Wake Me I'm Dreaming: WOKE UP SERIES, #2

By Latoya Garrett

My life is amazing. I got my sweet Candy and my bonus son. My business is flourishing and my wallet getting fatter. Man, all I know is…God is good.

Then she shows back up, and all hell breaks loose. Then, I suffer a head injury resulting in years of memories lost. When I do open my eyes, I get the surprise of a lifetime.

Candy ain't my Candy anymore.

My sister, Yaz, says this is just a dream. It's more like a freaking nightmare.

I need somebody to wake me asap.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Latoya Garrett
• Release date: Sep 10, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223000723

Latoya Garrett

Latoya Garrett was raised in a small town in Louisiana. She has a BA in psychology and a certification in wedding planning. She’s a fulltime author and blogger. Her podcast, Purposely Pure is currently in the works. In her free time, she is a background actor for shows and movies filmed in Louisiana. Latoya is an avid reader who loves to discover new authors. Urban romance is her favorite genre. Her faith and family are top priorities right along with encouraging others. Gospel and 90s R&B are the music genres she goes to for inspiration and nostalgia. Comedic television also holds a special place in her heart.

Book preview

synopsis.

My life is amazing. I got my sweet Candy and my bonus son. My business is flourishing and my wallet getting fatter. Man, all I know is...God is good.

Then she shows back up, and all hell breaks loose. Then, I suffer a head injury resulting in years of memories lost. When I do open my eyes, I get the surprise of a lifetime.

Candy ain’t my Candy anymore.

My sister Yaz says this is just a dream. It’s more like a freaking nightmare.

I need somebody to wake me asap.

dedication.

To the good guy, continue to be good. Your goodness is valuable.

To the woman who’s been hurt, get healed so you can recognize and be loved by the good guy.

VERNON

Sweat trickled down my face as I tried my best to stay focused on the pair of lush lips moving in front of me. Man, I loved watching those lips move, especially when they were glossed up just like I liked them. And her soup coolers were glistening in the candlelight, making me wish we were alone.

But right now, I could barely focus on them. My nerves were strung tight.

She had no idea what I had planned for her. Really what I planned for us. Tonight could go either way. There was a fifty-fifty chance of me walking out of this overpriced restaurant with my pride obliterated or giving the waiter the rehearsed signal to bring in the celebratory dessert my baby liked.

I hoped for the latter.

My sweetness was still talking about something, completely oblivious to the anxiety rolling off me in waves. Her hands waved around as she continued to describe something about something, but my stomach gurgled.

Leaning to the side and pressing my fist to my thigh to alleviate the pain in my stomach, I grimaced a smile in her direction when she laughed. Now was not the time to get bubble guts.

Imagine trying to propose to your girl, but you gotta cut it short to hit the toilet. Naw man, I can’t go out like that. Tonight had to go right.

But what if she said no?

My stomach griped harder, and I leaned over some more. Whew, Lord, help ya’ boy out and calm my stomach.

Vernon? Vernon!

My head snapped up, Yeah, bae?

Her lips curved upward as she angled her head my way and whispered, Is your stomach hurting? You’re doing the bubble guts lean.

I laughed, my nervousness and stomach eased off some.

Man, I was tripping. Candace loved me, and I loved her. She was going to say yes. Not to sound arrogant or anything. Besides, God had already given me permission. Her yes was guaranteed. And I was ready for the shock, the pause with a hand to her luscious lips then the teary eyes. The Oh my God, babe, are you serious? would come next.

I’m good, I grinned her, feeling excited now. There’s something I want to ask you.

What’s that?

I wiped my hands on my slacks before standing. Her eyes got big when I walked closer to her and lowered to my knee. Gasping, she froze in her seat, and her hand slowly covered her mouth.

Oh my God, babe! Are you serious? Her eyes glistened with unshed tears.

I smirked. 

Candace Ashlee Vaughn, six months ago you and Cam came into my life, and I haven’t been the same since. If you would’ve told I’d be on my knee proposing while trying to keep from airing this place out with my flatulence, I would’ve called you a lie. She laughed while tears rolled down her face. I’ve never loved a woman outside of my mom and my sister the way I love you. And Cam...that’s my lil’ dude. I want y’all both forever. The way you support me, and how you show me possibilities I never even thought about, and how you just know my needs without me having to say a word lets me know God made you just for me. Every morning after I thank God for waking me and giving Him my time, I get up and rush to see you and Cam. I don’t want to have to leave my house anymore. I want to wake up with you beside me for the rest of our lives. With that being said, I opened the ring box, will you marry me?

She bounced in her seat, Yes, baby! Yes! I will marry you!

Sweet relief filled my veins. She said yes.

I slid the ring on her finger and kissed her waiting lips as everyone around us clapped and cheered.

Candy, you just made me the happiest man alive.

She pressed her lips to mine again, I love you, Vernon.

I love you too but uh let me head to the restroom right quick, I quickly stood and walked away, grinning. Her loud giggles followed behind me.

I found my queen.

__

My baby refused to meet my eyes. I sighed, feeling guilty that our night was marred by my need for her. I took celebrating our engagement too far.

I didn’t set out to make her regret even one second of the best days of our lives. It’s just...I couldn’t control it this time. I was overjoyed that she accepted my ring and also overjoyed knowing that everything I set out to do was falling into place.

