When I told Luna I was dating Mahogany she was happy. She wasn’t on my head about Reign because she just wanted me to be with her. She was on my head because she wanted me to be with someone, period.
Orion’s eyebrows shot up. “Straight?”
“Yeah, straight.”
“I knew it was coming,” said Judah, wearing a grin. “I’m happy for you bro. Genuinely.”
“You talkin like I’m about to get married or some shit,” I said with a laugh as I closed my briefcase. “We takin’ it easy.”
We were. Mahogany and I were dating. Dating and fucking like crazy. We didn’t have a title and that was because she wanted it that way. She wasn’t in a rush to make things official. She wasn’t fucking with anybody else, and neither was I. I cut Daija off the minute Mahogany accepted our first date. Straight up blocked shorty. There was no need for an explanation or a conversation.
Although I was cool with me and Mahogany’s little arrangement, my patience was running thin and I was ready toreallylock it down.
I had to.
I needed to.
Getting to this point with Mahogany was a challenge, for real. Not just because she had issues but because I had them as well. It took a minute for me to even be comfortable and believe thatwhat we had was solid. It was the constant back and forth from before that kept me on edge about it. But as time went on, we saw more of each other and I never got that ‘I’ve been thinking’ text, I got more comfortable. Comfortable and hungry for more. There was nothing odd or out of place about that though. When it came to her, I always wanted more. From the start I was addicted to her energy, always wanting her around, feigning for her. Having her the way that I had her, only made shit worse. In a good way though.
“At least you takin itsomewhere. Feel me? It’s been a minute,” he pointed out.
We locked eyes and I nodded.
Orion stretched. “All of us knew. Soon as we had that first meeting and you was talkin about not wanting niggas to work with her, we knew it was only a matter of time. Low key, you probably smashed a hot ass minute ago.”
I didn’t say anything; just kept cleaning my desk off. What I said to niggas was what I would say to niggas. Nothing more, nothing less. They knew what they needed to know. I was tired of niggas asking about her anyway. You know how many questions I got hit with after I told them I was severing ties after initially telling them I wanted to keepCoutureon as Skylight Industries go to? Several. And the questions didn’t just come from this group of niggas. They came from everybody.
“I’m about to head out. Try not to fuck shit up.”
“How long you gon be gone?”
“Five days.”
“Be easy, nigga,” Judah said with his hand extended.
We slapped palms before I did the same with the other niggas. Right after, we walked out of the office. After telling the rest of the team good bye, I headed to the airport, excited as hell.
The ride there was spent thinking about Mahogany and how far we’d come. With a smirk, I gripped the steering wheel andshook my head. Was I surprised? Hell naw. I wasn’t surprised at all. I knew from the moment I laid eyes on her that she would be mine… in one way or another. And when I got my hands on her? Oh, I knew for sure it was up then. I wasn’t letting up off of her. And while we might’ve had a little hiccup somewhere in the middle that scared a nigga a little, we got right back on track. Crazy thing about that was I didn’t have to chase her. Not for real. We fell in place. Just the way I knew we would.
MAHOGANY
Holding my sheer kimono closed, I opened the patio doors and stepped out, the morning sun greeting me as soon as I did. I smiled, closed my eyes, and stood there for a moment, basking in it, while my pedicured toes sank into the white sand.
I was in Turks and Caicos, staying at a luxury beach front villa that came fully staffed.
I was in love. So much in love that a bitch damn near didn’t want to go home next week. If it weren’t for the kids, I would for sure stay another week. I was in heaven, really and had been since I touched down two days ago. I never knew what tranquility felt like. Not until I came here. Not until I woke up to the sound of birds chirping the ocean waves crashing. Just the way I’d dreamt of for years. I wanted this as a birthday gift. Thought about it for a very long time. Would sit on my balcony at home, close my eyes and imagine I was on a white sand beach. And while it wasn’t my birthday—that passed a couple of months ago—I’d made it. I’d finally fucking made it.
The morning breeze swept across my smiling face as I continued my stride on the beach, heading for the little sitting area not too far away. Today, much like yesterday, I was havingbreakfast alone, on the beach. The servers had set everything up about ten minutes ago and it was time to dig in. I could have had an entire spread, but I opted for a lighter option. Just a bagel with smoked salmon and an array of mixed fruit, along with my usual morning tea.
I sat down at the small table, and took a deep breath, taking in the smells around me. God I felt good. Every day I woke up since being here, I was in disbelief. I couldn’t believe I was here. I couldn't believe I didn’t have to wake up to the sound of the kids' TV, or one of their phones replaying videos they’d fallen asleep to.AndI didn’t have to get anyone ready. Didn’t have to fuss with them about getting dressed or arguing either. Don’t get me wrong—I loved my baby’s, but this break was very much needed.
Digging into the bowl of fruit, I popped a piece of kiwi in my mouth before going for my tea. It was hibiscus and had pieces of fruit floating in it. I put the mug up to my lips and moaned when the flavor hit my tastebuds. Everything here had been magnificent. I hadn’t had a meal or drink I didn't like. And the service I’d received while here had been top of the line. God, Ireallydidn’t want to go home.
The only thing I was really looking forward to there was my babies. Couture was a bright spot too, but my workload had significantly picked up. My contract with Skylight Industries was over but I’d brought in a lot of new clients because of it. I came highly recommended by the CEO, so I had so many people connected with that company beating on my door. Every time I looked up, I was getting a call or an email from someone who wanted to schedule a meeting to discuss partnering up. I was grateful as hell, but very, very overworked. I’d gone from having the option to work from home to having to be in the office, things were so out of hand. On top of that, I’d hired three moredesigners. They were great. Not Mahogany Mills great, but great enough.
“Miss?”
I looked over my shoulder at one of the staff members with a smile. “Yes?”
