Page 70 of Surrender to Love

“And what’s that?”

“We’re going to be all over each other in your bed. I’m waking up in your arms tomorrow to make sure you start your busy Saturday relaxed.”

“Shit, I like the sound of that already. You spoiling a nigga. I should have given you that ring a long time ago,” he jokes.

“It’s more than the ring; it’s that other ring too. You know I love your piercing. But seriously, it’s all of you,” I admit, because this time, I know I got it right. Shiro is my true forever and my heart is safe with him. Knowing that is a feeling I can’t even put into words.

“Nah, baby is all you,” he counters, then I hear someone yell something in the background. “Baby, I gotta go. Have fun with yo’ girls.”

“I love you.”

“Love you, baby.”

I end the call then continue to Seasonal Sweets to pick up my order of mini pineapple upside down cheesecakes with ring toppers. Along with telling them about my engagement, I’m also asking them to be my bridesmaids. I have personalized gift baskets for each of them.

Between traffic and my stop for the cheesecakes, I make it home right on time. Five minutes after arriving home, the workers from A La Carte are ringing my bell. I let the chef, servers, and bartender in and lead them to the kitchen. Then I walk out to the lanai to see the setup. My mouth falls open as soon as I step out. Tae outdid herself.

“Does this feel like Maui?” she asks as she approaches with a smile.

“Does it! Tae, it’s perfect. I didn’t even think about the pool,” I gush.

“When I first surveyed the space, I knew I wanted frangipani floating in the pool. The lights were added once I placed the flowers.”

“I love it. I love everything,” I admit as I take it all in.

My lanai looks like a little piece of Maui. There’s a tiki bar with a raffia-style fringe canopy and wicker bar stools. Lit tiki torches and my firepit provide the right amount of warmth for the cool night. Marquee letters spelling ALOHA with a large pineapple for the O are in one corner and a triple tiki fountain in the other. My favorite is the dining area. In the midst of large arrangements of tropical plants and flowers is the beautifully decorated table, with flower and pineapple centerpieces.

“I’m so glad you like it,” she says.

“Love it.”

“Is the bartender here? I can show her the tiki bar before we leave.”

“Yes. She’s in the kitchen. You can follow me in.”

“Good and we’ll be here tomorrow to pick everything up after nine.”

“That’s fine. Use the same codes to access everything and thank you so much again. I’m in love.”

“Just leave us a review,” she says with a smile.

“Of course.”

Tae follows me into the house. I start to introduce everyone but they are already acquainted, so I leave them and journey upstairs to get ready. I need to shower, get my braids together, then change into a cute tropical print, wide leg jumpsuit.

When I open my bedroom door to head downstairs, my nose is instantly blessed with the delicious smells coming from the kitchen. On the menu are ahi tuna poke tasting spoons, Kona coffee braised short ribs, huli huli chicken, Yukon gold and taro root mashed potatoes, and sauteed baby bok choy. Shiro ordered those ribs on our last night in Maui and I’ve been craving them since. I also chose the ribs for him.

“This smells so good,” I tell them as soon as I enter the kitchen.

“We’re almost done and will be ready for service right at seven,” Kiki, the chef, says.

“Let’s say seven-fifteen. One of them will inevitably be late. I just need the drinks ready on time for sure.”

“The bar is all set and the two drinks you requested are ready to be sampled and approved,” she says.

I requested a Mai Tai and a pineapple margarita. Rum is really popular in Hawaii but I need my tequila.

“Thanks. Before I go out, I just need to make sure there’s a slab of ribs put up.”