Finally.

The guilt intensified once I realized I went back on my word to God. I promised Him that I would protect Candy mind, body and spirit to the best of my ability. I failed tonight.

Compromising her relationship with God wasn’t the definition of protection. It was the complete opposite.

God, forgive me, and I promise to do better.

Bae... My voice faltered when I heard her sniff.

Her tears. I couldn’t handle Candy’s tears. They were my kryptonite.

I reached for her, and she jerked away while wiping her face.

Making sure the sheet covered my lower half, I sat up and moved closer to her. She had the sheet hiked up to her neck, her head dipped between her shoulders in shame.

I’m sorry, Candy, I whispered at her back. This is all my fault. I shouldn’t have insisted on us buying the extra bottle of wine, and I shouldn’t have let things get this far. I promised you the last time would be the last time. I hate to see you cry, Candy. Please stop crying.

I hesitantly touched her shoulder. She didn’t pull away, and I took that as a sign to get closer to her but not skin to skin close. It didn’t take much for me to desire her. Just looking at her excited me.

But I had to get my flesh under control. I knew for a fact that Candy was the one I’d been waiting for.

Bae, listen. I’m sorry I didn’t keep my word, an-

Her voice husky with tears cut me off. Sex is what ruined my relationship with Damian.

Anger swelled up in my chest, but I tamped it down. I’m not Damian.

Candy turned over, careful to keep her body shielded from me. Her beautiful face glistened with tears. The guilt tortured me.

I know you’re not Damian. I’m not saying that you are Vern. But me compromising my faith for temporary pleasure outside of marriage damaged our relationship. Of course, him cheating repeatedly also contributed to the demise of our relationship, but I used my body to try to keep a man that didn’t want to be kept. I knew better then, and I know better now. I don’t want to repeat the mistakes of my past.

More tears dropped from her eyes.

I looked around my bedroom, took in the rumpled sheets on the bed and then to our state of undress. The magnitude of where we were and what we’d finished doing settled on my shoulders.

I gotta do better. I’m gonna do better.

First, I reached for her hand, I’m not going anywhere. I want to be kept by you, Candy. Damian was the biggest fool for even fumbling you. You are one of the best things that’s ever happened to me, and I won’t make the mistake of not exercising control ever again. I promise this is the last time.

This is not all on you, she said, waving her hand between us. I participated too. I could’ve stopped you, but I didn’t. Candy looked away and wiped an errant tear before looking back at me. I’m ashamed because I broke my promise to God.

I could hear the shame in her trembling voice.

Candy told me at the beginning of our relationship that she was committed to being abstinent until marriage. Having a child out of wedlock with a man who continuously broke her trust with his ex-girlfriend gave her the wakeup call she needed to get back right with God and be a better example for Cameron.

And here I was dredging up those old feelings, reminding her of that tumultuous time in her life.

I had to make this right, so I suggested we both get dressed and finish our conversation in the kitchen downstairs.

Grabbing a change of clothes, I quickly went to one of the guestrooms and took a shower. As I lathered my body, I asked God to forgive me and help me to keep my flesh under control. Flashes of our lovemaking infiltrated my prayer, and I rebuked them. I refused to allow this to ever happen again.

I finished my shower, dressed and headed down to the kitchen. The kitchen was empty. I took the time to get a couple bottles of water and make a couple turkey sandwiches. Candy loved my turkey sandwiches.

Candy walked in a few minutes later. Instead of the bodycon dress she wore at dinner, she had on one of my shirts and a pair of my shorts.

She was simply beautiful. From her smooth, blemish-free brown skin, full set of lips, dark brown eyes, dense head of sisterlocks to her eye-catching curvy body.

She was mine.

All mine.

And I couldn’t lose her over sex.

Candy slipped onto the barstool across from me and reached for a plate. We ate in silence for a few minutes.

I wiped my mouth and gulped my water down. Candy, we messed up tonight, but we won’t again. I know God forgives us, but we have to forgive ourselves for messing up. As your man and future husband, I have to protect you better- us better.

Her attention remained on her plate, but she softly answered, Forgiving myself is the hard part.

I agreed.

I too promised God I wouldn’t allow my flesh rule me after my last situation. My nose was wide open for my ex, like I was under her spell. Deep under her spell. Once I came to my senses, I promised God that the next woman I’d sleep with would be my wife.

Technically, I honored that promise, but technically I didn’t at the same time.

I’m choosing to forgive myself, and...I forgive you for allowing me to make love to you.

Her head snapped up at that last part. She fought back a smile while playfully narrowing her eyes at me. You forgive me?

I smirked, Yep, I forgive you.

A small giggle escaped past her beautiful lips.

Mission accomplished. I sighed in relief, knowing we were going to be okay. We were going to get over this hurdle and make sure we refrained from doing-like my dad says-the horizontal hokey pokey. All bets would be off once we said, I do.

In that case, I forgive you too. And I forgive myself, her expression softened, and the carefree light I enjoyed seeing whenever I looked into her eyes returned. "Tonight was special. The dinner and the proposal. We messed up afterwards, but I’m not ashamed of saying yes to you. I don’t regret letting you into my life, Vern. Cam loves you. You are the father he’s never had in Damian. You’ve shown me that there are good- no great men who love God and still respect and cherish women. Thank you