48. Love
LOVE
“Did he say what happened?”
I sighed.
“Yeah, he told me what I needed to know. T. K. set up my brother.” Making a right turn, I cast a glance in her direction. “But knowing ain’t make shit better for me. I still can’t get my brother out.”
“No, it can’t, but I bet I know what did feel good,” she joked, and I already knew where she was going with this.
“What’s that?” I played along, kissing her knuckles.
“Beating the shit out of T.K.”
Chuckling, I licked my lips. The look on his face when I knocked him to the floor did have me feeling satisfied. He had that coming a long time ago, ever since he sent my Baby to prison.
“Yeah. That shit did make me happy,” I admitted, seeing her smile at my admission.
“You so crazy,” she told me, shaking her head.
“I’m crazy about you, Baby,” I corrected her, staring into her eyes with admiration. Her smile disappeared, replaced with a look so intense, it made my heart skip a beat.
I meant every word, and when we stopped at a red light, I couldn’t wait to kiss her. The rest of the way we were quiet, both in our own heads, anticipating what the night would bring. She didn’t speak up again until we were in the parking lot.
“Is this…” she questioned with a confused look.
“Uh huh, we need a do-over. This time we won’t be interrupted.” I turned the car off and hopped out, going around to her side. Bringing her back to the place I got arrested in might’ve been a bad idea, but I wanted to do it right this time.
“This place didn’t give me good memories, Love,” she stumbled over her words when I opened her door, taking her hand to help her out the car.
“I know, so we finna make some new ones.” I led her to the door. “You just gotta trust me.”
“Okay,” she said, tightening her hold.
Walking up to the door, I knocked on it twice. Baby looked at me crazy, wondering what I was doing, but after a few minutes, it swung open with a familiar face staring back at me.
“Here’s my favorite person. Come on in.” I sucked my teeth. His ass be flipping sides real quick. He moved out of the way to let us through.
“GD, you say the same thing to Valentine,” I spoke facts, using my thumb to caress her hand as we walked.
“Nonsense. That knucklehead ain’t my damn favorite, he’s too hardheaded. Look where he’s at now,” he vented, and he could go all day if you let him. Baby looked back and forth between us, wondering how we knew each other.
“Oh! GD, this is Baby…” I pointed to her before my hand pointed to him. “Baby, this was my pop’s best friend.”
“That’s all I am? I should kick yo’ ass out right now.” I waved, sucking my teeth.
He frowned at me.
“I wiped his shitty ass and he standing here disowning me.” She giggled as he faced her, his hand out for her to shake. “Nice to meet you, Baby. I’m Trent Raymond, I'm Love’s Godfather.”
She extended her free arm to shake his hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Raymond.”
She shot me a look, and I smirked, kissing her knuckles. I knew it was gone be hard to find somewhere to take her on Valentine’s Day, and this place is the only one who’ll always serve me, no matter what. My GD was on vacation around that time, but all the workers here knew me personally.
The worst part, though, was getting arrested in his place of business. This was my first time seeing him after that accident, but he had a lot to say earlier when I hit him up.
“Call me Trent. I’ve heard so much about you, pretty lady.”
“You did?” She smiled.
“Sure did. Love bragged about you like a ten-year-old with a crush, didn’t you, boy?”
She looked at me for confirmation. I stared back with a blank expression, shaking my head back and forth.
“Quit that lying, Love.” He locked eyes with Baby. “Personally, I don’t see why you like him.”
She giggled again. “Anyway, let’s get y’all seated. I’m going home to my wife but stay as long as you want to. Everybody knows what to do.” He gave me a knowing look, and left us standing there at the door.
“Come on.” I pulled her away from the door.
“We didn’t come this way the last time,” she pointed out, looking around.
“Yes, we did, Baby.” I turned the knob that led into the main dining area. Smiling to myself, I pushed it all the way open, so she could see inside. Immediately, her hands started clamming up as she let out a gasp.
“Love? You did all this? Where is everybody?”
“We have it to ourselves for the night,” I let her know.
“Are you serious?” she asked in disbelief.
Leading her to the table in the middle of the floor, I watched her sit down before kissing her forehead.
This damn girl gone be the death of me.