Page 89 of My Heart Belongs to You

My mom beamed. “I was hoping you’d offer.”

I used this time to begin my exit. “I have to get to B&B. I’ll see y’all later.”

We shared a group hug before my mom pulled me into her arms.

“I meant what I said yesterday. You have everything you need to thrive. Trust your gut. You’ve got good instincts, like your mama.”

I kissed her cheek. “Thanks, Mom. You always know what to say.”

CHAPTER

NINETEEN

“Damn, Shiloh. Did you call and ask for the biggest floral arrangement they had?”

Shiloh laughed as the florist approached us with an elaborate bouquet of sunflowers and white ranunculus. It was so big that it covered the florist’s face and torso.

“Summer deserves it.”

I looked out the window to find Marquis wheeling the bookshelf onto the sidewalk. He’d wrapped it in furniture pads and bubble wrap for protection. The drive to Summer and Ryder’s house was less than ten minutes, but I appreciated him for being thorough.

“Thanks again for all your help,” Shiloh said, accepting the arrangement from the florist.

“Anytime,” he replied, smiling at her longer than necessary.

I took the flowers from Shiloh as we exited the shop. As we crossed the street, I caught Mel jogging our way. He pulled his headphones off and slowed his strides.

“Wassup my guy,” was his greeting to me. I dapped him up after placing the flowers in the passenger seat. He hugged Shiloh, then we moved to my trunk to assist Marquis with lifting the bookshelf. After laying it flat, Marquis pushed it inside.

“This the bookshelf?” Mel asked while wiping sweat from his brow.

“Yup. We’re about to drop it off along with the world's biggest floral arrangement.”

Shiloh laughed from the sidewalk. “I heard that.”

Marquis spoke lowly. “I told her it was too much.”

“You know these women don’t listen,” Mel said while shaking his head.

“Where are you headed to after your run? You should stop by Sunny’s.”

Mel frowned. “Can’t. Meeting up with Cai.”

“He's in town?”

“Just passing through. I’m meeting him in D.C.”

Mel’s younger brother Cairo hardly visited home these days. I suspected it was because he wasn’t over Summer. Seeing her happy and treated well really fucked with him. I found it ironic since he was the one who’d ruined their relationship and any chance of them being amicable.

“Cool. Well, I’ll see you tonight.”

“No doubt. Tell Sunny and Ry I said wassup. I can’t wait to eat their baby shower meatballs tomorrow.”

Mel rubbed his hands together before continuing his jog down the block.

The mention of food and the shower caused Robyn to cross my mind. She was at B&B, where she’d be all day preparing for tomorrow. After leaving Sunny’s, I planned to stop by to see her, even if it was just for a moment. Last minute baby shower preparation had stolen my free time the last couple of days. With summer approaching, business had picked up. I spent more time at Ray’s, even on my days off, making sure we were prepared. Warm weather, drinks, and good music were the ingredients for a successful summer.

With everything happening, I missed my Goldie. We went out to eat on Monday, which led me to staying with her until Wednesday. Three days were too many days without her. I shot her a text, needing her to know my sentiments.