“So, that was intense. You have to tell me everything,” she whispered like she was one of my little friends.
I shivered when the cool of my gold necklace touched my skin. My mama stood behind me, clamping it into place. We were getting ready to go have dinner together. “You look so beautiful,” my mama whispered with tears in her eyes.
I smiled at her. “Why are you crying, lady? I look good, but I don’t look that good,” I teased her playfully. I twisted in the mirror to see how I looked from the side. The silk, red dressagainst my skin was the perfect combination. Every inch of my skin was glistening like a glazed donut with gold drizzle.
She fanned her eyes. “It’s silly. I know, I know.” She walked over to my desk while I went over to my dresser to drench myself in my fragrance of the night. “We should get going. Our reservation isn’t for another hour, but I want to take you somewhere first.”
“Okay, I’m ready to go.” I lifted my Chanel purse and slid it on my shoulder. My heels clicked across the floor as we headed out.
I pulled out my phone to text Ketai and check up on him. He was out exploring with my mom’s boyfriend, Santiago, so I could spend quality time with my mama. It was much appreciated. He’d paid for us to go shopping and then a trip to the spa, and now we were on our way to dinner.
When we stepped outside, I inhaled the fresh air and smiled. I could taste a chocolate croissant in my future. I’d missed La Promesse while I was away. The best part was that I was getting to share my favorite place in the world with the man I loved. He was such a sweetheart that he gave me today to be with my mother.
Me: Hey baby! We’re headed out to dinner. What are you up to? I miss you
His reply came almost instantly, making me smile.
My Stanley : I miss you too we ain’t doing shit for real. Just wasting time.
Me: Meet us for dinner?
My Stanley : Nah baby. Have that time with your mama, ima get to have dinner with you for the rest of my life
I hugged my phone to my chest as I went skipping up the street to catch up with my mama. She was hauling it up the hilllike she didn’t have a minute to spare. By the time I caught up to her, I was a little out of breath.
“Ma, we’re walking?”
She nodded. “Yes, we’re not going too far, Ladybug.” She glanced down at my feet and cringed. “I guess I could’ve told you to bring a pair of slides.”
“Right, but it’s all good. You know I’m a soldier. I’ll survive.”
She held up her hand, and I slapped mine against it. “That’s my girl. Come on.”
By the time we made our second left, I knew we were heading into the art district where the statue of Aja was. When we rounded the corner, my steps slowed, seeing there was a red carpet lined with roses and candles. My eyes followed the trail, and I swear the earth shifted under me when I saw Ketai standing at the end, in front of the statue. He was dressed elegantly in a black suit with red stitching that matched my dress. Huge marquee letters were behind him, asking that special question, and the best part of all—the most important detail of the moment—was the sun setting in the distance.
My steps were shaky as I began to close the distance between us. Random people started coming up to me, handing me roses. The tears wouldn’t stop coming, because it felt like a scene straight out of a movie. Right before I made it to Ketai, my mother and Santiago stepped forward with their roses. I rushed into their arms for a group hug. When they released me, the only thing left to do was walk to the man who dropped to one knee when I was close enough.
“Stanley, you actually did this,” I joked while wiping away my tears.
He nodded, taking my hand and holding it in his. “I did, and I plan to do so much more. I know this may seem fast, but nothing about the way I love you has felt rushed or out of order. From the moment my eyes landed on you when you crashed mymama’s party, I just knew you were the woman for me. I watched you dance the entire night, and all I kept thinking was,damn. If her smile was all I could see for the rest of my life, then I’d be the richest man on this planet. I love the way you love and support me. The way you hold me down when I feel weak. Nothing would make me happier than to ask . . . Will you marry me, Free Flowers? Will you be the Shirley to my Stanley until our last breaths? And even then, do you promise to keep your love tucked away for me in every lifetime after this one?”
I couldn’t even hold it together by the time he spoke his last word. My head was nodding so fast I was getting a little lightheaded. “Yes! Yesss! Of course I will marry you!” I screamed at him.
He smiled widely before popping open the ring box in his hand. A beautiful, three-carat, princess-cut diamond winked at me. A shiver went down my spine when he slid the ring on my finger. “Is this real?” I questioned with a quivering bottom lip. I couldn’t take my eyes off the ring, but my tears were so big that it blinded me from really admiring it.
Ketai stood and wrapped his arms around my waist. “This is as real as it can get. I love you, Shirley.” Everyone around us erupted into applause, sealing the deal. This moment was a dream come true.
“I love you more, Stanley.” I sniffled and shook my head before yelling out, “I’m getting married!”
Ketai scooped me up in his arms and spun me around in a circle. By the time he placed me on my feet so that his lips could crash into mine, I knew everything had to happen for a reason. If it wasn’t for Luca breaking things off with me, I never would’ve rushed back to the States just in time for Ms. Paulette’s birthday party.
I always thought I was asking for too much, but Ketai taught me that was far from the truth. He never saw any request ordesire of mine as too much. He was always ready for my hugs, kisses, and cuddles. Hell, he looked forward to them just as much as me. For the first time, I felt not only seen but truly valued and loved. Just when I was ready to give up on love, I stumbled upon the greatest to ever exist.
“And this isn’t too fast? You’re not going to regret this a few months from now?” I asked quickly.
Ketai cupped my chin and forced me to look him in the eyes. “If it’s only us, who cares if it’s too fast? I will never regret this, Free. I am ready to begin my life with you. I hate sleeping without you. I hate being apart. I hate that it took thirty years to find you. There’s nothing in this world I’ve desired like life with you as my wife.”
And when he spoke like that, I knew there was no reason to question his intentions. From the first date, Ketai was very clear with me. He never played with my heart, and I knew without a doubt that I could trust him. “If it’s only us, nobody else matters.”
