Page 86 of Surrender to Love

She’s crying.

Fuck! I didn’t want that…

Shit. Not at all.

When she turns back around, there’s a forced smile on her face but it’s clear she’s emotional and I get it. I hate that she’s crying but I’m glad she’s going to fix things, or at least try, with Kyrah. My mission is complete, but only time will tell if it’s accomplished though. Either way, it’s time for me to go.

“Thanks for agreeing to see me and for the coffee,” I tell her and she nods slowly. “It’s getting late and I’ve been here too long already. I can let myself out.”

“Okay,” she mutters lowly. When I start to walk out of the kitchen, she calls out, “Wait.” I stop and turn back toward her. “Thank you.”

“For?”

While nodding, she says, “For loving her enough to come here and talk to me. She deserves that and so much more. I’m going to make this right.”

“Please do,” I say, then slip on my shoes and leave.

TWENTY-ONE

Crescent Falls is an amazing city full of so much history and beauty. To celebrate Valentine’s Day, Shiro is taking me to one of the city’s gems, The Butterfly Garden. It’s a picturesque, indoor, dome-shaped glass structure that houses an array of butterflies, flowers, and plants. Patrons are free to tour and explore the garden year-round, and during the winter months, it hosts Winter Night Lights. Tonight is the Night of Love show.

I’ve visited the garden but I’ve never been to the light show. Although the back entrance of the garden has a stoned path that leads to the Bella House, a historical home converted to an event space and upscale restaurant, during the Night of Love, cozy food and drink stations will be throughout the garden and couples are encouraged to pack picnic baskets to enjoy in their private pods while watching the show. Because my cooking skills, although improving, are limited, I picked up the food and snacks for our basket from The Marketplace, Seasonal Sweets, and Abuelito’s.

“Baby, the show is only two hours,” he says after leaning down and looking into our basket. His arms encase me from behind then he kisses the side of my neck. “How much did you get?”

“I got enough. It’s a variety but not too much; it just looks like it is. We have mini pretzel bun sliders, turkey and ham, fruit and cheese, my favorite guacamole and chips, those grilled jalapenos you like, and chocolate covered strawberries. Oh and these have bourbon and tequila in them,” I tell him while picking through the items. “I’m done and I’ll be ready in about thirty minutes.”

“You good. It doesn’t start till eight. We got time.”

I close the basket then turn to face him. “Happy Valentine’s Day,” I say and he chuckles.

“It was happy when you woke me up this morning.” He smirks then kisses my lips so passionately. “Just so you know, you can do that shit every morning. Opening my eyes to you on top of me after feeling your warm pussy smothering my dick was spectacular.”

“It was a treat for me too,” I admit, then smile. “We’ll repeat it tonight after the light show. Let me get ready before something starts.”

“Shit,” he groans, then presses his body into mine. “We can start and finish right here, right now.”

“Later. I love you and I love fucking you but I’m not missing this light show.”

After patting his chest, I ease away from him and walk out of the kitchen. I honestly can be ready in just a few minutes. I moisturized my scalp and braids earlier and my face is done. During the winter months, I keep it simple with just my favorite moisturizing toner and my signature lip combo of burgundy liner and gloss. Once I put on my jeans, sweater, and boots, I’ll be ready.

The moment I’m in my closet, my cell rings so I grab my outfit and walk out. It’s a FaceTime from Reya. As soon as my face fills the screen, she fires off.

“You are not going to believe this!” she exclaims as she holds up a small teddy bear and mini balloon on a plastic stick.

“Aww. Quintus got you that? It’s cute,” I tease, then laugh because I know her husband didn’t just get her that for Valentine’s Day. That is not his style at all.

“Bitch, no. Please. Jordan got this?”

“Jordan? Jordan who? Why does that name sound familiar? He works at the courthouse?”

“Girl, no. He’s a child. Well, a disrespectful little boy,” she huffs.

“Is that the little boy next door?”

“No,” she responds and I give up. Luckily, she spares me from this guessing game. “Jordan from Niya’s pre-K class. Remember, when I had to do the muffins and mom day for the kindergarteners. He was the little rude ass boy I didn’t want to get a muffin for. I ended up getting him that⁠—”

“Bitch,” I interrupt, remembering exactly who she’s talking about. “Not the boy you bought that little ass muffin for.” I laugh, picturing the photos she sent in the group text. “He brought her that teddy bear and balloon? Is he even in her class again?” I ask as I sit on my bed. Shiro walks in right as I sit. He eyes me when he sees me on the phone instead of getting dressed.