He cracked a smile. “Yeah, I do.”
She got out first, smoothing her hands down her skirt, nerves jumping around in her chest like a trapped heartbeat. When Zaire came around the front of the car, she held her hand out to him.
He took it without question.
“Welcome to your carriage in the sky,” The pretty blond flight attendant smiled, having already gotten the script form Meadow.
“Hello,” Meadow cheesed, extra giggly to be doing something for her man.
Zaire greeted the woman too.
They approached the steps together and he followed her up to whatever surprise she had waiting.
Inside the jet, Meadow had everything set up. Soft lighting…blankets…his favorite snacks like the weird expensive trail mix he swore helped his swing. She even paid extra for him to be able to smoke his weed.
A little speaker in the corner played something slow…something warm…something she knew he wouldn’t complain about.
He looked around, hands in his pockets, shaking his head slowly.
“What is all this?”
“A date,” Meadow said softly, “for you.”
Zaire tilted his head. “Why?”
She sucked in air because this was the part she practiced, the part she wanted to get perfect. “I wanted you to see the world you’re building for me…through my eyes.”
He grabbed his heart. “Aye,” his voice was so light, he barely recognized it.
Meadow stepped closer until she had both hands on his chest. “You fix everything for me. You protect me even when you mad at me. You show up for my Mama, you take care of my Daddy and love your Mama. You even let these kids climb all over you like you ain’t the best golfer walking this earth.” Her voice trembled. “You give me so much…and I wanna give you something too.”
She gestured at the jet, her smile softening into something almost shy.
“This is what you deserve. Soft things…nice things…a world that don’t take from you, every time you breathe.”
Zaire stumbled back. He grabbed her by the waist and lifted her effortlessly onto the leather seat.
She yelped. “Ba-!”
“You talk too damn much,” he muttered, stepping between her knees.
She grinned, brushing her thumb over his jaw. “You like your surprise?”
“I love you,” he said. “The rest just extra.”
She pulled him closer. “Sit down. Let me spoil you for once.”
He raised an eyebrow. “You gon’ feed me grapes too?”
She reached for the trail mix. “Even better.”
“Nah, Meadow,” he laughed, low and deep. “Don’t start none.”
She kissed him, slow enough to make his breath hitch.
“You ready for your flight, Mr. Cooks?”
He smirked. “You flyin’ this?”
