KAREEM'S POV

"Fucking hell!"I cussed tossing away the socket wrench I was using to fix Jamila's sink.

"What's wrong?"Jamila asked running into the kitchen.

"Nothing, I just hurt myself."I replied biting my lip in pain.

"Be careful please."Jamila scolded.

I waited for the pain to subside before I continued working on the leaking sink. Ten minutes later I was done so I crawled out from under but I'd forgotten about my toolbox so I ended up hitting my knee on it. Cusses flew out of my mouth as I got off my knees but I hit the back of my head on the sink making everything worse.

I straightened up hoping on one leg as I rubbed the back of my head. Jamila stood next to the fridge mirth written all over her face before she burst out laughing. I pursed my lips at her unimpressed by how she found joy in my suffering.

"Good God, it's like watching a cartoon that keeps hurting itself."She laughed directing me to a stool so I could sit down.

"Let me see."She demanded checking the back of my head.

"It's not bleeding, you're fine."She said after a few seconds.

"Glad my pain makes you so happy."I scowled.

"Oh quit whining you big baby, you're fine. You are always so coordinated, why are you extra clumsy today?"Jamila asked.

"Nothing."I mumbled even if I knew that there was something eating at me.

"I know you better than that Kareem so spill before I torture it out of you."Jamila threatened.

I looked at the determined look on her face and realized that she was not going to let it go until I told her.

"Okay fine, put the claws away, I'll tell you."I relented.

Jamila grinned proud of herself before taking a seat across from me on the kitchen table.

"I'm all ears."

I took a deep breath and gathered my thoughts. I hadn't told anyone about what was eating me, Jamila would be the first to know but maybe she would offer me some much needed insight.

"I've been thinking a lot lately and I think I'm ready to take the next step in my relationship with Diana."I explained.

Jamila's eyes widened before she jumped out of her seat and started screaming dancing around the kitchen. I just looked at her bewildered wondering what the excitement was all about. Finally she calmed down enough to face me.

"Have you bought it yet?"She asked her excitement almost palpable.

"Bought what?"I asked confused.

"The ring dummy, that's what."She replied and it was my turn to be shocked.

"Ring? What would I need a ring to ask Diana to move in with me?"I asked shocked until realization hit me.

"You thought I meant to propose?"I inquired surprise dripping out of my voice.

Jamila sulked like a deflated balloon when she realized that we were talking about two completely different things.

"Of course, you two are all lovey dovey now, I thought you were going to go down on one knee and pop the magical question."Jamila retorted.

"Definitely not, it's only been four months. We're not ready for marriage."I replied.

Of course I had thought about asking Diana to marry me but that was in the far future after our relationship was stronger and unshakable.

"What's the difference between that and asking her to move in, you guys will be living together like husband and wife?"Jamila asked.

"I'm asking her to move in so we can grow together as a couple first. Learn each other's routines, what's makes the other tick, how we like our eggs in the morning. I want to know if we're compatible before I pop the question."I replied.

"So you have thought about popping the question."Jamila teased with a megawatt smile on her face.

"First of all drop that ridiculous smile and of course I've thought about it but it doesn't mean I'll ask now. Maybe in a year or so."I replied making Jamila pout at me.

"You guys have been on a trip and you have sleep overs all the time."Jamila pointed out.

"Nuru does that with her best friend all the time, it doesn't mean they are ready for marriage. Doing all that doesn't equate to actually living together. We're basically still in the honeymoon phase and for us to know if we really are meant to be, we have to move past that and into the real deal. You should know that, you've been married before."I expressed.

Jamila looked thoughtful for a moment before she sighed.

"As much as I hate to admit it, you're right. You guys still have a lot to learn about each other before you get married. Diana needs the chance to run before she is hooked to you forever."Jamila grinned.

I tossed a kitchen towel at her.

"What if I'm the one who learns something that makes me run?"I asked Jamila who scoffed at me.

"Oh please, Diana is an angel who could do so much better than you. Still baffles me how you managed to rope her in."Jamila scoffed.

"Take that back."I demanded looking for something to throw at her but there was nothing close by.

Jamila laughed looking sorry for me.

"Calm down, I'm joking. You guys are perfect together and I hope you will find that out in your quest of living together."Jamila encouraged.

"Thanks siz, now I just have to pluck the courage to actually ask her."I frowned.

"You'll be fine."She consoled patting my arm.

I smiled appreciatively before getting off the stool and testing out my leg. The pain was gone so I was good to go.

"I'm going to work, I'll see you later."I announced grabbing my keys and my toolbox.

"Work? It's Saturday. You never go to work on weekends."Jamila reminded me.

