"What are you up to?" Aleena asked, taking in her surroundings. A plain red blanket was placed on the verdant grass in the Town Plaza amongst other various blankets speckled across the lawn. It was covered with her favorite things; a mango lime tart, a pair of ham and goat cheese focaccia sandwich, cheddar cheese popcorn, dark chocolate-covered almonds, and chai tea to wash it all down.

"I owe you an apology." DeMarcus handed her the bouquet of Marigolds but when she didn't reach out to accept them he went on, "I haven't been the man you married treating you less than you deserve and the disappearing act I pulled yesterday was childish."

"Why?" She asked letting her hands stay in the pockets of the taupe dress that stopped a couple of inches above her cocoa butter and vanilla lotioned knees. Her curls were pulled back in a messy bun and her edges weren't laid to perfect just scented from the argan oils she rubbed over her hair after getting out of the shower. The peach canvas shoes on her feet were the first things she pulled from the closet when she was still unsure if she would accept his invitation.

An invitation that she received from a delivery person toting another bouquet; this arrangement was made with Dahlias and Flamingo Feather Celosia. Conflicting thoughts plagued her and she was close to picking the one that urged her to pack a bag and spend a couple of days in Serena's guest room. Lucky for him she picked the part of her that loved him and valued the vows they exchanged several years ago.

"Why meaning?" DeMarcus inquired, befuddlement etching its way on his face. "I just—"

"I'm not playing this game with you," She threw up her hands and began to walk away.

He hustled ahead of her and halted her advancement to the pathway attracting attention from a few passersby and picnic goers. "I'm assuming you mean 'going for a run and not coming back'?" Aleena didn't say a word with her arms folded glaring at him as her eyebrows furrowed and he continued, "After seeing the text on your phone, I felt some type of way."

Aleena's dark brown eyes went side to side as she tried to remember the messages she'd received that evening and she remembered what she was doing prior to him walking in the kitchen—the photo she sent Apollo."

"You flaked because I was sexting?"

He winced, tightening his grip on the flower, almost crushing the stems. "I know it sounds—"

"Miniscule compared to what you've done." She cut him off.

"You don't even know what I've done." He retorted.

She gave him a knowing look. "DeMarcus, don't play me for a fool. You probably fucked someone the very next day." His eyes betrayed him. She gestured then added. "Exactly. And if you've forgotten let me remind you...we have the same ferocious appetite. Did you think I wasn't going to take the offer?"

"So, you really plan on fucking ole dude? After this..." He gestured to the picnic set up.

She glanced over her shoulder and then back to him, "Are you serious?"

He looked off to the side as the sun faded and the projector flashed on displaying the name of the movie that was going to be shown. He took a deep breath then nodded to himself as if he was having an internal conversation with himself.

"Unless you want to go back to how we were." She said, "I'm fine with either or."

He grinned before turning back to her. "As long as we agree that oral is off the table, you can have all the fun you can handle."

"For me, him, or both."

"Both."

"And it goes for you to. Tell your sweetheart to stay off her knees."

"I only have one sweetheart." He countered, tipping up her chin playfully. "I'm sorry for my behavior. I won't treat you like that again so can we watch your favorite movie and then sixty-nine later another one of your favorites."

"On a Thursday?" She asked moving his hand from her face.

"Yes, you're my first priority." He handed her the flowers again and this time she took it but gave him a skeptical look and he added. "I mean it. This is just a period in our relationship. I'm so close to getting everything I want...for us and I'll be able to give you that baby you want...build our family."

"We can do that now." She stopped smelling the flowers.

"I don't only want to provide. I want to ensure we can thrive." He caressed her face softly. "And to let you know that I'm serious about you being my first priority...I'm going home every night no matter how crazy this Houston traffic is."

"Okay." Was all she said peering deeply in his eyes wondering what her next move would be while a part of her wish she didn't have to play games to be in an exclusive relationship with her own him. Her younger self would be cussing her out for putting up with his nonsense. She thought swearing off athletes would prevent her from dealing with a man that had difficulty with the art of commitment. She wondered if Apollo had the same flaw.

"You ready?" DeMarcus held out his hand.

She took it and let him lead her back to the blanket. "I can't believe they're playing Carmen Jones tonight."

"Believe it." He responded, extending the container with the chocolate covered almonds.

She tossed an almond in her mouth, studied him for a moment thinking furious thoughts then focused on the movie. She had him tonight and she'd live in the moment until she knew what she was doing next because she wanted loyalty and was going to get it by any means necessary.