"So how's it been going, Miss I'm Madly in Love with my Best Friend? I need all the details," Aaliyah probed, leaning against her locker.
Our shift was over, but we couldn't talk too much because we were so busy today. She'd only gotten snippets, but I had time today since Trek picked up Junior from June and Deshoni from his last day at daycare. I placed a section of hair behind my ear and faced her.
"It's going so wonderful. I'm really seen, valued, and appreciated. Trek is so intentional with me and purposeful. Not to mention, I was being dicked down on the regular, and well, honey."
"Aah!" Aaliyah gave a girlish scream.
I joined her, and we jumped up and down excitedly, holding hands. It felt so good to be able to share how good I was being loved on in the right way.
We calmed down, and Aaliyah gave my hands a little squeeze before she released them. "Travel, I'm so damn happy for you. You deserve all the happiness and prosperity that come your way. Mook was the obstacle God placed in your life to overcome so you could receive the blessing he had planned for you all along. Trek is and will forever be the best man. Your love story is so inspiring that it makes authors like myself appreciate our craft even more. I love a good friends-to-lovers romance. Enjoy every minute you guys spend together and never hesitate to voice what bothers you or makes you feel good. What am I saying? Trek yearns for you. Hell, he knows what you need before you even open your mouth. That's a good man, Savannah!" Aaliyah expressed with her hands clasped together. She was such a hopeless romantic.
We laughed loudly at her Savannah comment. Aaliyah was funny as hell.
"You know I appreciate you, boo. Thank you for always supporting me mentally and emotionally. Now that we're all caught up with my life, what's new with you? Don't leave anything out," I asserted, while getting ready to leave.
"Everything is still the same, but I am going to Alaska after the new year," she nonchalantly stated.
My brows scrunched together before what she said settled in. When my eyes widened, she nodded with a big grin on her face. She had done it.
"You did it! You won the romance mystery writer's competition!" I yelled.
"Yes, I did! They loved my story."
"Ahh!" We screamed together, jumping up and down again.
"Aaliyah! This is fantastic news. It's incredible news. I'm so damn happy for you. Tell me all the details," I excitedly voiced.
"It's an all-inclusive paid trip to a family-owned cabin in Juniper, Alaska. I'll be there for two weeks, exploring nature and finishing up the book with the other few contestants who won from other states. We're creating a mystery anthology book. The book will be published in Alaska and distributed all over the country," she explained.
I grinned from ear to ear. I was so happy for my girl. "I know that's right, boo. You deserve this and so much more. Do you want me to keep Yaevah for you?"
"Thank you, baby, and nope, you're off the hook. My cousin, Perrae, and her husband will watch him for me."
"Okay, that's cool. I'm praying you have a great time there and meet you one of them big ass mountain men to blow yo' back out," I joked.
Aaliyah chuckled, closing her locker at the same time I did. "Listen, from yo' lips to God's ears because it's sholl been a minute. I don't even know if homegirl still works."
I laughed as we exited the employee lounge and then the restaurant. "Oh, she works. When it's time, she'll purr for the right one. But in the meantime, I'll catch you later. Send me your departure information because I wanna get you a gift before you leave. Text me what you need or want, and I got you."
"Okay, will do. Thanks again, sis," she affirmed.
"No problem at all."
We hugged goodbye and parted ways for our cars.
It was so damn cold out. The winter season was in full swing in Chicago. That damn wind chill took no prisoners. Anybody could feel its wrath. I hurriedly climbed into my car and started it up. The heat kicked in, so I drove home.
With the boys already at home, I had time to marinate my meats for Christmas dinner. I didn't have to make any extra stops. Christmas Eve was in a few days, and the boys and I were officially on Christmas vacation.
Praise God for Trek's flexible schedule. Now, all I had to do was some last-minute Christmas preparations, and I was free to rest. I switched lanes and dodged the black-iced roads.
Within twenty minutes, I pulled up to Trek's gate, entered the code, and cruised up his driveway. My tired bones guided me into the house. It was quiet on the first level, so I climbed the stairs and decided to stop by Junior's room first.
I quickly tossed my things on my bed and headed to my boys. I had a feeling Deshoni was with him. Junior loved his little god brother so much.
He wanted more siblings, but from the looks of things, both Trek and June were done in that department. However, at the rate that he and I fucked, it was only a matter of time before Junior got a sibling. His door was open, so I stepped in with a smile.
Junior sat in his gaming chair with his headset on. Deshoni was next to him in his own chair, eating and smearing his snacks all over Junior's extra controller. It wasn't on, but that's how Junior kept him content.
