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“That shit felt…different, didn’t it?” he asked quietly.
“It did.” I swallowed, trying to wet my dry throat. I couldn’t put my finger on it but my heart kept telling me that was what it felt like to make love. That was what it felt like to let go of every problem and fall head-first into your soulmate.
“I want it to always feel like that. Like there’s nothing else in the world but me and you.” He eased out of me and laid beside me in bed, staring into my fucking soul. I reached my hand up to his face and caressed his cheek.
“Me, too,” I told him.
“You sure?” he quizzed, lifting an eyebrow.
“More than sure, Bakari. I’m so in love with you.” My eyes flitted over his face, taking in every inch of his beauty.
“And I can’t see anyone but you. I’m in this deep, deep. I love you, too.” He kissed my forehead and held me in his arms until I fell asleep.
…
Bakari rented Marcus Jackson’s entire restaurant out so he could invite me, his brothers, his mother, Junior, and Daniel, and my family to dinner. Of course, only Zee showed up for me, but that was all I needed.
He’d said we all needed to blow off some steam after everything that happened and I agreed. I wanted a chance to relax and not look over my shoulder.
“Look at you, Sanai,” Hakim said, smirking. “You’re glowing, girl. Lil brother must be treating you good, huh?”
“Mind your nosey ass business, Hakim. Go find something to eat.” I laughed, waving him away, but of course, he didn’t budge.
“You good, though? It’s been a few weeks. Some of the dust has had a chance to settle.” The humor left his eyes and was replaced by compassion.
“Yeah, I’m doing okay. Thanks for asking.” He pulled me in for a side hug and then released me. His attention was diverted when Marcus started bringing out the food and the music started playing in the background. “All it takes is food to pull you away from a conversation, huh?” I chuckled.
“You know what time it is with me, man. The food comes out and I get ready.” When he saw my girl Lyric come out with Marcus, he sucked his teeth. “He just keeps making me try her damn food,” he fussed.
“She’s his sous chef, Hakim. Why do you hate her so much?” I laughed, folding my arms. “We were in college together and she’s the sweetest girl. So real.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
“You seemed to like her food at the repass,” I pointed out.
“That was grief-eating,” he told me, sniffing and tipping his chin up. He had the same rich skin tone as Bakari but he shared the shape of his eyes with Maasai. They must have gotten it from their father because Bakari looked exactly like his mother.
“So you’ll only decide if Lyric is cool if you like her food?” I prodded, nudging him with my elbow.
“If her food is good, then she’ll be okay in my book.” He shrugged his wide shoulders and watched Marcus and Lyric like a hawk while they set up. “You think Marcus is fucking with her?” he asked me.
“Why? Do you want to fuck with her?”
“Did I say that?” He frowned, looking exactly like his little brother.
“Your actions speak for themselves. You haven’t stopped staring at her since she walked out.”
“It’s the food. Don’t read into shit, Sinclair.” He still didn’t take his eyes off her, though. I didn’t blame him. Lyric was gorgeous.
“Hey, everyone,” Marcus said, clapping his hands together. Lyric stood beside him, beaming with a gorgeous smile that lit her face up. Hakim seemed to notice too because his ass wasn’t looking at the food, he was staring directly at her. “I’m glad to see everyone alive and well and together,” he said across the room. “Thank you, Breeze, for always supporting me.” He pressed a hand to his chest and Bakari lifted his wine glass in Marcus’ direction. I couldn’t help but smile up at him.
My man.
He still hadn’t officially asked me. Every time I reminded him of that when he demanded I call him my man while he was inside of me, he ignored me. Typical.
“Tonight, I want y'all to show some support to my sous chef, Lyric. All the dishes prepared tonight were cooked by her. I wanted to let her get her feet wet amongst family. I already told her that every face she sees in this restaurant tonight has her back the same way y'all have had mine, so don’t disappoint.” He shot a discerning look right at Hakim.
Everyone else cheered for Lyric and shouted out words of confidence. Hakim remained reserved. I didn’t know why, though. I’d never seen the man be picky about food until it came to Lyric.
