Color Me Blind (A Divine Love Story Book 1) (33 page)

Blake laughed.

“I got you.
So what are you waiting on?” 

“
I’m going to do it tonight when we take you and Jasmine out for a surprise.” 

“A surprise?” 

“That’s right, so I suggest you and the missus get some rest because we are leaving here at seven on the dot. And wear something nice.” 

Blake’s brow shot up. 

“And where are we going?” 

“Dude
, what did I just say?  It’s a surprise!” 

Jasmine and the other ladies walked into the room. 

Jasmine asked, “What’s a surprise?” 

She slid onto Blake’s
lap. He wrapped his arms around her. It was now a natural reflex.

“Apparently our friends are taking u
s out to celebrate our nuptials,” Blake responded.

“Aww
really?  That’s so sweet you guys.” 

Carmen walked up behind Damon, slid her arms around him and kissed his cheek.
             

She said, “It was Damon’s idea.
Isn’t he a sweetheart?” 

Jasmine looked shocked.

“Damon are you blushing?” 

He looked away.  Jasmine laughed.

“Carmen whatever you doing you need to bottle it up and sell it.  It works miracles.” 

Damon gave Jasmine the middle finger.  They all laughed.

Blake asked Lucy, “So are we finally going to meet this mystery man you’ve been creeping around with?
” 

Now it was Lucy’s turn to blush, “
Tonight as a matter of fact.” 

Carmen asked, “So why the big secret Luce?  You’ve been keeping him under wraps for a few months now?”
 

Damon asked, “It is a he isn’t it?” 

Lucy and Carmen punched him. 

“Of course it’s a he.  I just didn’t want to bring anyone into our circle unless I felt strongly that they would stay
.  I’ve had a string of bad relationships. I wanted to be sure this one was a keeper before he got attached to you guys.” 

Blake patted Jasmine on
her backside.  She stood. He stood also. 

He
said, “Okay guys we are really beat.  If you want us to make it to our own celebration then we need to sleep.” 

Carmen
said, “Yeah right, sure you’re gonna sleep.” 

Jasmine said, “Oh no, cross my heart, we will definitely be sleeping.” 

Blake asked, “Can you make sure we’re up by five because Jasmine doesn’t know what she’s wearing and I can’t know what I’m wearing until she decides?  She’s going to want to coordinate.” 

He rolled his eyes.
  Jasmine sighed.

“It’s nice to have a man that knows you so well.” 

They laughed.  Jasmine looked up at the stairs.

“Oh my
, they may as well be Mount Everest.” 

Blake said, “You can hop on my back since I’m partly responsible for your state of weariness.” 

Lucy said, “Aww you guys are so cute.” 

Blake laughed.

“Now in all honesty I might drop us both.” 

Jasmine bit his neck.

“Boy hush.”

Blake took them up the stairs and asked, “My room or yours?” 

She said, “Yours babe, my bed is still covered with the clothes that d
idn’t make the cut for our trip, which was a waste because we never left the room.”

He chuckled
and headed to his room.  He sat on the bed and she climbed off his back and curled up on the bed.  He slid in behind her and pulled the extra cover from the foot of the bed over them.  He pulled her in close to him and kissed the back of her neck. 

“I love you gorgeous.” 

“Love you too handsome.” 

Sleepily he said, “Oh
, before I forget, can you please grow your curls back. I miss them.” 

She yawned, “Sure babe.” 

“I have a fantasy in my head that requires my fingers being in those curls.”

Too tired to laugh she let out a small chuckle. 
Within minutes they faded into sleep.

Everyone was buzzing around the house getting ready to celebrate the marriage of their friends.  Damon was the time k
eeper.  He had been frequently yelling at Carmen and Jasmine because they were the most likely to be late. 

Jasmine ye
lled out, “What is the big deal?  What happens at exactly seven p.m. on the dot?” 

Damon said,
“The limo arrives to pick us up.  Where we are heading they will not wait for us to get there. Now hurry up Jazzy.” 

“Don’t get your panties in a bunch
. I will be ready with five minutes to spare.” 

Blake walked into Jasmine’s room to see if she had finally picked a color.  He had resolved that he was wearing all black and would put on a tie to match whatever color dress she wore.  There was a
siren red dress laid out on her bed.  He walked into the double bathroom she shared with Carmen where they were both applying their make up in their robes.  He leaned against the door jamb looking handsome as ever in all black. 

Jasmine eyed him through
the mirror. 

“Well don’t you look
delicious?” 

“I’m glad you like what you see.” 

“I love what I see.” 

Carmen said, “Uh gag me!” 

They laughed. 

Blake asked, “So baby are you sure you’re wearing th
is little red number on the bed. I wanna finish getting dressed.” 

