Chapter 24

24

E njell

I'd officially completed all meal prep orders for the week and had some down time. Next week, I'd start looking at buildings for Enjell's Heavenly Plates, though I'd probably end up changing the name since I'd be offering more. Tonight, the girls and I were going to have a paint and sip date, and tomorrow, I was doing brunch with Mama and Mrs. Jasmine. I wasn't sure what had happened between them since they met at the chili competition, but they'd been talking like crazy lately, and I loved that they got along so well. It made me hopeful that the holidays with our blended families would be beautiful.

I couldn't believe the change my life had taken in such a short time. All things took me right back to Dejvi. Having a flourishing business, getting ready to have a restaurant, now having a bigger friend circle, and most importantly, being loved properly. A smile overtook my face just at the thought of him. Now that we'd committed to each other, things were close to perfect. I didn't want to say they were perfect, because when that was the case, things often blew up in my face.

With him quitting, he was spending more time working on his businesses with his brother. We'd also started to look for buildings for his photography studio. I was glad he was taking his bucket list a bit more seriously. We were getting ready to take a trip to Italy since that was one of the things on the list. As of now, there was no set date, but it would be next month since that was said to be one of the best times to go in the fall.

Robin had been quiet lately, I supposed biding her time. It still was unbelievable that she'd go to such great lengths. I wasn't sure if it was obsession over what she wanted as far as a baby or if she'd always had a thing for Dejvi and thought this would be the start of their romantic relationship. Either way, I wasn't insecure and struggling with him deciding to randomly be with her and give her a baby one day.

"Love!" Dejvi called, voice booming down the hall.

"Hmm?"

"When is your lease up here?"

"January, why?"

"I don't like being here." As he entered my room, the scowl on his face made that evident. "The thought of you building a life that ended with that nigga still don't sit right with me."

I smiled and shifted my eyes back to my jewelry as I set out the pieces I wanted to wear tonight.

"I can understand that. I didn't really want to stay here, but it seemed like the best move financially because of the amount it would take to break the lease."

"Price aside, is there anything else tying you to this place?"

My head shook as I tilted my head for the kiss I knew was about to come now that he was closer. "Nope, that was it."

"Aight, so I'ma pay for you to break your lease."

"Oh… okay." Chuckling, I wrapped my arms around him. "Where exactly am I supposed to live?"

"We can get with Coop and let him find us a home. Or build us one. Do you have a preference?"

It took me a second to respond as he dropped a kiss to my nose.

"Um… I… have some things I'd like my home to have, but I don't really have a preference on if its built or not. You plan for this to happen sometime soon?"

"Yeah. The apartment was cool while I was spending half of my year at the station. That's no longer the case, so I need something bigger." His hands lowered to my ass, and he squeezed. "We might as well get something that can be our starter home."

My heart slowed down as I grinned. In the past, things like this with men would make my heart race. I used to think that was excitement and something good. My time with Dejvi had been teaching me peace was best. I wasn't na?ve enough to think we'd always be at peace and on good terms without disagreements, but when we were making decisions about our future, I should always have the confidence and faith that we were on the right path and that I could trust him with me.

"Something big enough for babies and puppies?"

His sexy smile spread before he kissed me. "As many as you want."

"You sure you ready to start planning for those types of commitments?"

"I've been ready since the day we met, baby. Soon… you'll believe that." He released me, and instantly, I felt the lack of his touch. "In the meantime, I want you out of here and in my apartment until we find our home."

I looked around the room I'd once shared with Gino as Dejvi walked out of it. I hadn't noticed until just now that he preferred the guest room over this one. The only time he'd lay in here was if he came over late and I was already in bed. It made me question the kind of thoughts he had as he lay with me. Did he think about my time here with another man? It didn't matter anymore, because from the looks of it, I'd be out of here soon…