The house was huge, open concept, all white floors, large glass doors that led to the back, to the pool that was surrounded by palm trees. I walked closer to see the water hitting the beach.
I couldn’t help but, like a lil’ kid, after I ran up the steps and checked all the rooms, there were four of them, each better than the last. The kitchen was large, all white with black accents. I made it back to the living room to see Love sitting there on his phone, and I jumped in his lap.
“So, do you like it?” he asked again.
I nodded. “Baby, I love it. How did you put this together so fast?”
“I know some people.”
That was all he said ‘bout it.
“Come, let’s freshen up to eat.”
I made my way upstairs, going to the master room and closing the door behind me. For a second, I stood there, quiet, letting everything settle. The space, the silence, the way my life felt like it was shifting.
I took my time taking a shower, doing my hair, and putting on makeup. When I finally went downstairs, the sun was starting to set. I walked around to the kitchen and found Love sitting there, sketching. His eyes left his iPad and trailed up and down me as he stood up.
“You good?” I asked.
Love licked his lips. “I’m better now.”
I sucked my teeth and rolled my eyes. “You so extra.”
“Only for you,” he shot back fast. “Come on,” he said, reaching his hand out.
I took it, and he led me out back down a rock path lined with trees and lights. When we reached the beach, I stopped walking, making me pull him. Love stopped, looked at me with a smile, and pulled me along.
Once we got closer, I had to hold back tears.
There was a table set for just the two of us, a fire pit off to the side, and a woman playing the harp.
We made it to the table, and he poured me a drink while my eyes were still darting all around, taking everything in.
\he passed me the glass like it was nothing, like this wasn’t some shit outta a movie.
“You planned all of this?” I asked, my voice soft, still trying to hold back tears.
He didn’t respond; he just pulled my chair out. I took a seat, and he sat across from me.
“Yeah,” he said simply, like this shit was nothing.
I shook my head, lookin’ around again, trying to take it all in without getting overwhelmed. The ocean was right there, waves rollin’ in slow, the fire from the pit was cracking soft, and that harp…that shit was playing low, smooth, like it was made just for that moment.
“This don’t even feel real to me,” I said, bringing the glass to my lips, but barely sipping it.
“Feel it,” he said low, “don’t think too much. Just…feel.”
I let out a soft breath, letting my shoulder drop, letting the night hit me. The breeze, the lights, the way he moved, just being there was perfect. I didn’t need to question it; I didn’t need to understand it. I just let it wash over me.
We ate dinner and listened to the harp play beside us. Love wasn’t saying too much, which wasn’t him. But I carried the conversation until he reached across, brushing his fingers over mine, holding my hands tight. The warmth of him hit deep, and I felt my chest tighten in the best way.
“I’ve been thinking about this for a minute,” he said, voice low and steady. “About you, about us, about everything I want for us.”
I tilted my head slowly, meeting his gaze. My stomach did a flip; my heart picked up.
“I want you to know something,” he continued. “This”—he gestured around, slow, deliberate. “All of this is just the start. I told you when I first met you that I was looking at my wife; I meant that…I want forever with you, Islah.”
Love stood up from the table and grabbed my hands, and as he walked me over by the fire pit, he pulled a small box out of his pocket. I felt the air leaving my body; my knees went weak.
