Kaleem held my face with both hands. “Diana, breathe.” I sucked in a breath through my mouth and then released it through my nostrils. “Colin will get what’s coming to him.”
Leaning forward, I rested my forehead on his chest, and he started massaging my scalp. We stood like that until I looked up, and he kissed my forehead.
This man was my only source of peace right now.
“I’m proud of you for what you just did,” he said while caressing my cheek.
“It’s the least I could do, and hopefully, those groceries will last awhile. I’ll interview Jazmin tomorrow, and hopefully, she’ll be a good fit to work here.” I released him to start packing to leave. “We literally haven’t spoken to each other in years despite being in the same pack, but I know she’s a good mom or tries to be.”
“That’s why I love you,” Kaleem said while burying his hands in his pocket. “You care for others even when someone else in your position wouldn’t.”
But I was stuck on those three little words. It wasn’t something he’d said before, even though I already knew how he felt for me and the feelings were mutual. We were just finding our way back to each other, starting over basically, and when he realized what he’d said and the way I paused, he laughed.
“Don’t make it weird. You already knew,” he chuckled, and I shrugged, blushing.
“It’s always nice to hear,” I rebutted, and he arched a mischievous brow while moving to walk around the desk. “No, no,” I stopped him, knowing exactly what that hungry look in his eyes meant. “We’re not doing that—now. I need to get home because I promised Dad I’d cook tonight.”
Kaleem pulled a face and instead sat in my chair. “That’s fine. I actually came to ask you on a real date.”
“In town?” I asked, and he nodded.
“Yes, in town,” he replied while standing up and heading for the door. “Before you start to mention the what-ifs and buts, don’t. I want to treat you to a real date, something fancy, and you’ll let me.”
He opened the door and winked at me. “I’ll pick you up tomorrow at eight at Marian’s. Sounds good, gorgeous?”
“I mean, I don’t seem to have a say,” I laughed, and he nodded.
“Good girl, you don’t. I’ll see you tomorrow. I love the new hair. It’s sexy.”
He closed the door before I could say anything else, and like a fish out of water, I froze with my mouth hanging open. Laughing, I shook my head, my earlier irritation gone. Kaleem was a riot when he wanted to be, contrasting with his quiet demeanor.
I loved him. I did with my entire soul, and now I needed to get a dress.
How bad could a date be? Screw what other people would say. We wouldn’t be able to hide our relationship forever, so why not rip the band-aid off?