Chapter 18
I smiled as I keyed in my reports of the patients I saw today.
Since I started working at TYP, I have loved every minute.
The staff was a great group of people, and I felt like I belonged there.
It was two days before Christmas, and we had a half day.
Although I loved working here, I was ready to be off already.
I was ready to spend time with the love of my life.
Nash hadn’t let me know what he had planned, but I was down for whatever.
My cell phone rang as I wrapped up the reports. I pulled it out of my lab coat and eyed the name on the screen. With a smile, I answered it.
“Hey, Dalesha. Wassup?”
“Hey, sis! If you’re not busy, I wanted to see if you wanted to go to a party with me later. My sister and Am’Marie will be there too.”
I frowned, wondering if Nash would be there too. This would be my first time hanging out with his sisters. I wouldn’t turn that down.
“Okay, I’m down. Do they have a dress code?”
“Yes. Dress formally.”
“Okay. Thanks for inviting me. What time should I be ready?”
She gave me everything I needed to know. I didn’t know why I was so excited about this, but I was. I couldn’t wait to get on the phone to call my man to tell him.
“Thanks, sis. Talk to you soon.”
Thirty minutes later, I walked out of work with my phone pressed to my ear.
“Wassup, baby? How was work?” Nash asked with a yawn.
I hit the key fob to unlock my door. “It was great. How’s work going for you?”
“It’s going. I have to go to a meeting with my dad soon.”
I got in my car and closed the door behind me. “Oh? I have something to tell you. It’s exciting news too.”
“Oh yeah? What’s the news?”
I started the car and backed out of the parking spot. “Your sister invited me to a party later. It’s formal. I’ll send pictures of the dress after I get dressed.”
“Oh, word? Have fun. If I don’t get home in time to see you off, I can’t wait to get the pictures. I already know you’ll be looking damn good in it too.”
I grinned. “You’re too good for my ego.”
Nash laughed. “As I should be. See you soon. I love you.”
I smiled with all the happiness I had in my heart. “I love you too, Nash.”
I stared at myself in the mirror and smirked. “Damn, girl. You look good.”
I had on a long red dress that fit me nicely.
I wasn’t really a makeup person, but for this occasion, I put a little on.
I tried matching the color of my skin with the makeup, and surprisingly, it worked.
My nutmeg complexion popped. The high-heeled shoes I wore had me ready to take them off.
I wasn’t a big fan of them, and to wear them now, who the hell was I trying to impress?
I curled my wig and let it hang down my back.
After I took two pictures of myself, I sent them to Nash. I grabbed my cross-body purse and placed my phone inside before I headed out of my bedroom. I removed my long jacket from the coat rack and put it on. This December weather wasn’t playing around this year.
“See you later, Pinks!” I called out.
I made it to my car and got in. Gosh, I hoped I wouldn’t be late to the party.
When I wanted to look my best, I dressed kinda slow.
Mariah Carey’s song “Always Be My Baby” played through the car.
I sang it at the top of my lungs along with her, knowing I didn’t know how to sing. Nobody heard it but me, so I was good.
I pulled into the parking lot of the community center and was surprised.
Not many people were here, so it was a good thing I was early.
They’d probably roll in a little later. Not wasting any time, I exited my car and locked the door behind me.
I had to hurry and get inside because it was cold outside.
I sighed with relief as the warmth of the place wrapped around me.
Soft music played in the background as I entered the room where the party was being held.
I observed the place, seeing if I saw anyone I knew.
My eyes widened when I saw Farrah and Jace.
What the hell are they doing here? I then saw Dalesha, Talesha, and Am’Marie huddled in the corner.
I’d be talking to Farrah first before I go speak to them. She had some explaining to do.
Farrah turned and saw me, pasting a smile on her face. “Hey, hun!” She gave me a hug, which I returned.
“Hey, sis! Hey, Jace! What are you doing here?”
She beamed. “I know the person who is hosting this event.”
I frowned, looking around, hoping to get a glimpse of the person.
“Is the person here?”
She shrugged. “I’m not sure. When they come around, I’ll be sure to introduce you.”
