Outside, I didn’t see anything unusual, but she led me to the garage. I watched as she opened it with the remote, and the door slid up slowly.
My heart almost stopped the minute that I saw the ’79 Delta 88 sitting in the garage.
“Del, whose car is that?”
“You’re not the only one who can research and make negotiations. I saw you eyeing one on your phone when you took us to the islands, and I started researching them back then. I happened to be chatting with Mr. Williams one day and mentioned what I was looking for. He had a friend who was looking to get rid of it because he didn’t have the time or energy to restore it anymore. His kids weren’t into it, and he waslooking for someone who would restore it and love it the way that he did when he was younger. He connected me and the man, and I recently bought it for you.”
“How much?”
“You don’t ask that question about a gift.”
“No, I want to make sure that you didn’t get ripped off.”
“Ten grand.”
I released a low whistle and then pressed my fist to my mouth. I was getting choked up, and I was trying to keep my cool. I was excited and emotional. “That’s a sweet deal.”
I grabbed her and spun her around in the air before I set her on her feet.
She pressed her hands to her lips and squealed, “You like it?”
“You know I do. Woman, you see me.”
I grabbed her around the waist and pulled her closer. Kissing her lips, I squeezed her a little bit and then pulled back. Pointing at a delivery truck pulling up to the house, I announced, “I bought a small tulip tree.”
“What is the occasion?”
“It’s a symbol of rebirth, and since you’re starting life over again, I want to make sure that you have something representative of that. You want to come around front to help me plant the tulip tree?”
“I would love that.” She followed me to the front.
“I thought you were planning to stay in bed all morning long.”
“I was telling you that because I didn’t want you buzzing around the living room cleaning up and seeing them pull up. I wanted this to be a surprise for you too.”
“I’m definitely surprised.”
I greeted the delivery driver and helped him unload the tree and all the supplies we would need. After he drove away, I spent the next hour with Delaney digging up the perfect spot for it.
I stood, wiped my hands, and turned to look at her.
“This is to a new chapter in your life, one where you are the star, and I’m your spotlight,” I announced before I kissed her.
As we kneeled in the dirt and unwrapped the burlap sack, tears fell from her eyes.
“Why are you crying?”
“My heart is overwhelmed with love because God has blessed me with this good ass man. I love you, Naijhel. You’re truly Mr. Too Damn Good.”
“Only for you, big baby. Only for you.”
22
DELANEY
Iwas full of delight at the prospect of going antiquing with Naijhel. We had driven almost two and a half hours, and we were just outside of Atlanta. I often traveled to purchase antiques, but I usually went on these trips alone. Whenever Damaris didn’t have a lot going on, she would accompany me, but that was few and far between.
No matter how much I had bugged Clayton in the past, he never accompanied me. He couldn’t be bothered by “boring undertakings.” I shook my head because I had vowed not to allow my mind to focus on Clayton anymore. He was my past, and it was time to let that go and focus on my future, and it was looking bright. Besides, I hadn’t heard from him in a while, and that was just how I wanted it.
