Three and a half hours later, my face is wet again as I clench the thick binder that contains my degree inside. This moment is one I’m unable to form thoughts for, and even with the mundane ceremony, merriment flows through me. Dad, Alicia, D’Essence, and a few of my cousins run to me. Behind them, my eyes land on the man whose strides toward me cause my treasure to moisten. Unlike the rest of my people, Chance isn’t in a hurry, but his presence fills me with something far more appealing than theirs does.
“I’m so proud of you, Sadia.” Dad cries with a face that’s as equally wet as mine is, and I disconnect my gaze from my man.
“Thank you, Dad.”
Dad pulls me into a spine-breaking embrace as my eyes land on Chance when he reaches the small group that surrounds me. Dad’s wet face blends with the rapid water that falls from mine. So many feelings race through me the longer Dad holds onto me. I feel strength and comfort in his embrace. My lip trembles, and I close my eyes so I can take in this moment with Dad without the presence of Chance’s heavy and assessing gaze.
“Now that we have this moment out of the way, formally introduce me to this nigga who’s claiming to be your man. I told that nigga he’s a liar since I haven’t heard it directly from you.” Dad releases me as his brows hike, and a light laugh falls from my mouth.
I pull away from Dad and stand beside him as Chance walks to within an inch in front of me with a cocky grin. I fight theurge to clench my thighs in response as I fully release Dad and curl my finger toward my man. Not giving me a chance to speak or move, Chance pulls me into his arms, and I melt. His cologne wafts in my nostrils, and my body heats instantly. Dad’s hug spoke to the little girl within me longing for her mother. But Chance’s tight embrace speaks to the woman whose man is capable of rejuvenating the neglected lover within me.
“I’m so fucking proud of you, Dia.”
Just as they did in text, Chance’s words cause my heart to leap and dance in merriment. I cling to Chance as if I’m afraid that he’ll vanish if I release him. The noise in the room and the people around us fade into the background as I get lost in the feel of Chance’s thumping heartbeat against me. It’s a steady cadence that fuels and settles me. It’s the effect I needed before my arrival. But for countless minutes, I relish in the bubble Chance and I are in.
“I hate to break up this love fest, but can you greet the rest of us?” Alicia says, laughing.
The moment between my man and me comes to an end like a bucket of cold water has been thrown over us. I take the next few minutes to greet my people, then spend another minute or two introducing Chance to Dad. Once that’s done, I sidle up next to Chance before he connects our hands.
“Alright, everyone, I have a room booked for everyone at the Eastside Kaigood shelter house. If you can all head that way, I’ll see to it that Sadia gets there,” Chance says.
My eyes pinch as they land on Chance. “What’s going on?”
“A party, of course. I know you didn’t think you were going home after this.”
Words fail me, so I say nothing as everyone heads toward the convention center’s exit. I didn’t have any plans for how I would celebrate post-graduation, but it looks like Chance took care of it without my knowledge. The weird part is that no one, includingDad, protested, which makes me wonder if I’m the only one oblivious to what’s about to happen. Unlike the congestion upon my arrival, Chance and I reach his vehicle in no time. Once Chance assists me inside, I retrieve my phone from inside my gown and send a message to Alicia.
Me:
Did you know about this party? Why didn’t you say anything to me earlier?
Three dots appear on the screen, and a loud, unladylike snort of laughter falls from my mouth when I read Alicia’s response.
Bestie:
I’m sorry, the number you reached is currently out of service. Please check back later.
Me:
You ain’t right. Just tell me what I’m about to walk into.
Bestie:
At the subscriber’s request, this number is no longer able to process requests.
Ps. Subscriber says to trust your man *winking emoji*
“Don’t be trying to be nosy,” Chance says when he enters the vehicle a second later.
“Fine. But can you tell me if I’m the only one out of the loop? Nobody even batted an eye when you made your announcement.”
Chance shrugs before he secures his seat belt, starts his vehicle, and leaves the spot without a word. I turn my bodytoward the window and cross my arms as Chance laughs. I don’t find my dilemma funny, so I stew the whole drive to our destination. My mind spins as I get lost in the trees and unknown buildings that fly by as we pass on the freeway. It takes no time for Chance and me to arrive as he parks in an available spot in the lot. There are so many cars in the lot that I’m unable to identify any one in particular.
Chance wordlessly exits and makes his way to my side, as I hold my breath when the passenger door opens, and I stare into his intense eyes. I swallow over the sudden lump in my throat when love from Chance’s eyes hits me like a meteor. Chance lowers to a squat, and my breath hitches as intense heat surges like lava through my body. Only a second passes before Chance speaks.
“Before we go in here, there are some things I need to share with you. I never saw myself being here. In fact, I have been playing dodgeball with love. But since the first day I watched you brew what has become my favorite caffeinated drink, I have been wondering if maybe my winning streak had come to an end. From that first day to this present one, you have been the woman to make me concede to the possibility of falling to love’s victory.”
I gasp when Chance’s words penetrate my psyche because I know he’s not saying what I think he is. When he continues talking, I tune in with a keener ear to see where this is going.