I nodded. “Okay. I’ll be back. Nash’s sisters are here with their family friend, so let me go speak to them too.”
Farrah nodded. “Okay. Make sure you come back.”
I strode away from her and headed to speak with the twins and Am’Marie. Since we had that talk in Nash’s kitchen, Am’Marie and I occasionally talked too. I got to meet her son, and he was such an adorable baby.
“Sis, you made it!” Dalesha gave me a hug, and the rest of them followed.
“Yes. I told you I’d be here.”
Although I was happy to be here, I wished Nash were by my side too. I hated going to functions without my man by my side. I also missed the hell out of him.
Talesha sighed. “I’m glad you decided to show up. I know you wish you had your sidekick with you. Ever since y’all got together, you two were glued at the hip.”
I chuckled. “Yes. I know he has something important to do. That’s why I’m not too down about it.”
I could admit I enjoyed myself. I even introduced Farrah to Nash’s sisters and Am’Marie.
Hopefully, this party will wrap up soon.
I was ready to go home to my man. I was in the corner, nursing a drink, when everyone got loud from a commotion that had me standing up.
My eyes nearly bucked out of my head when I saw Nash making his way around the room. He greeted everyone.
My man looked good as hell in a red and black suit. He had gotten a haircut too. Well, damn, he looked good enough to eat. He halted when his eyes locked with mine. I gulped when I saw the longing in his eyes as he devoured me with them.
Nash came toward me, walking as if he had a purpose. I met him halfway, wanting to be near him. He cupped my face in his hands, lowered his head, and kissed me in front of everyone.
“Damn, I missed the hell out of you,” he professed when he pulled his lips from mine.
I smiled brightly. “I missed you too. It’s a good thing you showed up. If you hadn’t, I was about to leave. I couldn’t be here alone without you by my side.”
He smirked. “That’s good to know.”
“Have you seen the person who’s throwing this event? You know I like to know everything.”
He laughed. “Yeah, I know. And yeah, I’ve seen him.” He smirked.
I arched an eyebrow. “Oh, yeah? It’s a him?”
He nodded, pulling me closer to him. “Mmhm... You’re in his arms.”
“What?” I nearly exclaimed loudly. “Why the hell would you have an event, and I know nothing about it?” I tried not to get angry, but I felt like he had been keeping something from me. I tried to get out of his arms, but he held me tighter.
“Nah, don’t try to walk away from me. There’s no need to get upset. There’s a reason I didn’t let you know anything. Although I’m the man who arranged this event, I had it for you.”
My eyes widened as I pulled back to look into his face. “For me? Why for me? I didn’t ask for a party.”
Nash nodded and stepped back away from me. “I know you didn’t, but it will all make sense in a minute.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box.
I eyed him and then the box with my mouth dropping and my eyes once again widening. What in the hell was he doing?
“Nashton?” I whispered.
“I wanted to surprise you with a party... an engagement party. You never told me what you wanted for Christmas, so why not have me? Why not be my fiancée for Christmas? I wanted all my family and friends plus yours around for this day. This is your day... well, night. I love you more than anything in this world, Kenzlee. When I stopped you that day that you were about to leave the gym, I didn’t know we’d get this far.
I thank God every day for you. Waking up to you every morning is the highlight of my day. Kenzlee Wilson, will you marry me?”
Tears rolled down my face as I nodded. Here I was about to get mad at this man when he was only trying to make me his wife.
Nash wasted no time taking the ring out of the box and slipping it on my finger.
The crowd around us cheered and clapped when he pulled me into his arms and laid a big kiss on my lips.
“I love you. I’m so sorry for overreacting. For you to pull this over my head like this, you’re good.”
He chuckled. “It was hard. Baby, you’re nosy.”
I threw my head back and laughed. “I can’t seem to help it.”
We danced the night away, surrounded by our friends and family.
Farrah pulled the wool over my head too, but I’d be getting her back for that.
Nash made me feel so special. He planned a whole engagement party for me just to propose in front of all the people he cared about. That made me feel so special.
“God, I thank You,” I whispered.