33. Dream
T he late afternoon sun poured through the sliding door behind me in my dining room, casting soft orange hues across the smooth surface of the glass table. I cradled Donta in my arms, his little teddy bear pajamas warm and soft against my skin. He was already dozing off, his tiny fingers gripping the edge of my shirt as I gently rocked him.
In front of me, Mia’s hot pink MacBook glowed with images of a breathtaking beach house in Thailand. The villa looked like something straight out of a dream—sprawling and luxurious, with white walls and open spaces that let in the ocean breeze.
The house sat directly on the beach, its infinity pool stretching out toward the turquoise waters. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows gave panoramic views of the shoreline, and the interior was a perfect mix of modern and tropical design —neutral tones, natural wood finishes, and elegant furniture. The kitchen looked like it belonged on a cooking show, with marble counters and state-of-the-art appliances. Upstairs, the master bedroom had a wraparound balcony with a seating area overlooking the ocean, perfect for peaceful mornings or quiet nights.
It was beautiful, almost too perfect.
“So, what do you think?” Mia asked, her voice breaking my thoughts.
“It’s stunning,” I said, adjusting Donta in my arms as I continued to scroll through the photos of the area.
Mia and I hadn’t spoken much since the days of the reality show, but she was easy to talk to. It made sense, considering how close she was to Damier. She understood him better than most people did, and I respected that about her.
As I stared at the screen, I hesitated before speaking again. “Can I ask you something?”
“Of course,” Mia said, her tone warm.
“Do you think…” I trailed off, my voice lowering. “Do you think Damier feels some kind of way about me wanting to go to Thailand? I mean, taking Donta, who isn’t biologically mine, and just… leaving like this?”
Mia tilted her head, her expression thoughtful. “No, I don’t think so. And if he did, he’d tell you. You know that about him.”
“I guess,” I said softly. “I just feel like I’m overstepping or being selfish. Yes, we are engaged, but have I earned this right? Am I asking for something too big?”
Mia shook her head. “Don’t look at it like that. You’re not just his fiancée—you’re his peace. He gets that. And trust me, he wouldn’t let you do this if he didn’t want you to.”
I sighed, her words giving me a little reassurance. “You’re right. I guess I’m just overthinking.”
“You are,” Mia said with a small smile. “But that’s okay. You’ve been through a lot. Give yourself some grace. Besides, you will only be gone for a few months. I would love to spend my pregnancy on a beach if I was pregnant.”
The sound of the sliding glass door opening pulled both our attention. Damier stepped in, his tall frame taking up the space, comforting me. He was dressed casually, his usual effortless style—black joggers and a fitted t-shirt that hugged his body perfectly.
“Sorry to interrupt,” he said, his deep voice cutting through the quiet. “I was out front talking to Hocus, and then I remembered something.”
He reached into his pocket, grabbing something I couldn’t see.
“What’s that?” I asked, curious.
He smirked as he approached me, sliding into the chair beside mine. “Your engagement ring,” he said simply, holding up the delicate diamond band I’d left in my car.
My heart skipped as he gently took my hand, sliding the ring back onto my finger like he was proposing all over again. He kissed my hand softly, his lips brushing against my skin in a way that sent warmth through my chest.
“You didn’t have to do that,” I said, smiling as I looked at the ring.
“I wanted to,” he replied, his voice low but firm.
Mia grinned, watching us with a knowing look. “You two are so cute. Dream, you’re definitely his soulmate. It’s obvious.”
I blushed, glancing at her before turning back to Damier. “You hear that?” I teased.
He chuckled, leaning back in his chair. “I’ve been knowing that,” he said, his voice full of confidence.
Mia closed her laptop and gathered her things. “I’ll get the paperwork finalized for the villa, and I’ll meet you in a couple of days to go over the final details. You two are in good hands.”
“Thanks, Mia,” I said sincerely.
“Anytime,” she replied, giving me a small wave as she headed out.
As the door closed behind her, Damier turned to me, his expression soft but serious. “You know I can’t stay in Thailand the whole time,” he said. “But I’ll be there a few times a month, as much as I can. And I’m going to have security watching over you and Donta the entire time. You’ll be safe. I got you.”
I nodded, already knowing this was the best arrangement we could make. “I’m okay with that,” I said softly. “As long as you’re okay with it.”
He reached for my hand again, his thumb brushing over the ring on my finger. “Whatever makes you happy, Imani. That’s all I care about.”
Damn, I loved this man. I felt like happiness was within reach again for us.