Page 62 of Surrender to Love

“I love this,” I comment.

“Me too. It’s one of my favorite spots here. I enjoyed my coffee right here this morning.”

“You’ve been here since this morning?”

“Chile, I got here last night but don’t tell Shiro. The boys would die if they knew I was here all alone.”

“It’s really beautiful here. You… you did that,” I say, unable to articulate my words. The thought of her buying this still has me in awe.

“I’ve been saving for this. I knew once my paintings started making money I was going to save it for something big, tangible, and great for my family. This is that.”

“It’s that and then some. Alex always says the only way for Black people to truly make it and compete in this world is by securing land, property, and investments for generations.”

“I’ve heard it too,” she says, then winks. “I’ve been around you girls for a minute now. I listen and pay attention. I’ve also hired Alex.”

“You surprise me all the time,” I admit with a smile.

“Keeping y’all guessing keeps me young.”

“It’s that why you’ve kept the details from that night a secret?” I ask because she hasn’t revealed any details about her dating event at the resort. When either Reya and I ask, she merely says it was nice and interesting.

“Exactly why,” she says before leaving me in the bar. “Oh and can you make the princess one with the sparkling apple juice in the fridge? I promised her a drink too.”

“You know I got her.”

When she walks off, I grab the juice from the fridge and check the drawers for a knife and squeezer. After slicing oranges and apples, I place most of them in the large glass pitcher, add some apple slices in the wine glasses for Niya and Reya, then put the rest in a bowl. After I fill their glass with the apple juice, I add Pinot Grigio, orange liqueur, and sugar to the pitcher. Then I top Niya and Reya’s glasses and the pitcher with ginger ale.

With the pitcher and Niya’s glass in hand, I return to the kitchen. After placing them on the island, I grab Alami for help with the rest of the stuff and to talk. Between pledging and studying, she looks a little tired and I just want to check on her.

“You doing okay?” I ask as soon as we’re near the bar.

“I’m tired,” she admits with a smile. “I was so glad we got a break for this. I need to get ready for,” she begins, then whispers “The Experience. Do you know when it is?”

“If I did, you know I can’t tell you. Just hang in there and rest this weekend. You’re almost at the finish line.”

“I am. I want DAZ so bad, ever since my fifth-grade teacher,” she admits and I smile.

“It was my guidance counselor in high school. Purple and white were all over her office.”

“I’m going to ask Mireya to pin me if I make it.”

“You will make it,” I assure her. “And Reya will love that.”

She helps me with the glasses for the adults, Reya’s drink, and the bowl of fruit slices. Niya is already drinking her virgin sangria and smiling when I walk in with the tray.

“Thanks,” Reya says when I hand her a glass.

“You’re welcome. Are you done?” I ask because she’s sitting at the table with Tameka.

“With the suya blend so they can season the steaks and fish, yes. I’m going to help you with the vegetables because there are a lot.”

“I think I got it.”

“You haven’t seen the bags yet,” Reya says.

“Mommie, we got the same drink,” Niya says excitedly.

“We sure do, sweetie. Let’s toast,” Reya says and Niya carefully walks toward Reya with her drink. While they toast, I fill two glasses with fruit and ice.