The phone buzzed against the nightstand at six in the morning, dragging me out of the best sleep I’d had in months. Maybe years. I reached over to silence it, careful not to disturb the woman curled up next to me. Whenever I was close to her, I felt at peace. Everything felt right, stronger, bolder. Our scents had mixed in the sheets and air, warm and decadent. It was becoming my weakness. We just fit, even when we didn’t. And I hated that I’d wasted time running from that truth.
Coco lay on her side, facing away from me, silk sheets pooled around her waist. The morning light slipped through the curtains and traced the curve of her back, the gentle dip of her waist, the way her hair spread across the pillow like dark honey. She wore one of my t-shirts and nothing else, her bare legs tangled in my sheets. She looked so peaceful, and I wanted nothing more than to pull her close and sink back into sleep.
Last night had been another perfect night. After the date under the fairy lights, after Khemistry sang her song and Coco looked at me like I’d given her the world, we came back to the penthouse and fell into our rhythm.
We stayed up talking and watching Insecure Reruns until almost three in the morning. She drifted off against my shoulder. When I kissed her temple, she curled into me. I felt crazy thinking of the shit she had me on. But the winding down with her, the quiet, was quickly becoming my favorite part of the day.
My phone buzzed again. My father. Three missed calls. That could only mean one thing: final arrangements.
I eased out of bed and slipped into the bathroom.
“Pops,” I whispered. “What’s up?”
“Why you whispering?”
“Me and baby had a long night. I don’t wanna wake her.”
“Shit, you really in love. Damn, the love bug got you,” he said with a whistle.
“Pops... get to it. What do you need?”
“We leave in six hours. Jet’s ready. Villa’s set. You ready for this surprise wedding?”
I braced my arms against the sink, staring into my reflection. This was it, the real wedding I wanted to give her. Her friends were already flying in and a few of mine; the officiant was arranged, and everything was set up on the private beach in Turks.
“I’m ready,” I said.
“You sure she won’t suspect anything? This is a big risk if she doesn’t want it.”
“She told me she never had anyone to invite. No family. I doubt she’ll see this coming .”
“Alright. Monica helped coordinate everything with her friends. Don’t be late.”
We hung up, and I brushed my teeth, washed my face, then stood in front of the mirror for a moment longer. This trip was about showing the woman asleep in my bed that she mattered. That she deserved everything she’d never had.
Back in the bedroom, she stirred. That soft hum she made when waking up filled the space like a melody.
“Lessy?” she mumbled.
I sat beside her, brushing her shoulder. “Wake up, baby. We gotta get ready.”
She turned, sleepy eyes blinking at me with a smile that made the room warmer. “Ready for what?”
“Our trip. We leave today.”
“Today? I thought it was next week!”
“I never said that. Did I?” I smiled at her.
She sat up slowly, studying my face. “You’re up to something. You have that look.”
I couldn’t help but grin. “Just trust me. You’re gonna love it.”
Her eyes didn’t waver. “I can follow your lead, Les.”
I took her hand, thumb brushing her knuckles. “Good, because you’re safe with me. Always.”
“And you’re safe with me,” she replied.
