I looked him right in the eyes, then slowly, dramatically, checked the “Yes” box.
He smiled wide. “Damn right.”
I leaned in and kissed him. When we pulled apart, I whispered, “How did you know? I told myself I wouldn’t spend another holiday alone.”
He shrugged, his voice lower. “I just felt it.”
Another kiss. Longer this time.
I held the bouquet with one hand, the poster board tucked under my arm, and just hugged him like I didn’t want to let go.
He kissed my forehead and said, “I’ll be back to get you tomorrow. Around one.”
I smiled. “Okay. I’ll be ready.”
I turned and headed into the hotel, hugging that damn glittery poster board like it was a rare artifact.
That man. That man…
11
Lyrix
Valentine’s Day. <3
I was sitting at the vanity in my hotel room, blending concealer under my eyes with the kind of focus only a woman holding back tears could master. My Bluetooth speaker was playing Sade low in the background, and the entire room smelled like roses and strawberries.
Because, of course he made sure I had some delivered.
Four dozen roses.
Four.
A big ass box arrived that morning with my name on it, and when I opened it, it was like a garden bloomed in my hotel room. They were red, tucked between green stems like love had roots in the vase. And the edible arrangement was a fruit bouquet.Pineapples cut into hearts, chocolate-dipped strawberries, and grapes all skewered up fancy. He was already showing out, and it wasn’t even noon yet.
As I sat there brushing bronzer across my cheeks, my heart started to sink a little because reality was creeping in like a whisper I didn’t want to hear.
I fly back home tomorrow.
And honestly, part of me didn’t want to go. I picked up my phone and FaceTimed my best friend Syn. She answered on the second ring, still laying in bed with her bonnet on her head.
“What’s up, Valentine?” she teased. “You’re glowing, bitch.”
I gave her a weak smile. “Girl…”
She sat up instantly. “What’s up? You okay?”
I nodded. “Yeah. I’m good. I’m just… I don’t know. It’s hitting me that I leave tomorrow.”
Her eyes softened. “Damn. That was fast?”
“It flew by,” I said, setting my makeup brush down. “And I’ve had so much fun. Like… stupid fun. Healing fun. The kind of fun most people only dream about.”
She laughed. “That’s the best kind.”
I smiled. “It’s just… this trip changed me,” I said, finally letting the words settle in my chest. “It really did. I came out here to live out this vision board, to be wild, soft, and sexy again. I told myself I just needed to feel something that wasn’t sadness or routine.”
She nodded. “And you did that.”