“Yes.
I remembered the effect I had on you the last time I wore red.” 

He laughed.

“Not fair.” 

“All’s fair in love and fashion baby.” 

He kissed her shoulder
.

“Okay
, y’all hurry up before Damon has a conniption fit.” 

Carmen said, “You tell him I will be worth the wait.” 

“Yes ma’am.”

With ten minutes to spare Jasmine walked out of her room wearing a red
knee length strapless dress that managed to compliment her curves without being tight.  Her black patent leather pumps were set off by the patent leather clutch and the dangling rubies that sparkled in her ears.  They had been a birthday gift from Blake years ago.  She never really had an occasion to wear them.  Tonight seemed perfect.  She was rewarded with an approving smile when he stepped out of his room.  They met at the top of the stairs. 

He said, “I am such a lucky man.  You look so sexy
baby.” 

She grinned.

“
You sir wear black very well.  You will definitely get lucky tonight.” 

He leaned down to press his lips to her shimmering red ones then hesitated. 

She asked, “What?” 

“Um, Amber never let me kiss her with fresh lipstick on.” 

Jasmine smirked and straightened his red and black tie.

“Well I’m not Amber and you can put your lips on mine anytime and anywhere you please.  I can always reapply.” 

“See that’s why I married you.  I can’t wait to get you back home.” 

He pulled her into him and kissed her
like she was his last meal and he was on death row.

Carmen walked out of her room and said, “You
guys get a room.  Can’t you stay apart for more than five minutes?” 

Blake
reluctantly broke the kiss and said, “No.” 

He did a double take. 

“Wow Carmen, I’d say you were definitely worth the wait.  Damon’s tongue is going to fall out when he sees you.” 

A big grin spread across her face. 

Jasmine turned to see, “Oh sweetie you look so beautiful.” 

She was wearing a white halter dress that
hugged her athletic but curvy body.  She did a little spin and showed off the plunging back of the dress that featured a sparkling silver rope that stretched from the neck to the waist.  Her butterscotch skin was the perfect contrast.  She’d pinned her ridiculously long hair onto the top of her head.  Her hair cascaded out in curly tendrils.  She wore strappy sandals that sparkled and carried a white clutch with rhinestone accents.

Damon called up, “
Are you guys ready?” 

Blake said, “Heading down now.” 

He grabbed Jasmine’s hand as they walked down the stairs together.  When they reached the bottom they looked up to see Carmen basically teasing Damon with her slow seductive descent. 

Jasmine whispered, “She is gonna give the poor guy heart palpitations.” 

Blake laughed. 

Damon
stood in his white linen suit and just stared.

“Uh.  Wow.  You um look…wow Carmen you literally have me speechless right now.” 

She smiled and walked into his waiting arms. 

Carmen said, “If you can’t talk with your mouth find something else to do with it.” 

He obliged and kissed her.  Jasmine and Blake teasingly oohed and aahed.  Jasmine thought they were so cute together.  She had never really seen them together like this.  It was a sight to behold. 

Lucy cleared her throat, “Can we please go and get my man because I am so over all these public displays of affection.
” 

They all turned
to see Lucy also dressed to turn heads.  Her long, lean frame sported a black jumpsuit set off by gold peep toe booties and gold accessories.  Her jet black hair was now cut into a razor sharp bob that framed her face.  In the back, it was short to the nape of her neck and hung two inches below her chin in the front.  She was dazzling.             

Jasmine walked up to h
er.

“So while I was sleeping you were cheating on me and letting someone else cut your hair.” 

Lucy laughed.

“Sorry
, it was a last minute decision. I know you needed your beauty rest.” 

“It’s fierce.
Who did it?” 

“
Sharon. She is the only one I could convince to meet me at the salon on a Sunday.” 

“Oh
yeah that young lady has skills. That’s why I hired her.” 

Damon said, “As fascinating as this is, and Lucy you do look amazing, I believe the limo is outside.  So can we go?” 

They rolled their eyes at Damon but obliged.  Jasmine hooked an arm in Blake’s and he extended his other arm to Lucy. 

“Shall we ladies?” 

Damon said, “You look like a pimp dawg.” 

He got dirty
scowls from the ladies, he just laughed.

Outside the driver held the door open to the black stretch limousine.  Blake helped Jasmine and Lucy into the limo while Damon helped Carmen.  Jasmine and Blake were
on the left side of the limo.  Lucy sat across from them.  Damon and Carmen took the rear seat.  Through the intercom Lucy gave the driver the address of their next stop. 

Damon handed out glasses and popped the top on the champagne that
rested in the bucket of ice. 

Once everyone had a glass he
raised his and said, “To my best friend, my brother and the woman that God himself created just for him.  I’m so glad you two finally came to your senses and stopped ruining other people’s lives.” 

