And this is where he proposed to me, Lela cried on the inside.
She held her ring finger up to meet his eyes. A diamond and gold engagement ring sparkled there. He had given it to her only one week prior. It was not much, but she had been proud to wear it.
"Did this ring mean anything to you, Ty?" Lela's voice was barely above a whisper.
He opened his mouth, but she raised her hand to cut off whatever variation of the truth he would attempt to come out the bag with. She would not allow him to sugarcoat the situation this time, as he had done so many times before.
"What do you think you are doing? I mean...really." She took a look around. "I have to say this is a nice place for a date, but have you no shame?"
Confusion consumed him as he tried to figure a way out of this mess. When he didn't respond, Lela continued her tongue lashing.
"One week…just one week ago you proposed to me. Then, the next week, you're out here about to suck another woman's finger off her hand-in the same place and even the same booth." She waved her hands over the scene. "At least you treat all your women equal," she said sarcastically. " What's your plan, to keep me around long enough to get your business off the ground and then leave me for your white girlfriend? Let me guess. You expect me to suck it up and be the butt end of this joke, huh?"
Tyrese attempted to take her hand in his, but she snatched her hand away with such force that he shook. He opened his mouth, but only air came out.
"Don't you ever touch me again!" Lela shouted. "Touch that bitch!" She pointed toward his car, where his date had disappeared to.
"She's a friend. That's all, Lee," he finally found his voice to speak.
She smirked. "You take me for a special kind of fool, don't you?
However, this is crystal clear. In my heart of hearts, I knew you'd been playing me, but I always gave you the benefit of the doubt. I believed what you told me. But, now that I've walked up and touched you, playa, let's keep it simple."
He reached for her again, still trying to think of a way to explain himself.
"Ty, life is too short for this mess. The only reason I came in here-and interrupted you and your snow bunny-was so you could not squirm your way out of the truth."