Page 95 of Surrender to Love

“I love that bell already,” my mom says.

“Honey, me too,” Shuga adds and they clink their glasses of sangria and laugh.

It has truly been a blessing watching those two bond in such a short period of time and to know Shiro was the catalyst makes it even more of a blessing. Together, they handled all the food for tomorrow, even the cakes. Neither Shiro nor I had preferences, so we left the flavors, design, icing, everything up to them and they loved every step of the process.

Mr. Chocolate Bartender walks over with the pitcher of The Bride, the signature drink of the night, a pineapple jalapeño margarita. He refills my glass and Lexie’s and takes Alex’s whiskey order. Just because I can, I ring it twice for the food servers and the cute one with the locs strolls over.

“Now, I need a damn bell,” Alex says with a grin.

“Two rings are for food. What do you want?”

“I didn’t even look at it all,” she says, then looks at our plates. “Oh, guacamole and chips and two of those shrimp and grits cups, please.”

“And for you?” he asks.

“I’m all good for now. Thanks,” I tell him.

“Now, finish the story. I’m ready to play the first game. I have some cute ones for us,” Reya says.

She’s been trying to play one of her games since we arrived. She already knows what happened between Shiro and Raquan. I told her the next day after Shiro and I checked out of The Metropolitan. The intent of my call was to voice my instant regret at suggesting he and I spend the week apart before the wedding but we ended up discussing the incident.

“I’m ready to play too. I’m trying to win one of those prize bags,” Alami says as she stares at the four large cream and lavender gift bags lined along the fireplace mantle.

“Me too,” her friend says. Because I wanted Alami to be comfortable, when she asked if she could bring her friend from Thanksgiving, I agreed.

“Who dragged who? Focus, please,” Alex says with a grin.

“Damn, okay.”

I grin at Alex’s persistence then restart my story with Raquan’s unexpected pop up, detail his audacity and request, then end with Shiro’s sexy intrusion. Sexy is the perfect adjective because when he busted into my office and yoked Raquan up, I was turned on, shocked but definitely turned on. He was forceful and demanding and the heat emitting from his brown eyes could be felt under my damn skin. I wasn’t even upset that we drew a small crowd in the lobby. My man was there, protecting me and ready to beat Raquan’s stupid ass. I saw nothing wrong.

“Girl, I hope you put it on him in that hotel after that,” Alex says. “Oh shit!” she quickly adds. “Sorry moms.”

“We are all grown in here,” Shuga says and my mom just nods.

“I did,” I mouth to Alex and she smiles.

The bartender returns with her drink and Reya happily eases off the large sectional and walks to the front. She’s due next month but still carrying more in her hips and ass than her perfectly round and moisturized stomach. As promised, it’s out and showing. Only the first two buttons of her pajama top are buttoned, so her basketball belly is on full display.

“We have four games planned out tonight and it’s time for the first one,” Reya says with a smile. “You each have an envelope in your game packet. In it is a picture of Kyrah. When it’s your turn, you will have two minutes to recreate the picture. You can get help from anybody but you will only win if Kyrah correctly guesses where the picture is from. If she doesn’t guess correctly, you and anyone who helped you will have to take a shot. Who’s going first?”

“I’m definitely going first,” Alex says, then hops up.

We are all competitive but Alex is for sure the most. She solicits Giselle’s help and they recreate my high school prom picture. Giselle poses as my date, Kevin Redmond, and Alex poses in front of her as me. I guess almost immediately.

“That was too easy,” my mom says. “I knew that one right away. I want to go next.”

My mom’s is definitely not easy. She keeps doing something weird with her arms and I’m clueless. I laugh more than I guess. My guess is wrong and she rolls her eyes as she takes a shot of bourbon. One by one, everyone participates, even Giselle, and I laugh my ass off because some of their poses are ridiculous. Alami ends up winning and she rushes to grab her gift bag. She screams when she pulls out an autographed Jabari Hicks Royals jersey. Alex clearly helped Giselle with the gifts.

“Do we have time for another?” Reya asks Giselle.

“Actually,” she begins but the sound of the door chiming stops her. “We don’t.” Giselle stands. “Ladies, get ready for the second surprise.”

“Strippers!” Alami’s friend, Tameka, utters and Alami shrugs.

“I hope so,” Sade says with a smile.

As Giselle walks to the door, I finish my drink and sit up. I’m sure I’m smiling from ear to ear because I’m having a blast. My besties really outdid themselves and the evening is just getting started. I’m sure who or whatever is at the door is only going to make tonight better.