There was no way I couldn’t with her.
“Yes, ma’am. He’s legit my man now.” I winked. We both walked swiftly to our gate.
“How the hell did that happen, big sis? And does he have a brother? Please say he does.”
“Listen. All I have to say is when a man wants to, he will. Dre was ready, is all I can say. He does have brothers, but they don’t live here.”
“Damn, that’s what’s up. You put it on him, didn’t you? I love it for you, sis, but uhhhh,… when y’all have that wedding, I’mma need you to make sure you introduce me, okay?” Chanel talked a mile a minute.
“I’ll see what I can do, baby boo. Come on so we won’t be late.” I laughed and picked up my pace so we could get settled in on the plane in time.
Running into her made me feel a little better, but not for long. My stomach was in knots, and overall, I felt sick to my stomach, not knowing if Dre and I could bounce back from that. I knew I would have to make an adjustment to my schedule, and soon. The hyper independence in me hated it. All of this was uncharted territory. Why did it make me feel like I was losing something instead of gaining everything I’d ever wanted?
Our conversationfrom a couple of days prior replayed in my mind over and over. It wasn’t her fault. It was the fucking job. I knew we were great together, and I wasn’t about to lose that. It still didn’t excuse the fact that I was frustrated our weekend ended on the note that it did.
But in order to keep myself in check and not let my emotions get the best of me, I’d left the room. In that moment, I didn’t care that I wouldn’t be there to walk her out. The only thing I cared about was getting out of sight so I could process my thoughts alone.
I knew we both had busy schedules, but like I’d told her before, I was ready to slow down in life. Lyra texted me to let me know she’d made it back to Atlanta. Outside of that, we hadn’tbeen in contact much since I left her in the room at the resort. I had flowers and a few gifts delivered to her place, but she never texted or called to let me know she got them. She knew how to deprive a nigga. That was fasho. I took my phone out while I sat at my desk in my office and called her.
“Hell—”
“Listen, we gotta nail some shit down, beautiful.”
“I agree, baby. I haven’t been avoiding you. I just wanted to give you some space. Where are you now?”
“I’m at my office.”
“Send me the address.”
“Aight. Be careful.”
I put my phone down on the desk and stood. I had a Cohiba cigar from earlier, and it was the perfect time for me to finish it. I paced back and forth while I waited for Lyra. She couldn’t get there fast enough.
A few moments later, she arrived. A white bodysuit, fitted black joggers, and some kind of designer heels adorned her body as she confidently strutted through the door.
“Dre?” She pouted.
I closed in on her, wrapped my arms around her petite but lengthy frame, and picked her up. I pecked her lips and headed down the hallway and into my office.
“I’m sorry about work, baby. I’m go?—”
“Don’t apologize.” I put a finger to her lips. “You don’t have shit to apologize for. I’m sorry for not being considerate of you. You got me in so deep with you already, I damn near can’t think straight. I love you, and I want you put up like the queen that you are. But I know that won’t happen right now.”
“Dre, what makes you think that?”
“Are you going to quit your job right now?”
“At this moment, I can’t.”
“Exactly. I don’t expect you to. You’re strong-minded and ambitious. I never want to take that away from you. Shit, that’s just one reason you got me wrapped up in you now, Lyra.”
Her lips curved into a smile, and she softened.
“I’ve been thinking a lot over the last few days, and I’ve decided to step back a bit in the business. I’ll delegate the bulk of the work between my partner, who’s been with me a few years now, and my younger brother, Dru. That way, I’ll be more accessible to you since you don’t have a set-in-stone schedule.”
She looked at me and shook her head.
“You’d do that for me?”
