Lynnia (38 page)

“BABE! Oh my goodness. Babe, look what D. and his … friend brought us.”

Those words surprised him even more.
Us?
Tyson had some serious explaining to do.

Tyson’s smile was from ear to ear by the time Paulette stopped bouncing in front of him. “He got the one plant you were sad we didn’t get. I don’t know how you knew, my man, but you just made my lady’s day with that one. Although, I think your lady friend might have had a hand in it. That ficus microcarpa ginseng was the one thing that she said she’d forgotten when we stopped in IKEA the other day. It’s gonna look great in the kitchen. She has a pot all set for it.”

He and Brittney looked in the kitchen, but didn’t see a pot for a plant. They both looked expectantly at the couple standing before them.

“I guess now’s as good a time as any.”

Paulette nodded her head and put her fingers between her lips. A loud whistle rang out and bounced around the room. The music quieted and everyone turned their attention to the happy couple.

“Thanks babe. Most of you know that Paulette and I have been dating for a while now. It may not have been long, but I couldn’t be happier than I am when I’m with this woman. Tonight marks the last night that I’ll be calling this place home. Paulette and I will be moving in together next week and prepping the baby’s room.”

There was total silence as everyone just stared for a few moments. All at once the room erupted. Cheers and congratulations were thrown around. Dario was in shock. He couldn’t believe what he’d heard. In the time that he was trying to get his shit together with the woman that he loved for what some could consider a lifetime, this man had found love enough to create life and begin something with the mother of the child. What in the fuck was wrong with him?

He couldn’t speak for the rest of the night. There was conversation going on around him, but he didn’t hear it. All he could think about was the much needed conversation he was going to have the next day. After a couple hours had passed, he said goodnight to the couple and let Tyson know they would need to talk soon. He drove Brittney home in complete silence. When he parked the car, she was the one to speak up.

“So, this is it, huh? This was our last date. You’ve finally made up your mind and it’s not me, right?”

He gave her a confused look before deciding to go with it. It didn’t matter how she knew or what she’d figured out. This made things easier for him.

“It is our last date. I’ve had so much fun and … I don’t want to make things worse. I’m going to stop speaking.”

“It’s probably for the best. I wish things would’ve turned out differently. You’re a great guy, Dario Anderson. She’d be a fool to let you slip away again. Let me know if she doesn’t wise up. I might be willing to take what she doesn’t want.”

She gave him a flirtatious grin then quickly kissed him before getting out of the truck. She’d held his hand when he’d moved to climb out and open her door.

“Have a good night, Britt. I’ll give you a call if she doesn’t take me up on my offer.”

“You better or I might have to come find you.”

They both laughed and she gave a wave before disappearing into her house. One little thing down and one major thing to go. Time to conquer his fears and get the life he wanted.

Chapter 21