Page 1 of When Love Takes Root

Morning always found Jamal before it found me.

I first noticed him by the rise and fall of his chest under my cheek and weight of his arm across my waist. Soft morning light spilled through the curtains, warming the brown skin I’d loved for fifteen years. I stayed there, caught between sleep and the quiet of our home.

His lips brushed my temple before he kissed my cheek and the corner of my mouth, making me moan and pull the blanket higher.

“Baby, what ya doing?” I asked, my voice still thick with sleep.

“I’m celebrating.”

“It’s six in the morning.”

“Exactly.”

After fifteen years of marriage, Jamal Coleman still woke up smiling like life had given him more joy than he could hold. He looked at me with the same playful confidence that first pulled me in at Self Ridge State University.

“You’re doing the most already.”

“Our anniversary’s tomorrow. What you expect?”

I rolled onto my back and stretched beneath the covers. “Fifteen years, and you’re still acting brand new.”

“Fifteen years still trying to impress you, baby.” My cheeks warmed. “You’re blushing.”

“I am not,” I said.

“You are.”

“Jamal.”

“That’s my name.”

I smacked his chest and laughed. “You’re ridiculous.”

“And you said yes anyway,” Jamal countered.

“You proposed outside that Mexican restaurant in the rain.”

“And you still said yes,” Jamal said.

“You were shaking so hard you almost dropped the ring.”

“I was nervous.”

“You were terrified.”

“I was in love.”

“Well, I’m still glad I said yes,” I said softly.

“Best decision I ever made,” Jamal confessed.

He kissed me like he had all the time in the world.

When he pulled back, he pressed his forehead to mine.

“Let’s pray before our squad get unruly,” Jamal said.

“Let’s do it,” I agreed.