24. Harlem #2
“Well, I want you to know that I got you. You’re not on this journey by yourself, and we’ll hire the staff that you need to make sure that it’s a success.
I’ve got two consultants that our family uses for business expansion on standby.
They’re ready to dive into the projects that you’ve got going on and help you create a plan for a successful launch and to make sure that you keep on the right path after the launch. ”
“Aww, that’s so sweet. I was thinking that maybe the online orders won’t be a problem because we can take them right along with the in-store orders. We’ll have to have a system to differentiate the two.”
“And you can contract a service that will pick up and ship them for you, so that’s one thing that’s not on your plate.”
She bobbed her head as she chewed her food thoughtfully. We talked some more about our businesses, and I informed her that with all she had going on, I also wanted her input on a project that I was doing.
“What’s that?”
“I’m working on having a house built that I want to sell when it finishes. As far as the tile work, countertops, backsplash, and the other cosmetic features, I thought that I would get your feedback on it. It’s always good to have a woman’s touch in a house.”
“Why are you constructing it to sell?”
“It’s part of a new initiative I’m trying out.
I told you that my long-term plan is to get more into real estate development like Pop-Pop did.
I really want to pull back from the shop and focus more on what I can do in that arena.
I’m thinking about housing developments.
If this construction goes as planned, I want to work with some boys I know to make big money moves.
One is a guy who I’ve known for a minute; he was the brother of a friend of mine, and he owns a construction firm. His name is Judah St. Charles.
“The other guy I met through networking, and he’s a partner at an architectural firm. His name is Legend Waters, and then there’s Eli. You know that he’s a venture capitalist. I think that the four of us can make mountains move.”
“Baby, I support you if that’s what you want to do. I mean, the sky’s the limit, and the way you’re always thinking two and three steps ahead and not focusing all your money on one stream of income, I love it. What are you thinking about doing with the shop?”
“That’s always gonna be there. It’s not going anywhere, because that’s what started my journey; it’s a part of who I am. I’m gonna offer Raque the manager position though.”
“That’s wassup. She deserves it, and I know she’ll be excited.”
We finished eating and then had dessert before we all walked down the beach toward the water as a group.
The excitement for the fireworks show was palpable, and we all talked loudly, excited for what was to come.
We met up with six other people we had been kicking it with since being on the island.
They were going to take a boat ride with us tonight.
I held a bottle of champagne in one hand and Baby’s sandals in my other hand. She had taken her shoes off before we left the table and dug her feet in the sand, because she loved the coolness of it between her toes.
A few minutes later, we all boarded the sixty-foot catamaran that I had rented for tonight’s excursion. We pulled out the champagne, and hors d’oeuvres and charcuterie boards were set out by the crew for our refreshment.
We spent the next twenty minutes talking and laughing as we floated out to the middle of the water. When the fireworks started, everyone cuddled up in pairs to enjoy the entertainment. I cast a glance at EJ and my sister, as did CJ, but I eventually left it alone.
It wasn’t about them tonight, and Baby was right. If anyone had given me hell behind getting with her, I would’ve sent them straight to hell. I decided to chill, enjoy the night, and trust my sister and EJ to be responsible with their lives.
The excitement in the air was contagious, and there were smaller boats near us with people celebrating as the sky lit up with beautiful colors. The loud explosions caused some people to shout, “Wheeew!”
Baby and I stood from the bench seats and walked to the rail where I pulled her into my embrace. Our siblings and friends stayed back just a little but not too far.
The next set of sparks that lit up the night were all in pink and yellow, Baby’s favorite colors. Slowly, each spark formed a large letter, and the letters turned into words because the fireworks didn’t disappear right away.
“Look, bae! It’s spelling something.” She pointed at the sky.
My hands were clammy, my heart pounded in my chest, and my tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth. Never had I ever been afraid of expressing my feelings. Tonight, I was terrified of everything, mostly Baby’s reaction.
We hadn’t known each other for long, and our relationship had moved at lightning speed in some ways. Yet, in spite of all that, I couldn’t help but take the risk. I knew this woman was meant for me, and I would be a damn fool to pass up the opportunity to claim her.
I released her, but she was so focused on what the message said that she didn’t notice. Our siblings, friends, and some of the other people we had met since being on the island were all focused on us and not the display itself.
“Will. You. Marry. Me. Tegan? Huh? Baby, I—” She spun around with large, bright eyes to see me kneeling behind her with the ring box in my hand. “Is this for real, Harlem?”
“Yeah, Baby. It’s been seven months since we met and started dating.
It didn’t take that long for me to realize that you are my soulmate.
I think I first knew you were the one for me when we ordered the same coffee and breakfast Danish.
I was even more assured the day that I saw you arguing with Evan.
“When you turned to me in fear during the storm, and I held you in my arms, that’s when I knew that I would never let you go.
I never wanted to travel another day or through another storm without you by my side.
Tegan Josephine Ingram, I don’t want to leave this island without you agreeing to be my wife, take my name, bear my seed, and grow this empire with me. Will you marry me?”
Baby jumped up and down and screamed, “Yes! Yes, Harlem Sterling Knox, I will marry you, and I will do all those things!”
My heart squeezed tightly in my chest, and I exhaled. Her words had erased every doubt and fear that I had about whether it was too soon, if I was good enough for her, and if she was as serious about me as I was about her.
When she calmed down, Baby extended her hand so that I could place the ring on her finger. The round, brilliant center stone was wrapped in a floral design of opulent pavé-set diamonds. Her eyes were growing wetter when she looked from the ring to me, and within seconds the tears spilled over.
“Did you purposely ruin my outfit earlier tonight so that I would wear this dress?”
I smirked and replied, “Guilty as charged, and I had so much fun doing it.”
“Oh, baby, I love you so much!” she exclaimed. She threw her arms around my neck and kissed me deeply. Someone popped a bottle of champagne, someone else passed around glasses, and someone from a nearby boat shouted, “Look! She said yes.”
Cheers went up all around us and on the beach. Our family and friends came over to congratulate us, but the cheers and fireworks paled in comparison to the pyrotechnics display that was going off in my heart.
I felt like the luckiest man in the world. Not only had I gained my second chance at success, but I also had the perfect woman for me prepared to navigate this journey of life with me.