Page 10 of Merci

“I’m still… eh… handling my situation.”

“Well, I’ma get cha, no matter what. It can be now while you’re attached or after you call things off. Either way, you’re mine.”

Merci sighed. “And I’m still trying to figure out why you’re so invested in someone you just met.”

I thought about her question carefully. I didn’t want to tell her I needed to experience her to figure that out myself. Instead, I told her, “A wise person once said, ‘accepting the unknowns of life and love leads to faith if one chooses to believe.’ I can’t tell you why you’re mine. All I can tell you is if you trust me to prove it, I’ll prove I’m worthy of you and your love.”

“Aren’t you ever the charmer,” she said, and I could hear her smile in her voice.

“No charm or game. Just my truth.”

“We’ll see. I have to go, though.”

“Alright, sweetheart. We’ll see each other soon.”

“Okay, Mr. Hammer.”

I chuckled as I ended the call. She really had no idea that she was already mine. After going inside and placing my order, I called Cujo back to get some information out of Ariel. She didn’t want to give the goods up initially, but when I shared with her that I was trying to put together a gift for Merci to soften her toward me, Ariel agreed. She told me what Merci’s favorite food, flower, color, and clothing and jewelry brands were, along with her address. By the time my food was done, I’d already gotten the list of things I wanted to purchase for Merci together.

Truthfully, I had no idea how things would play out between us when Merci’s father found out who I was. If all we had was the present, I’d make the most of it and ensure I treated her well enough for her to remember me for the rest of her life.

7

MERCI

Later that Night

It was the fact that I was stewing in my anger while Hammer, or whatever the hell his name was, was proving just how much he wanted a chance to have me. All day today, there was unexpected traffic to my home. At first, I wanted to be upset that Ariel had given Hammer my address, but I couldn’t deny his effort was cute. Plus, if he turned out to be crazy, it wasn’t like I didn’t have a slew of crazy men in my family who could keep him away from me.

The first delivery was seven bouquets of my favorite flowers. The second delivery was from a personal shopper whom he’d sent to get some of my favorite bags and heels from the mall in Germantown. The third delivery was dinner from my favorite sushi spot, and the fourth delivery was dessert from my favorite cookie shop. As much as I appreciated what he’d gotten me and the excitement of wondering if I’d get something else delivered, it was the text he sent me that made me swoon the most.

: If I can’t have you in my presence, I hope these gifts have shown you how much you’ve been on my mind today. I don’t plan to try and buy you or your love, but until I can give you my time, partnership, and companionship, prepare to be spoiled with my provision every day.

: Apple Cash $10,000

: You got a Zelle? This 10K max ain’t gone work.

As I typed out my response, I heard banging on my door. Even without looking, I knew it was David. He’d likely tried to put in the code to unlock my door and realized it didn’t work. I didn’t mind him having the code, because I knew the moment I no longer wanted him to use it, I could just change it. To me, that was far better than him having a key, because I didn’t have to wait for him to give it back or worry about getting the locks changed if he didn’t.

I took my time slipping into my robe and heading to the door. As far as I was concerned, David hadn’t prioritized talking to me all day, so there was no rush on my end now.

The second I had the door open, David came charging inside.

“The hell is wrong with the keypad? I put the code in, and it didn’t work.”

“I know. I changed it.”

His steps stopped abruptly, and he looked back at me. “Changed it for what?”

Sighing, I crossed my arms over my chest and leaned against the wall. At this point, there was no point in even suggesting he’d be here long enough to get comfortable in my living room or bedroom. I was ready for him to leavenow.

“Having access to me and my home is a privilege you no longer have.”

A low chuckle escaped him as he took steps in my direction. “And why is that?”

“Your phone has been off all day, and I haven’t heard from you. Had I not called your mom, I wouldn’t have even known that your ass was alive and well. It’s almost nine in the evening, and you’vejustdecided to come here and give me your excuse. Quite frankly, I don’t care what excuse you have for your disappearing act because I want nothing else to do with you.”

“Merci, I was drunk last night. My battery died?—”