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“Why?”

“Because I got another outing planned for us.”

“If it’s anything like today then I’m ready for it.”

“Alright. Remember your words.”

Chapter 25

Lourdes

When Armias said he had another outing planned for us I thought it would be another date night in New Orleans. I had no idea this man had booked us a first class flight and a hotel at the Setai in Miami for three days. The very next morning after our full day out, I woke up to a brand new Hello Kitty luggage set with a note telling me to pack for warm weather and three days. I was conflicted because the first thing I thought about was my baby, but a vacation somewhere with nice weather did sound nice. Putting my mixed feelings to the side, I did what the note said. I didn’t learn that we were going to Miami until we got to the airport the following morning. I preferred going out of the country for tropical vacations, but Miami was close enough for a last minute thing and with me being a new mom. The flight was only two and half hours long, so we could return home in a timely manner if we needed to.

I was so sure that I’d be devastated about leaving Alouri behind for the first time. I’d convinced myself that there was no way I could possibly go on a mini vacay and have fun while my month old baby was back at home. Yet we’d only been in Miami for about four hours and I was not feeling an ounce of guilt about being away from my baby. I was actually having the time of my life with my man. Of course we called and checked on her twice, plus my mom and grandma were giving us live updates in the form of pictures and videos. It was easy for me to not worry and enjoy myself because my baby was in great hands. Had Armias not forced this random vacation on me I would have never known that I was capable of letting go, stepping out, and not being consumed with stressing over Alouri.

“Would y’all like to take some pictures? The first two are free.” A young, black man with a fancy camera walked over to us as we walked out of Cactus Club. Armias only used Tik Tok to promote his barbershops, but I consistently dm’d his business page videos of restaurants I wanted to try all over the world. Cactus Club was having a moment because of a resurfaced video from Drake’s IG going viral. I strictly wanted to visit Cactus Club for the peach bellini’s and they lived up to the hype. After having three I was happy, tipsy, and full because the food was really good, too.

“Ooou, yes!” I clapped excitedly. I felt fine as hell in my light denim capris and plain white graphic tank top that said “Pink Princess.” I jazzed the sexy and simple look up with LV x Murakami white multicolor accessories. I wore the headband, the Speedy 30 handbag, the wedged heels, and the matching watch. After accumulating all the pieces I didn’t think I’d ever wear them all at once because it could venture into tacky territory, but my basic white top and jean bottoms pulled everything together perfectly. Of course my man looked just as fly in his white and pink striped Casablanca short set and white Louboutin sneakers. Nearly 30 minutes later we had a bunch of pictures and a few walking videos.

“I miss my baby,” Armias blurted out. He pulled away from kissing me to say it, so Alouri had to be on his mind heavily. We were back in our black truck and our driver was taking us back to the Setai. We had the same driver from my birthday trip and I’d learned that Armias had been referred to him by one of his big homie’s, Johan Martelle. He was from the 10th Ward, too, and his name didn’t only ring bells in New Orleans. Apparently Johan had the monopoly out here in Miami, too, and didn’t mind sharing his connections with his people.

“I wonder what she’s thinking right now.”

I bursted into laughter. “She’s a baby, so I don’t think she’s thinking about much.”

“She probably wondering where we at,” he went on while starring ahead, totally ignoring me.

Right on que, both of our phones vibrated with an incoming text message from my mom. Alouri was sleeping in her crib wearing pink Dior footie pajamas with the matching hat and she had a pink bedazzled pacifier in her mouth with her name on the front.

“Awww, look at mommy’s mini me,” I smiled big while replying with a million heart eye emojis.

“Your mini me? Stop the madness. You know my baby looks just like me,” he smirked.

I rolled my eyes. “That’s fine…you’re not that funny looking, so I don’t care. At the end of the day she’s still my mini me.”

“How, though? The only thing y’all got in common is skin color…and on the real, she could’ve gotten that from my mama.”

“Armias, go to hell,” I hissed. He was trying his hardest to get me worked up and I wasn’t trying to fall for it, but bringing up Rahesha certainly did the trick. He was rage baiting me, but Alouri did resemble that heffa. Even my own mother had acknowledged that. For obvious reasons that irritated me, but Rahesha was very pretty so it wasn’t really an issue.

“Why I gotta go to hell?” He laughed.

“Because you’re trying to aggravate me,” I giggled. “I know Alouri looks like your family, but she’s still my mini me. The same way if we had a son he’d be a little you regardless of if he looks just like me or not.”

That smile disappeared in seconds. “My son would look just like me. Watch and see.”

“Okay, I’m not about to go back and forth with you about this non-existent son,” I giggled. “And let’s stop talking about kids. We’re on vacation.”

“What that mean? I can’t express how much I miss my daughter?”

“What daughter?” I looked around. “We don’t have no daughter for the next three days.”

“Aye, you must be on that shit. I’m not about to disclaim my baby just because she’s not with us.”

“Damn,” I giggled uncontrollably. “I can’t have a fuck them kids feeling?”

“Not about Alouri you can’t. And keep talking like that. I’ma cut this trip short.”

“Oh my goshhh,” I giggled. “Why so serious?”