Chapter 3
I clutched my nose in pain, while Jamir was busy checking out my shoes.
I immediately straightened up, annoyed. "I'm not wearing any lifts. I'm 5'7", all natural."
Jamir snorted with laughter.
"Got it," Jamir said with a grin.
I was rocking a short skirt that day, and Jamir crouched down, keeping his eyes firmly on the floor as he helped me with my shoelaces, never once sneaking a glance at me.
It wasn't until college started, when we ran into each other again, that I finally found out his name: Jamir.
That's when it hit me that I liked him. And from then on, I kept going after him for eight whole years, never giving up.
Jamir was drop-dead gorgeous, and girls were always lining up to chase after him.
But in the end, he'd either turn them down flat, or they'd back off when they saw how relentless I was about him.
It wasn't until Elyse reached out to me that I realized Jamir had someone in his life who was basically like a sister to him.
As Elyse put it, they weren't related by blood, but their connection went way beyond what you'd expect from real siblings.
They grew up together in the same orphanage, and even after getting adopted by different families, they always stayed close.
They were even classmates from elementary school all the way through high school.
The first time I met Elyse, she grabbed my hand and said, "Marie, Jamir's never dated anyone before. He's a total straight-shooter and doesn't have a clue how to charm girls, but trust me, you're special to him."
Honestly, I was so hyped. I planned a birthday surprise for him, tagged along to his classes, and even helped him launch his company.
When his business was about to go under, I hustled everywhere for investors, owing favors all over the place. My folks couldn't watch me run myself ragged, so they stepped in and bailed him out.
Jamir knew exactly how I felt. At first, he avoided me like the plague, but little by little, he started to soften up around me.
But no matter how hard I tried, he still wouldn't say yes.
Four months ago, I was waiting for Jamir outside his office after work.
Suddenly, I saw Elyse flaunting her marriage certificate on Instagram for everyone to see.
I was totally stunned, but I still sent her my congratulations, wishing her a lifetime of happiness.
I opened up our chat and started typing, asking when the wedding was.
Jamir came over, looking a little out of it.
I grumbled, "Jamir, Elyse got married? Why didn't you tell me? When's the wedding? I need to figure out what to get her. She's like your only sister. How could you not be on top of this?"
Before I could finish, Jamir kissed me, shutting me up.
"Marie, don't you like me?" he said, his voice husky.
I was totally out of it, just staring at him, stunned.
I stared at him, totally dazed. "Are you drunk or something?" I asked.
He didn't say a word. Instead, his fingers gently touched my lips. "Marry me," he whispered.
And that night, I went upstairs with him to his office.
And now, here I was, waiting outside the maternity ward, mocking myself for being such a clueless idiot.
"Marie, what brings you here?" Camdyn said.
I turned around and saw Camdyn Dorsey coming over, helping a gorgeous woman walk by his side.
I didn't really care much about Camdyn, one way or the other.
That night, he took me home and never said a word about the wedding, Jamir, or that stupid bet.
He let me hold onto what little dignity I had left.
I didn't want to say I was here to book an abortion, so I just managed a weak smile and let it slide.
At least Camdyn had the sense not to pry.
He switched gears and said, "This is my sister. I'm just here with her for her pregnancy checkup."
Just then, a voice I could recognize anywhere rang out.
"Camdyn, let's go home," she called.
She was tall, and that long dress made her look even more captivating.
She was the last person I ever wanted to run into.
I wanted to bolt, but she didn't give me a chance.
"Marie? What a coincidence running into you here," Elyse said.
I swallowed the ache in my chest and forced a smile. "Elyse, it's been a while."
Camdyn kept glancing back at me as he walked away.
I thought he was acting kind of weird, but honestly, I just didn't have the energy to think about it right now necause Elyse was sitting right across from me.
She was draped in the suit jacket Jamir had worn at the wedding.
"Are you pregnant?" Elyse asked, her eyes searching my face.
I tightened my grip on the glass, trying to steady my nerves.
"Yes," I said quietly.
Even though I was the one Jamir married, sitting across from Elyse, I couldn't help but feel utterly inadequate.
Elyse looked at me, her eyes searching. "Did Jamir tell you?" she asked softly.
After that night, when Jamir answered her call, I never saw him again.
Elyse burst out laughing.
"Come on, you're literally in the maternity ward. How could I not know?" she said, her voice full of sarcasm.
She tugged Jamir's suit jacket tighter around her, a smirk on her face.
"Besides, Jamir doesn't even know you're pregnant," she scoffed.
My heart dropped, shock written all over my face.
"He doesn't know?" I asked.
'How could he not know?' I wondered, completely thrown.
A month ago, when I found out I was pregnant, I sent him a message right away.
And that very same day, he popped the question.
That day, I made two posts on Instagram.
One was the ring and roses Jamir gave me when he popped the question. Everyone could see that one.
The other was a snapshot of my medical report, showing I was two weeks pregnant.
But I set it so only Jamir could see it.
After that, Jamir stopped getting close to me. I figured he was just worried about the baby.