that crap to you. If the baby is mine, then I’ll be in her life and I would’ve let you know for sure. If not, then I just wanted to move on. I didn't see why you needed to know that part just yet.”

  “So you thought that proposing to me first was a good idea?”

  He ran a hand down his face and he looked frustrated. It would have been cute if I didn’t want to kick him. “I’ll admit that it was a bad idea to propose to you first. I just couldn’t stand the thought of losing you. I hoped that if we were engaged, you would stay. I want you on this journey with me, Patrice. I don’t want to live my life without you. I just wanted to make my perfect night, more perfect.”

  I closed my eyes as tears escaped them. Hi
s words went straight to the center of my being; I could hear the sincerity in them.

  “I’m going to need some time to think about it,” I said.

  “I just wanted to let you know that I saw Maggie this morning before her flight. I’m going to New York tomorrow to get a paternity test.”

  “Then you don’t need to make any rash decisions before you know what’s happening.”

  “But I know what I want...”

  “See and that’s the thing. I don’t know what I want. I deserve to have some time to think about it. Get your paternity test and let me know the results. We can speak then. I need some time alone.”

  “Can I stay?”

  “Michael…”

  “Okay, I’ll go. I have to head back to the bar to close it up. My feelings for you aren’t going to change. I want to be with you forever.”

  “I’ll talk to you later.”

  He looked defeated and it broke my heart to watch him leave but I was doing this for the greater good. I wanted to say yes but I needed to know what I was getting myself into first. Baby mama drama really is not my style.

  #Chapter11

  “I got the results.”

  Michael

  The following days were torturous. It was full of tears and I was grateful that I had Nicole and Jasmine with me. Nicole stayed with me most of the time since Kenneth was busy with the bar. She even connected me with her fashion house and three of my models were booked for go-sees the next month. I do love Nicole and I wish she didn't have to leave again soon.

  “You know it won’t hurt you to talk about it,” Nicole said.

  “I’m trying to forget,” I said as I drained my glass of wine.

  “Drinking won’t solve anything.”

  “Really? The wine queen is judging me? Remember how many bottles we went through when you and Kenneth were having yet another drama?”

  “I’m not judging you. I’m just saying that I love you enough to be honest with you.”

  “What if that baby is his? Everything within me is telling me that it is.”

  “Okay, what if it is?” Nicole countered, “Does that change how you feel?”

  “It doesn’t change how I feel but it changes the situation. He also lied about it.”

  “He made a mistake and he made the mistake because he didn’t want to lose you. He loves you.”

  “So I should just let him treat me however he wants because he loves me?”

  Nicole gave me the death stare, “You know that’s not what I mean. I’m saying that you have to extend grace to the people that you love. We’re human; we make mistakes. What matters is how you deal with those mistakes. Michael is trying to fix this and you should let him. Men like him don’t come a dime a dozen.”

  “I don’t know…”

  “Tell your head to quiet down a little and listen to your heart. I know that you love that man and you know it to. Really think about what you want. Sometimes we have to overlook a person’s faults to get what we want. Is he worth it? Can you see a future with him?”

  I sighed, “If that baby is his, I don’t think I can do it. I don’t want to deal with Maggie’s crazy ass or her drama.”

  “But some things are worth fighting for. Don’t make these decisions lightly. You have a lot to think about.”

  “I’m going to need more wine to think about it.”

  “You fuckin’ lush,” Nicole laughed as she poured me another glass.

  *

  The following Saturday Nicole knocked on my bedroom door, “Rise and shine Tricey-Poo, someone’s at the door for you. Also. we leave for the airport in a couple of hours so get up.”

  I groaned as I stretched and headed for the door. Michael was sitting on my couch. My hands instinctively went to my hair and I smoothed it down.

  “What are you doing here?”

  He stood, “I got the results.”

  My stomach plummeted. I wasn’t ready to hear it but I didn’t have a choice, “Okay…”

  “She's mine. Arrin is my daughter.”

  I shook my head, “I knew it.”

  “Have you given any thought to us?”

  “I’ve thought about it.”

  “Do you need more time?”

  I closed my eyes to keep from looking at him. I still hadn’t made up my mind. My head and heart were at war. I spent my entire life listening to my head and it had left me lonely. I finally started to listen to my heart with Michael and it left me hurt. Both options sucked.

  “I don’t know Michael. I’ll call you when I’m sure.”

  “Okay, I’m going to wait for as long as it takes. I want you and only you,” he said before he walked towards the door.

  Then it hit me. What in the hell was I doing? I was about to let the best thing that ever happened to me walk out of the door. I knew that I would regret it if I didn’t stop him. Before his hand touched the doorknob I said, “Never keep things from me again. As your future wife, I expect full transparency.”

  He turned to me quickly, “I promise, if you give me another chance this won’t happen again.” I grinned as he understood the full meaning of my words. A look of joy crossed his face when he realized that. “You’re going to marry me?”

  “Yes Michael, I’ll marry you.”

  I nodded my head quickly and he closed the space between us. He scooped me in his arms and his lips covered mine.

  I’d finally gotten what I wanted: the boy was mine.

  .

  Epilogue

  5 Years Later....

  I felt content as I looked out of the window of the restaurant.

  Seeing all of the people rushing by the window and watching the cab drivers flip each other off makes me feel at peace. It’s a beautiful sight. I love New York; it has always felt like home to me. My brother Kenneth can take it or leave it but here is where I belong.

  New York is a beautiful place but nothing is as beautiful as seeing my lovely wife sitting across from me. Her beautiful milk chocolate skin is glowing even more than usual. She has that pregnancy glow that I love so much, in less than two months we will get to meet our boy.

  “Michael, are you listening to me?” Patrice says.

  “Of course I am, babe.”

  “No you’re not. You’re giving me that stare again.”

  “What stare?”

  “That ‘I love you so much’ stare.”

  “And that’s a bad thing?”

  “Of course it isn’t a bad thing. I just wanted to know how things are going with that Kyle guy. Is he okay with your new idea?”

  “Oh yeah, he loved it. He’s going to implement my new chain of restaurants next year. He’s also going to use the new systems.”

  “That’s awesome!”

  It’s hard to believe that five years ago I’d just opened my first bar in Atlanta. I thought that’s where I would live. But when I found out that Arrin was mine, I spent way too much time going back and forth. My bar thrived and grew to about four chains in less than two years but I needed a buyer. I didn’t have the time or energy to devote to it.

  Then Patrice got an offer that she couldn’t refuse from a top modeling agency in New York. They wanted to bring her in to head their new “in-between” department. I know there’s a name for it, but I don’t remember.

  I was looking for a buyer for my chain and someone who went by the name of Kyle Kane approached me. I had never heard of him before but he’s some big shot billionaire and he snatched up my restaurants for 15 million dollars. I happily handed them over. He gave me way more money than what they were worth in my opinion, but I’m not complaining. And, Kyle loved what I did with my restaurants, so he brought me aboard his team as his exclusive consultant. I do a lot of travel but New York is our home.

  Maggie is still as crazy as ever. She’s resentful I pushed the issue with my daughter but I don’t regret it. She and her husband are still together but they’re having some problems. Patrice takes it all in stride. She loves my daughter and trea
ts her very well. I’m a very lucky man.

  Patrice got up from her seat and kissed me on the cheek and then the lips.

  “Whoa you’re showing affection outside? Is this the time or place?” I teased.

  “Well, when you’re in love, it’s always the time and place.”