Chapter 13
It was the day of the anniversary party, and I couldn’t wait to go downstairs.
I was excited about the party, but I was more anxious to see Avalon after not seeing her or being able to talk to her.
That email shit drove me crazy, but that was the only way she chose to correspond with me.
I offered to help her with anything she needed to set up, but she assured me that she was fine.
I did make sure there were plenty of my staff on hand to assist her in any way she needed.
I gave them strict instructions that no matter what she asked for, she got it.
I didn’t give a damn if they had to go out and get it for her.
They didn’t know that they would get a bonus once everything was over and as long as they provided good service.
Regardless, they got paid well, but the bonus was for them going the extra mile.
I spent the first part of the day relaxing and reading until it was time to go.
Before I left my suite to go downstairs, I grabbed one of the gift baskets I got for Avalon.
There were two of them, but I wanted her to come to my place to get the other one.
That may have been a childish move, but I had to find a way to get her away from everyone else.
We needed private time to fix things between us, and I knew we wouldn’t be able to have that conversation in the middle of the ballroom.
As I rode the elevator down, my stomach was in knots.
I never had to worry about trying to fix a relationship, so all this shit was new to me.
I hoped that Avalon would be able to give us a real try.
We were on a good path until Tamika came along.
I just wanted to be sure that she wouldn’t run as soon as someone said something, because I was sure that Tamika wasn’t the only one that would be hating on our relationship.
I needed to reassure her that she was it for me, and she had nothing to worry about.
The hallway near the ballroom was bustling with people as soon as I stepped off the elevator. Loud music filled the hallway along with multiple conversations. There were black-and-gold balloons near the entrance, along with a sign that welcomed people to the party.
I spoke to multiple people as I entered.
Avalon did her thing with the decorations.
Everything was either black, gold, or diamond looking.
She had gotten the small plaques she mentioned, and they were on the tables at each place setting so each guest could take one home.
There was a bigger one in the center of the tables.
Behind the plaques were black-and-gold rose bouquets.
She had even gotten glitter or something that looked like diamonds and had them sprinkled on the table around the rose vase.
Basically, everything she mentioned getting, she got and then some.
I had a feeling she would end up with a few new clients before the night was over.
I had to make my rounds, so I tucked her basket in a safe place and made my way through the room.
I couldn’t help but search the room for Avalon, and when my eyes landed on her, my heart raced.
She looked so damn beautiful in a black dress that stopped a little above the knee, with heels that added at least three inches to her already tall height.
Her hair was up, and I was jealous at the way she laughed while she talked to some guy.
I didn’t know who he was, and I didn’t like the way he had her showing all her teeth.
Before I got a chance to approach them, I felt a pat on my back.
“That’s her?” Kairo asked as he came up next to me.
“That is. Who the fuck is that she talking to, though?” My jaw clenched as I watched her touch his arm, and he moved closer. I didn’t think she even realized she touched people when she laughed, but I noticed it one of the first times we had a conversation.
“I’m not sure. Maybe he’s one of your guests and just happened to find out about the party.”
“If he don’t back up, he won’t be a guest for too long.”
My hand curled into a fist as I held it at my side. I never felt so possessive over a woman in my life. That damn Avalon had me acting totally out of character. I knew I couldn’t make a scene, though, because this was my place of business, and there were way too many people here.
“Calm down, Bro.” Kairo chuckled. “I don’t think she’s even interested in dude. You see how she backed up when he got closer.”
I noticed, and the minute she became uncomfortable, I would be over there to escort his ass out. I didn’t have to worry for too long, because someone had walked over there to get her attention.
“Relax. I’m sure the two of you will have time to talk sometime tonight.
In the meantime, mingle with everyone. Make sure they remember why this hotel has been around for as long as it has.
This night isn’t just about the Bishop family name, but also everything you have done to keep this place running. You deserve to be celebrated as well.”
Kairo had always been my voice of reason, and without my brother, I may have done some crazy stuff. He had his moments in the past, but he always thought about his actions before reacting.
“You’re right. It’s crazy that I even felt jealous. I ain’t never been jealous of anyone.” I shook my head.
“That’s what happens when you have real feelings for someone. There go Mycah and Karma; let me go see my wife. Don’t do anything crazy.” Kairo patted my back then walked away.
Apparently, he had rode by himself because Mycah and Karma had gone somewhere, and it just made sense for them to get ready at Karma’s place.
I watched my brother speak to our sister and his fiancée for a second, then I went to make my rounds.
It took everything in my power not to approach Avalon because when I did, I needed her undivided attention.
