Reasons to Love Again

1. Colony Miles

The vibration of my phone rattling against my nightstand woke me from my dream that was swiftly turning into a nightmare.

While I was grateful for the interruption of my dream, it wasn’t the same for my sleep.

Without opening my eyes, I inwardly groaned and rolled over in my queen-sized bed, then slapped my hand around for my phone.

Shit. I cursed myself when my phone went tumbling to the floor. My eyes popped open, and I leaned down the side of my bed to get it. It stopped ringing just as I grabbed it. After seeing it was my best friend, Olive, I tapped her contact to call right back.

“Hey, babe. I’m so sorry to wake you.”

I sat up and rubbed my eyes with my free hand. “It’s okay, Olive. You never call this early unless it’s an emergency. Is everything okay?”

“Yes and no. Parker is running a fever and can’t keep anything down. I’ve been up with him off and on all night, so I won’t be able to work today. I’m making him an appointment as soon as his doctor’s office opens.”

“Oh, poor Parker. It’s all good, girl. I’ll work in your spot today. You go make sure my godson is good.”

“Thank you, Colony. You know I hate missing work because I love seeing all my bonus kids, but I gotta take care of mine.”

“Yes, you do. Now, go tend to him and keep yourself well too. If you need anything, call me, and I’ll do whatever you need.”

“I love you, girl.”

“I love you too. Give Parker my love, and don’t forget to keep me updated on him.”

Olive and I ended the call. I looked at the time to see I needed to get up and get my day started. It was a little after five in the morning, and my day care center, Center of Love, opened at six thirty, so I had to put some pep in my step.

Tossing my covers off my body, I threw my legs over the bed and sat there, mentally going over my schedule for the day.

Even though I had already planned to go to the center today, I had to rearrange some things to cover Olive’s shift.

Since I wasn’t sure exactly what her schedule looked like for the day, I headed to my connected bathroom to handle my morning hygiene and shower.

Fifteen minutes later, I stood in my walk-in closet, trying to decide what I wanted to wear for the day.

After I checked the weather to see it would be a bit on the warmer side, I decided on a long, flowy maxi dress and my favorite gold slides.

The orange complemented my umber skin. Since I’d be out most of the day, I did a light, natural beat of makeup, making sure to put on my favorite lip gloss.

With a modest spray of my vanilla perfume, I put on my gold jewelry, made sure I had everything I needed, and left.

On the way to the center, I made a detour to pick up breakfast and coffee for myself and my staff.

I loved pouring into them because they consistently poured into my business, which was my baby.

I sent them a text in our group chat, letting them know Olive would be out and to come to me for anything, as well as informing them I’d feed them.

I didn’t need the praise, but it was nice to know they appreciated me as much as I did them.

Center of Love was my pride and joy. A year ago, I uprooted from my hometown, Harley Grove, and moved to Maven Falls.

I desperately needed something different, and with Maven Falls only being thirty minutes away, it was the perfect place.

While I was still close to my family, I was away from my past and closer to my best friend. That was what mattered to me.

“Good morning, ladies!” I greeted them, sauntering into the break room with my hands full. They all raced over and took something from me to lighten my load.

“Good morning, boss lady.” Eliza was the first to respond and pick her coffee. “Thank you for this. It’s needed after the night I had.”

The smirk tugging at the corner of her thin lips told me everything I needed to know. I snapped my fingers and sung, “Okay, newlywed. I’m not mad at you.”

“I am.” Riley jokingly rolled her eyes as she washed her hands. “It’s been months since I’ve had some, and I’m craving some good dick like a crackhead.”

Janice giggled. “You and me both. I know I made the choice to be celibate until I meet my husband, but girl, it’s getting harder by the day.”

I half-listened to them go on and on about their sex lives, refusing to chime in. My sex and love life seemed to have flatlined, but it was strictly by choice. Of course, Riley was the one to drag me into the conversation.

“Don’t get all quiet over there, Colony. How long has it been for you?” she pried, taking a sip of her coffee as her medium brown eyes swept over me.

All eyes were on me, and I could feel heat rising to my cheeks. A part of me didn’t want to admit the truth, because I was embarrassed, but I knew they wouldn’t let me walk away without answering. Mumbling, I replied, “One year.”

Eliza’s eyes expanded. “Excuse me?”