"I do when I need to clear my head and think. Don't forget to pick Nuru up from the school grounds, they'll be back from the trip by four pm."I informed Jamila.

"I won't forget."She assured me.

"You did two weeks ago."I reminded her.

"I had too many cocktails with the girls. How many times will I have to apologize?"Jamila whined.

"For as long as I want."I grinned making her pout.

"Bye siz."I said blowing her a kiss before I left her glaring at me.

I knew she hadn't forgotten to pick Nuru up on purpose but it was fun teasing her about it.

When I got to work it was deserted exactly how I liked it when I needed some me time. I put on some music, loud enough to encompass the whole place in Eminem's voice before shrugging on my coveralls. Grabbing all the necessary tools I found myself under the hood of a ford ranger double cabin truck tinkering away.

Moving in with Diana wasn't a thought I'd just woken up with in the morning. It had been on my mind ever since the disaster gathering with our estranged family over a month ago. Diana had done so well by my side that I'd wanted her to stay there forever. Jumping into marriage wasn't ideal for either of us so I'd considered moving in together. I'd seen a lot of marriages fail because the couple moved too quickly and got married without knowing each other well. Living together would give Diana and I that chance. Convincing Diana to say yes to living with me would be the hard part. Would she share my idea or would she think that it was too soon? I just needed to mull over the idea a little longer and pluck the nerve to actually ask her.

My train of thought was interrupted by a tap on my shoulder. I jumped in surprise hitting my head on the hood on the truck in the same spot the sink had injured me earlier that morning. I turned around ready to cuss whoever had interrupted me but came face to face with my boss making all the insults dry up on my lips instantly.

"Sorry to disturb you son, I had no idea anyone was here. I just came to pick up some paper work. Are you okay? I hope you didn't get hurt too bad."Vihaan apologized.

"Im okay, thick skull and all."I replied rubbing the back of my head.

"Good to hear. What are you doing here? It's the weekend."Vihaan pointed out.

"I had some free time so I thought I'd come here and finish up on the truck."I informed him with a shrug.

There's no way I was going to tell my boss the real reason I was working on a Saturday.

"I like your work ethic son but you look troubled, anything I can help you with?"Vihaan asked sincerely.

"Thank you sir but these are matters of the heart."I replied shortly not wanting to bother him.

Vihaan and I had a good employer-employee relationship but I didn't want to cross that boundary by bothering him with my personal troubles.

"I've been married forty seven years to one wife, I'm an expert at matters of the heart. So tell me, what's going on?"Vihaan insisted.

Looks like just like Jamila he was not going to let it go until I confessed.

"I'm thinking of asking my girlfriend to move in with me but I don't want to rush her since we haven't been dating that long."I replied.

"You're girlfriend Diana?"Vihaan asked for confirmation and I nodded.

"I like Diana, smart young girl from a very respectable family. You did well for yourself son."Vihaan commented making me smile.

"Thank you sir."I replied feeling proud of myself.

I didn't have a father figure to look up to but Vihaan was my mentor, someone I really admired and looked up to so his words meant a great deal to me.

"Love has no timeline son. You can date someone for three years and it doesn't work out. You can also date someone for three months who completes you like no other. If your gut is telling you that this is the right move then go for it. You'll only regret what you didn't do in this life. Besides this can only go two ways, splendidly where you both realize that you are perfect for each other or you realize that you aren't meant to be so you both cut your losses before you waste any more of each others time."Vihaan advised.

I didn't like the last part of his statement but there was a lot of wisdom to his words.

"Thank you sir."I replied appreciatively.

"You're welcome and for what's it's worth, I hope it works out. You two make a good couple."Vihaan complimented.

"I couldn't agree more."I said with a smile.

"Well okay then, I'll just grab what I came here for and leave you to it. But please do go home, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy."Vihaan teased.

"This is play for me sir."I said.

"Silly me, how could I forget, have fun then."Vihaan smiled walking away.

He went into the office grabbed whatever he had come for and within minutes he was gone leaving me all alone again.

Vihaan's words rang in my head for the next two hours as I finished up on the work I had started. When I was done I put everything back to where it needed to be, took a shower and changed back into my normal clothes. I closed up shop, making sure every lock was secure before informing the guard that I was leaving. I drove out of there with one destination in mind, Diana's apartment.

It took me less than half an hour to get there since there was no traffic. Each step up to her door increased my nerves but I wasn't going to back out. If asking her to move in with me was making me so anxious what about when I actually proposed. That would be even more nerve wracking but I would have months to prepare for it. One problem at a time for the moment.

I knocked on the door and had to wait for a minute before Diana opened it. I had a key but I didn't like using it, it kinda felt wrong. She looked breathtaking in a black crop camisole with cherry prints and matching short shorts. Her glasses made her big eyes pop more, her hair tied in a messy bun at the top of her head.

