Kev held his head down and started walking with the phone. “Yeah, I hear ya.”
I shook my head and mouthed, “He’s lying!” Kev put his finger to his lips to tell me to be quiet; even my whole expression changed. I was paranoid and started looking around like Jason was going to come around a corner any minute. I walked up to Kev and watched his motions as he talked.
He took his phone off speaker and put it to his ear. He listened to Jason talk but pulled me close to him to let me know I was protected. We stood there holding each other while Jason was on the other end of the phone, not knowing a thing.
“All right then, I’ll speak to you a little later, Jay.” Kev hurried to get off the phone and stood there holding me.
He looked down to the top of my forehead all squinched up and kissed me on it. He took his finger and rubbed the wrinkles I was making on my forehead. He then patted me on the back and said, “Loosen up. You don’t have a thing to worry about.” Kev held me and let me know I was fine.
“Kev, what do you think?” I was nervous; I thought Jason must have known something. “I mean, he callin’ you, actin like everything’s okay and stuff.” I pulled myself from Kev’s arms and started walking around the suite, closing up curtains and the balcony door.
Kev followed me, watching me and shaking his head. “Reese, sit down. He don’t know nothin’. I will protect you. I’m not afraid of Jason, not at all.” He went and sat down on the couch. “Come on, sit down, babe.” He patted the empty spot next to him.
I sat down beside him, and then leaned under his arm until I almost fell asleep.
Kev stayed there with me until he knew I was okay. He covered me with a blanket from the hotel room’s bed.
“Reese, I think I’m goin’ to get my own room, baby. You need your space. I’ll see you in the mornin’ okay?”
I sat up and pulled on his shirt to stay, but Kev stopped me. “Baby, I’ma go get me a room. I know we are engaged, but I will be your desire unto God and wait ’til I’m your husband. If we are going to start a new life together, then we are going to start it off right with a threesome: you, me, and God.”
I smiled and went back to sleep, after thanking God.
Chapter 22
The Ceremony
The next morning Kev surprised me. He knocked on the bathroom door while I was finishing putting on my makeup.
“Hey, beautiful,” he said when I opened the door.
“Hey, you,” I replied. “Give me a sec, Kev.” I walked back to the bathroom and finished with my face by adding some lip gloss.
“Take your time, beautiful. I’m not goin’ anywhere,” I heard him say. “You feeling better than you did last night? You all right?” He was concerned.
“Yes, I’m okay. I was just a little worried when he called,” I called out from the bathroom. “Everything is good, babe,” I added.
Kev came over to the bathroom door and stood. “I have a surprise for you this morning. How would you like to go down to the spa for a nice, long, intense massage?”
I listened while I touched up my makeup. I looked at myself in the mirror and smiled. “Yes! Let’s go!” I opened the door and I gave him a big hug.
Downstairs, as we lay side by side on the deluxe massage tables, I fought with remembering so much. I wanted to think about the future and forget the past but for some reason every time I closed my eyes my past appeared. I heard Kev calling me, so I opened my eyes.
“Baby, come on, we’re finished.”
I woke up, got off the table, and Kev handed me a glass of water while I put on my robe.
“Why don’t you go to the salon in the hotel and get yo’ hair done for this evening. I need to go handle some business while you do that, okay?” Kev offered.
“Where you goin’, Kev? I thought we were staying together.” I was scared to be left alone.
“Trust me.” He gave me a kiss, put his robe on, and walked out the massage room.
I went in the salon to get dolled up. I was actually excited about being there. They had everything there: a nail salon, hair salon, body waxing, and a makeup artist. I told the stylists and nail technicians about my knight in shining armor and it melted their hearts. All of them wanted to come to the ceremony and bring something since we were away from home.
I was sitting there getting my nails finished when Kev called and wanted to know what was taking so long, seeing hours had went by.
“Baby, you told me to get it together and that’s what I’m doing. Beauty takes time,” I answered.
“Well, you’re already beautiful. Come back upstairs. I miss you.”
“Aw, I miss you too. I’ll be there in a minute, okay?”
“Hurry up; I have a surprise for you.”
“What?” I hesitated, then put on a big grin. “What do you have for me?” I raised one of my eyebrows, displaying my interest and curiosity.
“Come and see,” Kev teased.
I hurried and finished up. I wanted to see what the surprise was, and moreover, I wanted to see Kev, so I hurried back upstairs.
Kev was waiting and watching football. He was screaming at the TV as if it could talk back to him. “Oh, come on, man! Where’s the defense?”
I laughed and opened the door. He was wearing a pair of jeans and a plain T-shirt. It was the first time in a long time I had seen Kev dressed so casual. Usually Kev stayed tailor made up. I looked down at his feet and even his shoes were off.