“I know you didn’t just say one year,” Janice said.

“Yes.” I tucked a few strands of my curls behind my ear. “One full year, but it’s by choice.”

“That’s a choice I never want to make. And here I was thinking my two months was something,” Riley expressed with a shake of her head. “You have me beat by a long shot.”

“And I have my reasons.” I defended myself as I gathered my coffee and food. “I will be in my office if y’all need me. Does anyone know where Olive put her plans for today?”

Playfully, Eliza elbowed Janice. “I think we struck a nerve.”

“Hell, all my nerves would be rattled, too, if I were her.” Janice giggled. “You know we can’t let the day go by without getting on your nerves, Colony. She told me they were in the first drawer of her desk to the left.”

“Thank you. Now, go get your rooms together. We only have fifteen minutes before we open.”

With that, I headed to my office to put my stuff down before going across the hall to Olive’s office.

Not only was she my best friend, but she was also the director of Center of Love.

I didn’t trust anyone with my business besides her.

She was extremely knowledgeable when it came to business and children, which was a win-win for me all the way around.

I got to spend more time with my best friend and godson while knowing my business was in safe hands.

I munched on my oatmeal and avocado toast while looking over Olive’s plans for the day. She had a pretty light day, which worked out for me. It would give me time to get her things done and mine.

After I responded to a few emails, I made my rounds to check on the children.

Since it was the summer, all the classrooms were full.

Olive and I had to hire two seasonal employees to help us get through the high demand, but with how well they were doing, I would more than likely find them a permanent position if they wanted it.

With how quickly Center of Love was growing, a second location would be needed soon.

I would never admit it out loud, but my favorite room was the three- to four-year-old room. They were all so funny and talkative. Their little minds were on go constantly, which meant there was never a dull moment with them.

“Ms. Miles! You’re here!” one of the girls, Kehlani, screamed and ran toward me. Her little arms wrapped around my legs, almost knocking me over. “I was hoping to see you today.”

Embracing her back with one hand and gently caressing her plaits with the other, I replied, “Good morning, Kehlani. You look so pretty, sweet pea.”

“Thank you.” Kehlani took a step back and twirled, showing me her purple dress that matched her bows. “My daddy picked this out for me. He knows purple is my favorite color. His is black. That’s why his truck is black. What’s your favorite color, Ms. Miles? Is it orange?”

“Yes, it is.” I snickered at how she seemed to talk without taking a breath. “Do you like my dress?” Mimicking her, I spun around to give her a better look.

“I love it! You look like a princess.”

“And so do you, Kehlani.”

Kehlani was newer to the center, but she easily became one of the kids I looked forward to seeing.

On her first day, she was nervous. Usually, Olive or the teacher would tend to the child, but there was something about her that tugged at me.

I decided to stick around the center that day to help her get acquainted, and we instantly became besties. She was such a joy to be around.

All the kids were. I’d never witnessed such happy, lovable, and well-mannered kids in my life. I wasn’t sure what was in the air in Maven Falls, but I loved it.

Pinching Kehlani’s peanut buttered-colored cheeks, I informed her I’d be back to check on her later, before going to finish my rounds.

Just as I was finishing up, my phone rang.

I didn’t have to look to know it was my sister, Serenity, calling.

We were having a lunch date, and since my morning was so busy, I hadn’t had a chance to text her back.

“I swear, I was going to text you back once I made it back to my office,” I answered and closed the door behind me.

“Mm-hmm. You’re at the center?”

“Yes. Parker is sick, so I came in to cover Olive.”

“That was sweet of you. Is Parker okay?”

I sighed. “I’m not sure. Olive said she was calling the doctor when they opened, so I guess she’ll update me when they go. What are you up to?”

“Oh, nothing. I’m working from home today, so I’m going over a few things before I take Jacob some lunch. Did you decide where you wanted to meet at? Am I coming there, or are you coming here?”

“Do you mind coming here? I have double the work today, and I want to be close in case anything happens.”

“Of course. Just send me the location, and I’ll be on my way.” There was a pause before Serenity asked, “Have you talked to our parents?”

My threaded brows dipped from the way her voice sounded. “Uh, no. Mama and I usually talk later in the day to debrief. Do I need to call her now?”

“We can call them together when we eat lunch.”

“Serenity.”

“Colony.”