"Hi baby, I wasn't expecting you tonight."Diana greeted leaning up to kiss me.

"I know but I missed you and wanted to pop by."I replied.

"It's always nice to see you, come in."She invited stepping aside to let me in.

I couldn't resist pulling her into my arms to kiss her when she looked so beautiful. When we pulled away, she blinked up at me in a daze adjusting her crooked glasses.

"I missed you too."She mumbled lips swollen after our kiss.

I smirked before kicking off my shoes and letting myself into her house. I made myself comfortable on the sofa and grabbed the remote turning the TV on.

"I was just making supper, have you eaten yet?"

"Not yet."I replied.

"Okay."Diana nodded walking into the kitchen.

I watched TV for a few minutes before I got bored and joined Diana in the kitchen. It was warmer in there so I shrugged off my hoodie leaving me in a loose gray tank top. Diana smiled when she saw me but didn't stop what she was doing.

"So how was your day?"I asked her.

As Diana told me about her day at the bookcafe I watched her move fluidly in the kitchen making food for the both of us. Conversation was easy between us and even though I offered to help with the food she turned me down severally until I stopped.

The both of us in the kitchen just talking as I watched her cook created a longing in me. I wanted that with Diana, everyday for the rest of our lives. Before I could stop myself I blurted out the question that had been plaguing my mind for weeks.

"Move in with me."

Diana who had been chopping a tomato dropped the knife before looking up at me very slowly.

"What?"She mumbled as if she hadn't heard me.

I hadn't meant to blurt it out like that but it was already out there and I couldn't take it back. I got off my stool and went around the small table towards where she was. I turned her around to face me and took her hands in mine.

"Move in with me."I repeated myself looking into her eyes so that she could see I meant each word.

Diana's eyes just widened in surprise but she didn't say anything in response. I decided to plead my case.

"I know it's only been four months but I've thought long and hard about it and I think this is the best move for where we are at in our relationship. We both love each other and see this going the distance so let's move in together."I proposed.

Diana shook her head and I lost all hope. I had anticipated the probability of her saying no but I didn't think she would turn me down so quick without even hearing me out.

"Move in together?"She mumbled more to herself than to me.

"Yes."I replied my confidence shaken by the fear and doubt in her voice.

"How long have you been thinking about this?"Diana asked taking her hands out of my hold to take off her glasses.

She rubbed her eyes setting her glasses aside.

"A few weeks."I shrugged deciding to be honest with her.

Diana chewed on her lip in concentration which caused my anxiety to sky rocket.

"I am not ready to be a wife to anyone."Diana replied looking up at me.

Her defense was reasonable since we had only been dating a few months.

"I am not asking you to be my wife, I'm asking you to be my girlfriend that lives with me."I replied.

"What's the difference?"She asked.

"When I do marry you it will be till death do us part. Right now if you move in with me, you'll have the option of leaving which you won't have as my wife."I explained but Diana didn't look convinced.

"I want us to work cupcake, I want you in my life forever. I don't want to jump too quick into marriage without covering all the basis with you. I won't risk marrying you just so you can divorce me a few months later when you realize that you can't deal with living with me. There's more to spending eternity together than love and good sex."I argued further my last statement making her laugh.

"I do love you and the sex is great but I'm not sure about this Kareem."Diana mumbled looking unsure.

"I had weeks to think about it so I can't rush you into making this decision. Can you at least give me your word that you'll think about it?"I requested.

Diana looked relieved that I wasn't demanding an immediate answer.

"That I can do."She replied smiling.

"Good because I love you and I really want us to work out."I said kissing her forehead.

"I love you and I want that too."Diana replied wrapping her arms around me in a hug so that her face was buried in my chest.

We stood like that for a minute until the timer on the oven went of making Diana jump away from me. She retrieved part of our dinner from the oven and I moved aside to give her the space she needed to complete the rest.

The rest of our evening went great but Diana kept spacing out a lot meaning she was thinking about my proposal which was good. She hadn't said yes but she hadn't said no either which I could live with at the moment.

I didn't spend the night because I wanted to give Diana the space to think about what I'd proposed without me hovering over her. I kissed her goodnight and left her to her thoughts praying to God that she would say yes.

🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻

No one offered their input 🥺🥺 but it's okay, I figured it out on my own after a good night's sleep and the attempt to start another book.

Also the timeline of this story was getting a little confusing so I went through the whole book chapter by chapter and drew it out. The story began in April and its been four months so the timeline of this chapter is based in August.

Hope you guys enjoyed reading this one.

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Love@Lyssah.