Everyone laughed. 

“Ever since I met you guys back in high school, I thought there were no two people more perfect for each other.  It took y’all long enough to come to the same conclusion, but I wish you both every kind of happiness there is, long life and peace of mind.  I look forward to seeing your relationship blossom into whatever God intended it to be.” 

Jasmine said, “Carmen
, what did you do to my Damon. You got him all soft and gooey now.” 

They
laughed. 

Blake said, “Thanks man, we love you.” 

Lucy said, “Ah shoot, they have started in with the ‘we’ talk.” 

Laughing they clinked glasses.

As they waited to meet Lucy’s new beau they sipped their champagne and made small talk about everything.  Each of them skillfully navigated the topic away from anything Ahmed.  Individually they were finding their own way to deal.  They all wanted to keep the mood celebratory.  After about 20 minutes the limo came to a stop.  Lucy tried to look through the dark tinted windows but not with much luck. 

She pulle
d out her cell phone and dialed.

“Hey s
weetie. We’re outside.  Okay.”

She hung up. 

Blake was whispering in great detail what he wanted to do with his wife when they got home.  She was giggling and not paying any attention to what was going on around them.  Carmen and Damon were pretty much in their own world too.  Lucy just rolled her eyes when the door opened.  Her face lit up as the handsome face of her man smiled at her. 

“Hi baby,” she gushed. 

He gave her a long hug and complimented her on her new hair.  Since Blake and Jasmine were still ignoring everybody Lucy began the introductions with Damon and Carmen. 

“Baby these are my roommates, Damon and Carmen.” 

Jasmine realized there was someone new in the limo.  When she looked up her heart stopped for a couple beats.  She’d heard Lucy say his name to Damon and Carmen but she thought there was no way it could be him.  Then he looked at her and she knew it was him because she saw the instant flash of recognition on his face that he quickly masked. 

Blake still had his face buried in
his wife’s neck.  He felt her body go rigid all of a sudden.  She gripped his hand so fiercely that her strong nails were digging into his flesh.  Instinct had him trying to pull his hand out of hers but her grip was vice and that was not about to happen. 

He was about to get mad but
something in his gut told him there was something very wrong.  He studied her profile then followed her gaze to where it was stuck.  He looked at the face of the man sitting next to Lucy.  He knew he recognized him but he couldn’t quite place it. 

Lucy was bubbling.

“These are m
y friends that just got married. This is Blake and his wife, Jasmine.  This is my guy, Jeremy.” 

Blake was beside himself to know that the man
who got Jasmine pregnant and discarded her was sitting across from them with his arm wrapped possessively around one of their closest friends. 

Blake recovered quickly and said, “Nice to finally meet you.” 

Jasmine cleared her throat and just smiled.  She was officially speechless.  Jasmine turned and stared at Blake.  To play it off he grabbed her face and kissed her.  Then he whispered in her ear.

“It’s gonna be okay baby.  Just breathe.  I’m right here.  I’m right here Jaz.” 

She squeezed his hand. She still couldn’t find her voice. 

“Just breathe baby and let me think.” 

She nodded.  He pulled her into him to steady her, to keep her grounded. 

Damon asked, “So how did you two meet?” 

Jeremy had to clear his throat and get his bearings.  Coming face-to-face with the woman he abandoned was not the way he imagined this evening would start. 

“Uh, actually we have a mutual friend
that introduced us, Ahmed.” 

Jasmine’s head snapped
up.  Her voice was back.

“Ahmed
did what?” 

Lucy, Carmen and Damon stared at her shocked by her outburst. 

She said, “I’m sorry I just, that’s just a little strange because Ahmed never said anything to any of us about it.” 

Jeremy was still as handsome as ever.  His
cocoa brown, six-foot-one frame was decked out in a grey suit with the vest only and a black dress shirt underneath.  The matching tie pulled it all together with hints of light blue winding through it.

He said, “We worked for rival finance firms but Ahmed and I hit
it off at a conference.  He told me several months back he had a roommate he thought I would really like.” 

Blake asked, “So why is this our first time meeting you?” 

He tried to hide his derision for the man but he didn’t know if he was quite pulling it off. 

“Actually
, I’ve been living on the West Coast.  I’ve been flying back and forth because I’ve just accepted a position on the East Coast.  Lucy has been a doll about understanding a hectic schedule and transition.” 

He kissed her hand and looked at her adoringly, she blushed.
 

“
I was out of the country when Ahmed died.  Lucy had a key to my place so she just crashed there for a few days.  He was such a great guy.  I have him to thank for bringing this beautiful woman into my life.” 

He kissed a blushing Lucy on the
lips.