Her car was exactly where she’d left it, but now there were two dozen red roses and large shopping bags on the hood.
“What did you do? When?” she asked, but she was already smiling.
“Just a little something. To say thank you. I had a bomb ass day, best I’ve had in a minute. I appreciate that more than I can say. And I’m a rich ass man, I gotta spend this shit somewhere. I’m tryna spend it on you.”
She buried her face in the flowers, breathed in deep, then looked up at me with eyes that were a little too shiny. She turned quickly and pulled the box out of the bag.
“Is this the Jodie bag from Bottega Veneta?”
“It is.”
She revealed the bag—deep burgundy leather, bold and clean, a color that would pop every time she wore it. Her fingers trembled as she gripped the handles. I kissed her forehead, then her nose, then her lips. “Now put your flowers and your bag in the car and get out of here before we’re going to pick Brixxi up together.”
She did as I said, carefully placing the roses in the passenger seat and the shopping bag in the back. When she turned back to me, she was still smiling.
I watched her pull out of the parking garage, watched until her taillights disappeared, then headed back to my office. My phone buzzed before I even made it to the elevator.
Angel:I had a bomb ass day too. See you Friday.
Me:Drive safe. Text me when you’re home.
Angel:I will.
I pocketed my phone and headed up to the office. I was going to do my best to catch up on the work I’d been dodging, but it was hard as fuck with her juices in my beard, her laugh on repeat, her moans still in my ears. The thought had me adjusting my slacks.
I stayed at the office a bit longer so I could finish what needed to be done. After that, I went home. I had an early practice tomorrow, so I ate, showered, and watched Just Wright for real.
The movie was at the part where Scott finally realizes he’s been looking at the wrong woman the whole time, when my phone rang. I smiled before I even looked at the screen.
“You miss me already?” I answered.
“Lowkey,” she giggled. “But you better not tell anybody.”
“Your secret is safe with me, baby. I can be your little secret.”
“Be serious, DaVinci. What are you doing?”
“I’m actually watching this damn movie,” I laughed.
She laughed, soft and warm. “I just wanted to say Goodnight. Enjoy the movie.”
“Goodnight, Angel.”
I hung up and looked back at the TV. Scott was finally seeing what had been in front of him the whole time. The right woman. The real one.
I knew exactly how he felt.
Because I’d found mine too, and I wasn’t about to fumble her.
The flight back from Dallas was only three hours, but my knee made it feel like eight.
I’d iced it during halftime. Popped two Advil before the fourth quarter. Smiled through the post-game press conference while my lower back screamed. Now I was home, alone at two in the morning, and I couldn’t even make it up the stairs to my bedroom. The couch would have to do.
I lowered myself down slowly, every muscle protesting. The cushions caught me, and I let out a breath I didn’t know I’d been holding. My phone buzzed on the coffee table. Halo’s name lit up the screen with a text.
Angel:You make it home safe?
Me:Yeah. Just got in.
