“Um, about time. Everything is ready for you,” Jordyn said as soon as I entered the kitchen where Selah leaned against the counter.
I didn’t know what the hell they were talking about, but both of them had amusement in their eyes, like I had missed a joke or something.
“How are you having a photoshoot and you’re in here with your pajamas on?”
I shook my head. “I’on know what you talking about but come outside with me right quick.”
“For what, Indiri? I’m not the one taking pictures of you.”
“Girl, go see what that man wants before he throws a tantrum. I’ll be around tomorrow. I have something waiting on me at home.”
I cut my eyes toward her because I knew the bitch ass nigga she was talking about. He played with her time too much for my liking, but who was I to speak about her life? So all I did was offer input when asked and be there when needed.
“Stop looking like that, Indi. It’s not what or who you think. I told you all I was done with him and I meant it.”
I heard what she said, but didn’t turn to acknowledge it because I was already stepping onto the patio.
“What is this?” Selah asked, voice closely behind me.
“Me letting you know I see you.” I took in the space. Jordyn had done her shit. She had a lil picnic set up under the stars.
“Oh, baby,” Selah said as soon as she stepped around me and saw the space. Pillows lined the blanket placed under the short picnic table. On the table was a bottle of wine for her and water on the side for me.
When I turned to the side and looked at her, my heart did some different shit. If I wasn’t mistaken, it’d skipped a beat, affording me a mental picture of her at this moment. She was so beautiful, even though she looked like she was about to cry. Knowing Selah, she was. She appreciated the thoughtfulness of things like this while I appreciated her.
Chapter
Fifteen
Selah
“This is so beautiful, really beautiful and thoughtful.” I beamed, sitting in front of Indiri, sipping from the glass of wine that paired wonderfully with the pizza.
He laughed, his eyes heavy with exhaustion as his head rested in my lap. “You act like I can’t be thoughtful.”
I grinned down at him. “You can be, but you have so much going on. Hell, you’re training for a whole fight.”
“True, and even though I didn’t physically do this, I’ma still make it happen for you. Because at the end of the day, you make time for those who matter.”
I was beaming. “You know, for somebody who doesn’t do romance or relationships, you definitely have this down pat, huh?”
He chuckled, tired eyes on me. “Nah baby, I don’t. I’m learning. Now eat up because I’m ’bout tired as hell and laying right here ain’t gonna do nothing but have me sleep in the next fifteen or twenty minutes.”
I was seconds from responding when I felt like everything I had eaten was about to come up. I felt queasy, like the cheesepizza—which had always been my favorite—didn’t agree with me tonight. Thank God it went back down.
For the duration of the time we were out there, I sipped from one of his waters instead of eating any more or drinking the rest of the wine. My stomach only felt worse, probably some kind of bug. When he yawned, I insisted I was done. Less than ten minutes later we packed the picnic up and made our way into the house.
I glanced at him as he dropped his shirt into the hamper with his back to me. The sea of tattoos on his back were mesmerizing, like an intricately crafted piece meant for just him. He had his father, his grandmother, and a few other faces on his back.
“Thank you.”
When he turned, his expression was serious. “Anytime, Selah, and I mean just that. Any fucking time.” He climbed into the bed next to me and, without my permission, pulled my body into his.
When he said anytime, I knew he meant it. Something in his eyes made promises that never had to be verbalized and that warmed my soul.
A peck to his bare chest later I closed my eyes and sleep came easy, like it had been waiting for me to stop fighting. Maybe it had, considering every time I looked at this man I felt like I didn’t want to miss anything …Maybe it had.
When I opened my eyes the next morning to my alarm, I was in bed alone. Indiri was training and it was time for me to get to the bakery. I knew everything was good, but when it came to my bakery, I never rested well unless I was standing in the kitchen. I needed to see, smell, and hear things for myself.
