**
“Mommy deh deh!?” I gasp. He laughs and flips the camera, sure enough, Mommy’s over by the counter chatting with the cashier.
“Oh.” I exhale. That would’ve been awkward. He turns the camera back to himself, still laughing.
“Shoulda see yuh face.”
I smile, biting my lip. “I have to go, Nickoi.”
He frowns. “Mi wah see everything. Weh Gutta deh?”
“He’s outside,” I say. Gutta is the one who drove us here.
“Mek him hold the phone nuh, b… or Gavin. Anybody,” he insists.Awww… him nuh wah miss a thing.
“Everything yuh wah see, bwoy?” I tease.
He sucks his teeth. “Bill nuh.” I laugh and walk over to Gavin because honestly? That walk outside to Gutta is too much.
“Hold this mek Nickoi watch, please,” I say, handing Gavin the phone before settling into the director’s chair. Clova starts adjusting my hair while Candy glides a fresh layer of lip gloss on my lips, then adds a light touch of mascara to my lashes.
“She look pretty, nuh true?” I hear Gavin ask on the phone.
“Everyday thing that, fam,” Nickoi replies with zero hesitation. “All when she wake up she pretty.”Whew.My cheeks flame instantly.
“Den nuh so it fi go? Dolly baddie right through, she not even need all a this,” Clova chimes in, adjusting a strand of my hair.
“Exactly,” Candy agrees, smiling as she finishes my makeup. When it’s finally time to take the photos, I walk over to the backdrop and lower myself to the floor. But I notice Dennis, the photographer, still setting up.
“Okay, we’ll start with a seated shot,” he says, giving me a few simple directions. I follow them as he snaps away, the flash lighting up the backdrop. Then the studio door opens.
“Mami,” a familiar voice calls out, and I turn around beaming. So he’s doing photoshoot too? Nickoi walks in confidently. I just smile. He leans down and kisses my cheek, then greet the crew.
I glance behind him and spot my mom. I walk—okay, run—over to her and she wraps me in her arms. When we pull away, she’s still smiling. “Watch nice,” she says, holding my face. Her eyes shine with pride. I take a second to notice. Mommy gained some weight. Mi love this for her. She looks good and happy.
“Thanks, Mommy,” I laugh softly.
When I turn back around, I see Nickoi shirtless now, still in his denim jeans and wearing his Rolex. Yumm.
“Ready now,” Dennis starts. “Let’s do the standing shots Zara.”His assistant comes over to help me up and gently straightens my dress. I do some solo shots, Gavin cheering me on. I’m already in love with those shots.
Dennis tilts the camera, showing previews. After that round, I take a short break. My nose is glistening from the heat, so I reapply some powder and Candy dabs a little extra gloss on my lips.
I shift into position, and Nickoi kneels in front of me. Just like the night he proposed. I smile, heart full, as he looks up at me with those eyes. That look, that same intense, soft, sexy stare, makes me a little nervous, even now.
“This brings back memories,” I whisper, hoping to distract myself.
“Mhmm.” He smiles again.
“Ready?” Dennis calls.
“Born ready,” Nickoi answers, then leans forward and gently kisses my bump. I smile for the camera as the shutter captures it all.
“Clean,” Dennis says.
“Mi love this!” Mommy exclaims behind us.
“This affi frame, Aunty!” Gavin adds, practically glowing. I grin at them both, soaking in the love, then walk over to my salad while Nickoi chats with Dennis and the others. I lift the cover, ready to eat, when I see a hand place a phone beside me. Nickoi’s hand.
