My heart constricted, I wasn’t ready to respond.
“Just think about it.”
I pouted my lips like a child. “Okay.”
There was silence.
“So what are you going to name him?” Azmir quizzed, breaking the awkward place we had somehow found ourselves in.
Hmmmmmm... “I don't know yet.” I sat and quickly pondered.
He kissed me gently on the forehead before lifting my back on the floor and rising.
“I have to skate, Ms. Brimm.”
I frowned. “You're not staying? But I bought you tacos.” I was disappointed.
“Nah. Ray’s out waiting for me,” he murmured while drawing me into him, interrupting my view of the pooch as he pawed at the key to Azmir's apartment.
I had to ask, “Do you want your key back while I think about it?”
He shook his head no as he looked down to me. I hope I hadn't screwed up again. I just needed to take things slow and figure myself out after recent events.
“I wish you could stay,” I admitted.
“I have a few things to tend to. Besides, if I stay, you're going to have to come up with a convincing explanation to your doctor as to why you didn't keep her orders,” he warned clenching his jaws. Damn!
He lowered his lips to mine and gave me the warmest oral embrace. He was so passionate and tender that I honestly lost my balance. Per usual. Good thing he had his arms wrapped around me.
~~~~~~~~~~
Azmir
As I'm pulling away from Rayna's home, I’m pensive. I bought her the dog for companionship, but truth be told I'd rather have her staying with me. Considering the letter Michelle wrote, it seemed befitting. I mean, what in the hell is she doing there alone anyway? If she shot me down she at least would have some form of life there. She didn't seem too keen on the idea, but I can be persuasive in my pursuit.
I was in a business dinner when my phone went off alerting me of a text. It's Rayna.
Is this pity for the miscarriage? Azmir, I'm really okay. It's life and unfortunately my reality.
What in the hell... Why would she assume I pitied her? I asked her to move in with me not offered her free GYN services.
My dearest Ms. Brimm, if it were about the loss of OUR unborn child who would be pitied,you or me? I responded, in a riddling mode.
I just don't want to jump into anything for the wrong reasons. You just got out of a relationship. I don't want to be the cause of your obligation to getting into another.
That would be plausible if I lived with my ex. This is something entirely different. I want to share a life with you. Is that too hard a concept? Where was she going with this? Why was she making it so difficult?
Azna.
My forehead wrinkled. What in the hell is an Azna?
? Was my reply. I was totally lost.
I named the pooch Azna. Azmir+Rayna=Azna. Alpha and Omega. she replied.
Hmmmmm...beginning and the end. Was there some subliminal message? I didn't ask...just buoyantly believed that there was.
“Mr. Jacobs...?” I heard someone trying to regain my attention. My head rose in attention.
“Are you amenable to the terms we’ve agreed upon?”
A slight smirk breaks on my face as I realize I'd just bought yet another company. This one was small...only three hundred and sixty employees, but larger than the one we acquired last week. My partner, Richard Roberson, is unrivaled at the game of business mergers, acquisition, and liquidation. He’d been on the radar for nearly six years and we’ve been partnering for three. He has a slight understanding in the history of my rise and was willing to take a risk with me. He'd been mentoring me and poising me for my next level of success. I've been easing my way out of the drug game. It hadn’t been the most simplistic of tasks but this new venture has fueled my motivation.