As we walked away with the wrapped fabric, I bumped his shoulder with mine. “What was that look about?”
“What look?”
“The one where you were staring at me like I was about to disappear.”
He stopped walking, right there in the middle of the busy market, people flowing around us like water around stones.
“Lesley?” My voice was soft, steady.
“Yeah, pretty baby?”
The words just came out, no filter, no fear, “I love you.”
“I love you too, Coco. Real bad.”
We shared a laugh because his silly side was becoming my favorite side. Don’t get me wrong, I loved that he didn’t play the radio, but his softness spoke to me. I needed soft sometimes.
We spent the rest of the afternoon hands linked, kissing between vendor stalls, him buying me anything I so much as lingered on. I told myself I didn't need it, but the way he looked at me when he handed things over made me take every damn bag. That confession earlier had settled between us and changed the temperature of everything. The fun was still there, but underneath it, we’d locked into place. Permanent.
When tourists asked to take our picture by the harbor, I didn’t flinch. I leaned in close, smiling. We couldn’t get enough of each other; we were in too deep to even pretend otherwise.
Back at the villa, I noticed the change in the smallest ways. I wasn’t walking on eggshells around him anymore. He wasn’t holding back the way he had been. I unpacked my silk scarves on the dresser like it was ours. And when I caught him later, on the phone handling business, his voice low and commanding, I didn’t just feel the usual flutter in my stomach. I felt proud. That man in control? That was mine.
By evening, we were getting dressed for dinner. I caught him staring at me in the mirror while I adjusted my dress straps. Not just staring—watching.
“Why you looking at me like that?” I asked, smoothing the silk over my hips.
He didn’t answer right away. Just walked up behind me, slid his hands around my waist, and locked eyes with me through the glass.
“‘Cause I never thought love would feel like this,” he said finally, voice low, rough. “Never thought I’d want somebody the way I want you.”
He kissed my temple, lingering there. “Whatever happens, just always promise to trust me.”
The walk to dinner felt different. The usual path to the restaurant had been lined with small lanterns, casting a warm glow against the darkening sky. Soft jazz drifted from speakers hidden in the palm trees, and I could smell jasmine and roses in the air.
“Lesley, what’s going on?” I asked, but he just squeezed my hand.
“You’ll see.”
When we rounded the corner, I stopped dead. The beach had been transformed into something straight out of a fairy tale. White fabric billowed between palm trees, chairs arranged in perfect rows facing the ocean. Rose petals created a pathway leading to an altar where the waves met the sand. Candles flickered in glass hurricanes, and soft string lights twinkled overhead like captured stars.
“Oh my God,” I whispered, my hands flying to my mouth.
That’s when I heard it—familiar laughter that made my heart nearly burst.
“Surprise!” Rebecca’s voice carried across the beach, followed by Yaslynn’s distinctive cackle.
I spun around to see my girls running toward me in flowing sundresses, arms wide, grins splitting their faces. I met them halfway, and we collided in a tangle of squeals and tears.
“Girl, your husband flew us out!” Rebecca said, squeezing me tight. “Private jet and everything!”
“He said he wanted to give you the wedding you deserved,” Yaslynn added, pulling back to look at me with tears in her eyes.“With your people. Your real family. We had to come. Rashad sends his love.”
I couldn’t speak. Could barely breathe. I looked back at Lesley, who was watching with that soft smile that was reserved just for me.
“You did this?” I choked out.
He walked over, cupping my face in his hands. “You said you never had anyone to invite to a wedding. Said it was just you.” His thumb brushed away a tear I didn’t know had fallen. “But it’s not just you anymore, Coco. You got me. You got them. You got us.”
