I tapped on the Uber app. “I’m positive.” My shoulders slumped. “I’m so exhausted, I can’t even think straight.”
Niya leaned into me and we held onto each other until the Uber arrived. Neither one of us felt like talking, and I caught a quick nap during the drive.
“Yo, you were straight up snoring just now,” Niya said once we were inside the elevator of the hotel.
I leaned against the metal frame. “For real? I’m way more tired than I thought then.” I swiped the key card and pressed the number eleven. The elevator took off with a swish. Within seconds, the door opened. I stumbled over my feet, bumping into Niya.
She grabbed my arm. “Careful. Follow me.”
I emitted a loud yawn. “I’m sorry. I feel like I could pass out on the floor.”
“Well, we can’t have you doing that,” Niya said, coming to a stop several doors down. “We’re here.” She pulled out her key card and opened the door to our suite.
Then she stopped.
And gasped.
Slowly, I straightened.
And smiled.
Niya’s eyes were wide. She pointed to the large object propped against the couch before turning to face me. “You did this? Wow.” Her forehead creased. “When? How?”
All I could do was nod. I was too busy grinning to articulate any answers.
She touched her chest. “Is this for me?”
“Of course, honey. Who else would it be for?”
She took tentative steps and walked toward the object, holding back tears. “It’s beautiful. I can’t believe you did this. It’s… I’m speechless. No one has ever done anything like this for me in my life.”
By this time, my smile was ocean-wide. I ambled to her side to pick up the painting, holding it up mid-chest for her inspection. I needed to see every emotion on her Niya’s face to record in my mind’s camera. I planned to play back this moment over and over. I had managed to surprise Niya with a gift she would treasure forever.
Niya inhaled. With an air of reverence, she traced her fingers over the circumference of the artwork. I watched as she touched Big’s likeness, running her finger across Big’s cheek. Then she moved on to her and Jazzy. I watched her mouth widen with that beautiful smile of hers and my heart tripped. Seeing Niya’s beaming face was worth every dollar I had paid the two artists to get this painting completed in days.
Then her eyes filled. “Jhavon,” she whispered. Niya moved her cheek close to her brother’s face. “I feel like he’s about to come out of the painting and start talking to me. Oh, how I wish he could.” Then she caressed my cheek with a look of such devotion that my heart forgot to beat for a second or two.
“I’m glad you like it,” I breathed out.
“Like it,” she gushed, eyes shining. “I love it. We always meant to take a picture together but then… Jhavon… Oh, thank you.” Niya covered her mouth with her hands.
“I’ll have the hotel ship it to your house so it doesn’t get damaged during our travel home.”
“Thank you.” Niya did a little jig. “Wait till I show Jazzy and Big. I’ve got to take a picture...”
“I’ll take it,” I said, handing her the portrait. I took out my iPhone and snapped. Then I texted it to her. I waited until Niya sent her text to her family and placed the portrait on top of the coffee table. Then she wrapped her arms about herself and gazed at the painting.
I moved to stand behind her and hugged her from behind. Our bodies swayed, finding their rhythm, rocking together. My hands moved from her tummy to her arms. I turned her so I could look into her eyes.
Before I could say anything, she pressed her lips to mine. I forgot what I was thinking when her hands cradled my head. All I could think was I sharing my first kiss with Niya. Or, rather, she was kissing me. Her soft lips made butterflies zig zag in my tummy. My stomach clenched. I’d better take over. The painting wasn’t the only thing she would remember about today. I was going to give her a first kiss she would never forget.
I pulled her flush against me and used my tongue to taste those luscious lips of hers. Then I sucked on them until she moaned and opened her mouth. I dove in to sample the treasure inside her mouth, taking my time. I don’t know how much time passed before I released her.
Niya’s long lashes closed and she exhaled. I held back my grin. Oh yes. She had the look of a woman who had been kissed. I tucked her under the chin and she opened her eyes.
“Look at me,” I said. “I love you. I won’t get tired of saying it.” Her mouth hung open like she wasn’t sure how to respond.
Our chests heaved as our eyes did some serious talking. I observed her from under my lashes. Visual images of possibilities filling my mind.
