“Are you taking that book up to Mimi?” My eyes spring open. An older woman with dark eyes and braids crosses in front of me, book in hand.
Another woman wearing a decorative head wrap reaches for it. “I was going to grab a coffee first.”
“I’ll take it,” I blurt out. Both women stare at me slack jawed. Their expressions shift once they register who I am.
“Maybe she doesn’t want to see you.” The woman with the braids says, thrusting her hand on her hip.
“She might not, but I have to at least try.” I look between the two women, who are making a silent decision between themselves. After what feels like forever, the older woman speaks.
“Fine. She’s on the third floor, right hand side, thequietsection. In the back.” She extends the book, and just as I’m about to take it, “but you better not do this shit to our girl again. Understand?”
I take the book and square my jaw. “If I do, I give you permission—both of you—to beat my ass.” I take off before I can get a reaction from them, but something tells me I left them with a smile.
The escalator can’t go fast enough. I use my legs, taking two steps at a time until I reach the third floor, then veer right toward Mimi’s location. It’s stone cold quiet in the room, save for my frantic footsteps beating against the tile. I head to the back corner of the room, eyes frantically searching for Mimi.
Then, I see her. The light shines in from the wall of windows making her look like an angel. Her glasses are perched on her nose, book in her lap, headphones secure in her ears. Her summer sundress shows off her curves and I’m falling for her all over again. With hesitant steps, I make my way toward her.
She doesn’t see me until I’m nearly at her side. She tugs at one ear bud, her mouth forming a perfect “o” shape. “Raiden,” she whispers. “What? I…thought you were…out.”
I kneel down next to her chair, taking her hands in mine. “Mimi I’ve been a total shit, and I’m sorry.”
“You’re just doing you.”
“That doesn’t make me feel any better.” Mimi doesn’t respond. “Listen, I came here to tell you something.” A nearby laptop user’s eyes flicker up toward us. My palms dampen, knowing there’s a leering audience nearby. But I don’t care, this has to be done. “You’re the one I want to impress, Mimi and I’ve done a horrible job.”
Mimi sets her book down and turns to me. “Raiden, don’t you see? You don’t have to impress me. I already think you’re amazing.”
“You do?”
“Duh,” She scoffs, and gives my bicep a squeeze. “But—and this pains me to say it—I’m not sure we’re compatible. I’m not going to be that trophy socialite woman you seem to want.”
“But that’s the thing, Mimi. I don’t want that. I want you. And I want you just like you are.”
Mimi’s eyes dance back and forth between my own. “You do? But, I can’t go out all the time. I recharge at home, alone.”
“Do you think you could recharge alone…with me? Because I’m ready to slow down, Mimi. My priorities are shifting, and I want to give us a chance. I think I could even...” I take a deep breath. “Mimi I could fall in love with you. In fact I think I already am.”
Mimi leans closer, her expression unreadable. “Raiden, I feel the same way.”
“If you give me another chance, I promise I’ll always prioritize you. I’ll give you space when you need it, and won’t pressure you to go anywhere.”
“From what I’ve read, and trust me it’s been a lot of romance books,” Mimi rolls her eyes in that playful way I’ve grown to love. “Relationships are about compromise. And I’m willing to step out of my comfort zone on occasion, too.” She points her finger in my face. “But do not leave me alone in the middle of a club again or I will have to break your fingers.”
A smile escapes my lips and I lean closer. “Deal.”
“Deal?”
I press my lips against hers, warm and soft. My heart swells and I know Mimi’s already on her way to making me a better man. I hope I can return the favor. “Deal.” The girl behind her laptop full-on smiles when Mimi stands and hugs me. “Now let’s get the hell out of here, and spend the entire day in our pajamas.”
“Will you make me more eggs?”
“Mimi, I’ll make you anything you want, but more than anything, I just want to make you happy.” Her smile lights up the room. I lean down once more and press my lips to hers, knowing in my heart they’ll be the last lips mine will ever touch.
Epilogue
Mimi
10 Years Later