I wasn’t going to wait too long, though.
“Damn, who that?” Jacoby asked as he approached me at the bar.
“Who?”
“The chick talking to the one with the black dress.”
I followed his line of vision, and my eyes landed on Avalon and some chick.
“I don’t know. Let’s go find out.” I smirked and put my glass down.
Jacoby and I walked across the room while Avalon and the chick talked and giggled.
When we approached, they both looked at us. I noticed the way Avalon’s breathing changed when her eyes landed on me.
“You did your thing, baby,” I said to Avalon. “This looks ten times better than I thought it would.” I stepped closer to her, and I was thankful that she didn’t move away.
Her smile lit up her whole face, and that shit made me smile.
“Thank you. I’m glad you let me take the reins on this. Everyone seems to be having a good time.” She looked around the room. “You should be proud of yourself.”
I felt my chest swell when her eyes landed on me again.
“I am.”
I heard someone clear their throat, but I didn’t pay them any mind. Avalon did when she turned to her left and looked at the chick.
“My bad, Cousin. This is Koda and—”
“Jacoby.” Jacoby held his hand out as he focused on the chick.
She smirked at him and told him her name. “Diamond. It’s nice to meet you Jacoby, and Koda.”
I reached for Avalon’s hand, and she let me with no hesitation. Jacoby and Diamond seemed to forget that we were standing there.
“I have something for you as a token of my appreciation,” I told her when we walked a few steps away from them.
“Really? You didn’t have to. You paid me very well.”
“True, but it’s not just for this; it’s my way of trying to fix things between us.
” My thumb rubbed the inside of her hand.
“We don’t have to talk right now, but I do want us to have a conversation before the night is over.
I also have another gift for you upstairs.
” I led Avalon to the small conference room where I hid her first gift.
When I opened the door, I grabbed it and passed it to her.
“What’s this?” she asked as she peered into the basket.
“Open it and see.”
She pulled the paper off, and her eyes lit up as a smile covered her face.
“Apples.”
“Not just any apples. These came from this chick named Church out in Oregon. She has her own apple orchard and a hair care line,” I informed her.
I didn’t tell her that I had also gotten her some hair stuff from that same orchard. She would find out when she got her other gift at the end of the night.
“Thank you, Koda.” She threw herself at me, and I made sure to catch her.
I thought it would be a quick hug, but instead, she held on to me, and I loved every minute of it. She smelled so damn good like she always did.
“You’re welcome, baby. You look beautiful tonight.” I leaned back and kissed her forehead.
“Thank you. I almost thought you would have worn dress shoes, but I’m not surprised you didn’t.”
I shrugged. “Glad you know.” I held on to her for a few moments.
The party was in full swing on the other side of the door as the bass from the music knocked, but we were in our own little quiet bubble. I didn’t want to let her go, but I knew I had to for the moment. If things went the way I hoped, I would have all night to hold her.
“I think your friend might like my cousin. Is he anything like you were?”
Jacoby was my dog, but one thing I would never do was lie for him, and lying to Avalon was definitely out of the question if I wanted things to work.
“To be honest, he’s worse. Not to tell too much of his business, but he had it rough growing up, and that shit carried into adulthood. He’s not a bad person, but he’s never taken anyone seriously.”
She wore a sly grin, then said, “Oh, well he might have met his match. If I were you, I’d tell him to be careful. Diamond doesn’t give a damn about a man’s feelings.”
“I guess they’ll have to figure that out on their own. My only concern is this thing between us. I don’t like the space we are in, and I’m not trying to go any more days without seeing or talking to you. Can we go upstairs and talk? I don’t even care about the party anymore; you are my priority.”
She didn’t answer right away, and I didn’t rush her. If she wanted to take all night to answer, then that was fine with me. I wasn’t letting her out of my sight until we had a real conversation.
Just being in her presence was enough for me. It was crazy how much I missed her, and it hadn’t even been that long. I wasn’t sure if I was ready to tell her that I loved her, but I felt like it was close.
“Yes. Is there someone that could handle everything? I don’t want anyone to talk shit about me once I leave.”
“Everything will be handled, and if anyone say something out of pocket, then they will be dealt with.”
“Let’s go then.”
I grabbed the basket with one hand, then her hand with the other, and we left the conference room.
Kairo knew how much I wanted to fix things with Avalon, and he would have no problem taking care of everything, and Karma would help him if needed.
My staff was also very capable of putting the ballroom back together.
I also hired cleaners that were scheduled to arrive when the party was set to be over.
The only thing on my mind was Avalon.