It Started at the Diner- A Devin Booker Story

Chapter Twenty-one--The Next Step

Schneider looks at him. "We're actually pretty great," he says. Him and Avery got back together a couple months ago, and Schneider was now 3 and a half months sober.

"That's good, man. I'm happy for you." They dap each other, and Devin's phone starts ringing. "Oh, hang on." He answers when he sees that it was Melanie. "Hey, baby."

Melanie sighs, stressfully. "Hey, babe," she replies. "Is your brother busy tonight?"

Devin starts getting confused. "Why?"

"Can you both come over tonight?" she asks him. "I have a problem, and I need him to look over something for me."

"What is it?" Devin asks, sounding concerned.

"My finances," she replies. "My landlord is thinking of going condo, and I don't know if I can afford a down payment for it."

Devin nods, even though she can't see him. "Okay, I'll text him your address."

"Thank you, Devin," she replies.

Devin smiles. "No problem, babe. We're always here for you. I'll see you tonight, okay?"

Melanie smiles. "Okay. I love you."

Devin's smile grows. "I love you, too, babe." They hang up, and Devin looks at Schneider.

"Everything okay?" Schneider asks.

Devin sighs. "Yeah, Mel's just got some financial issues going on," he replies, not wanting to go too much into it.

Schneider nods, understanding what he meant. "Okay, well, I gotta get going. I'm having dinner with the Alvarez's tonight."

Devin chuckles at him. "Man, why are you always messin' wit' 'em?"

Schneider gives him a look. "It's not messing with them if I'm part of the family."

Devin shakes his head. "Get outta here, man." They go in for a bro-hug, and Devin goes to get ready for dinner with Melanie.

~Two hours later~

Devin rings Melanie's doorbell with a bouquet of roses in his left hand, and she immediately opens it. "Hey," she says, with a smile on her face.

Devin smiles back. "Hey, baby," he says. He kisses her as he walks into the apartment. "Davon is on his way, he's just leaving his office."

Melanie nods. "Okay, no rush," she replies as she closes the door. "I just put dinner in the oven."

Devin starts getting excited. "Oh, what are you making?" he asks. He hands her the roses.

She takes the flowers from him. "Uh, baked tilapia with asparagus," she replies.

He smiles. "Sounds good, mamas," he says.

They smile and meet in the middle for a kiss. "Thank you for my flowers."

"Of course." He pecks her lips. "Well, since we still have some time before Davon gets here, I wanna give you something." He leads them over to the couch.

She gives him a look as they take a seat. "What is it?" She puts the bouquet down on her coffee table.

He takes a deep breath. "I just wanna tell you that I love you so much, and I really like being with you." He takes her hands.

She starts feeling scared. "You're not breaking up with me, are you?"

He immediately shakes his head. "No, I'm not." He lets go of one of her hands to reach into his pocket. He holds the black box up. "I'm not asking you to marry me." He takes another deep breath as he opens the box. Why do I feel like I'm actually proposing? "This is my promise to you. I promise to love you and take care of you, no matter the circumstances. I'll love you forever."