Chapter 17
SEVENTEEN
“Dean… Dean… Dr. Morris,” Lexie calls out, pulling me from my thoughts of last night.
“Yes. I’m listening,” I lie because clearly I wasn’t.
My fear of riding a motorcycle seems outrageous after last night.
One ride and I’m a new aficionado of all things motorcycles.
Exhilarating is the best way to describe the feeling of the cool night air against my face through the open vent of my helmet as we traveled through the city.
I enjoyed our closeness, the relaxing hum of the engine, and the joy on his face from having me on his bike.
The best part, however, was our stop at an old A-line bridge right outside of Diamond Falls.
Under the dark stone arches of the bridge and the star-lit sky, we made love on his bike.
Saying yes to Shiro was the easiest thing I’ve ever done.
There was no hesitation, no second guessing, no processing, I simply said what my heart, body, and mind wanted…
needed. It’s amazing how sometimes being loved the right way, by the right man, makes me fall in love with new things because he brings out all the best parts of me.
“Where did you drift off to?” Lexie asks, squinting.
We were discussing my calendar for next week.
She said something I don’t even remember but whatever it was caused my mind to wander back to last night.
Honestly, it’s been stuck on last night all day.
“I lost you for about five minutes.” She grins and I join her.
“It’s been a week and I’m just ready for the weekend,” I say.
“That’s the one thing I hate about taking off. When you come back, there’s so much more to do in less days.”
“True but Hawaii was amazing. I have no regrets and I would redo this jam-packed week all over again to go back.” I glance at the clock and see it’s almost four. “Get out of here; I’m leaving myself.”
“As soon as I discuss this dismissal with the registrar, I’m leaving,” she assures me, then stands.
“Okay. Well, have a good weekend if I don’t see you.”
“You too.”
When she walks out, I log off my laptop and disconnect it from the docking station. After placing it in my bag, I turn off my Keurig and tea brewer and close my blinds. The minute I step back to my desk, my cell vibrates. It’s a text from Giselle in our group chat.
Giselle: Are you sure I don’t need to bring anything tonight?
Alex: Kyrah’s hosting… LET HER!
Giselle: I am. I’m just being a good guest and want to bring something.
Me: I have everything. Only bring yourself dressed in cute tropical colors.
Reya: So there will be food? I’m not asking. Your little niece in my belly is. She’s hungry.
Me: I HAVE EVERYTHING. Just be on time. (Alex)
Alex: Not I’m being called out. Just for that, I’ll be there at 6:59.
Me: You better!
Before leaving the office, I send one final text to my event coordinator for tonight.
I’m channeling my inner Giselle and going all out.
Tae of Haute Events and her team are transforming my lanai and cocktail pool into Maui in Crescent Falls and I’ve catered a three-course Hawaiian meal.
To tell my friends my amazing news, I want to transport them back to the place where it happened.
On my drive home, I call my man. He doesn’t answer but calls back a few seconds later. He was finishing a vehicle.
“How long are you going to be there this evening?” I ask.
“Till close. Black got a cold or some shit. He’s sick as a dog and left about an hour ago. We have four drop-offs in the morning, so I need to clear this garage before I leave.”
“Damn. I hate that. You can’t do it all by yourself. You might need to hire some help.”
“Yeah. I know. Between Niko and Black out, it’s a lot. TJ knows his way under a hood. I might get him in here to help while he’s here on leave.”
“Maybe he can tomorrow.”
“Maybe, I’ll holla at him. Are you ready for your big night?”
“I am. I can’t wait to get home and see the setup. The caterer is coming at five and the girls at seven. I’m excited. What are y’all having tonight?” I ask and he chuckles.
“Not no Hawaiian feast. Baby, our nights are gon’ be so different. We’ll probably just order something.”
“Well, one thing about our night will be the same.”
“And what’s that?”
“We’re going to be all over each other in your bed. I’m waking up in your arms tomorrow to make sure you start your busy Saturday relaxed.”
“Shit, I like the sound of that already. You spoiling a nigga. I should have given you that ring a long time ago,” he jokes.
“It’s more than the ring; it’s that other ring too. You know I love your piercing. But seriously, it’s all of you,” I admit, because this time, I know I got it right. Shiro is my true forever and my heart is safe with him. Knowing that is a feeling I can’t even put into words.
“Nah, baby is all you,” he counters, then I hear someone yell something in the background. “Baby, I gotta go. Have fun with yo’ girls.”
“I love you.”
“Love you, baby.”
I end the call then continue to Seasonal Sweets to pick up my order of mini pineapple upside down cheesecakes with ring toppers. Along with telling them about my engagement, I’m also asking them to be my bridesmaids. I have personalized gift baskets for each of them.
Between traffic and my stop for the cheesecakes, I make it home right on time.
Five minutes after arriving home, the workers from A La Carte are ringing my bell.
I let the chef, servers, and bartender in and lead them to the kitchen.
Then I walk out to the lanai to see the setup.
My mouth falls open as soon as I step out. Tae outdid herself.
“Does this feel like Maui?” she asks as she approaches with a smile.
“Does it! Tae, it’s perfect. I didn’t even think about the pool,” I gush.
“When I first surveyed the space, I knew I wanted frangipani floating in the pool. The lights were added once I placed the flowers.”
“I love it. I love everything,” I admit as I take it all in.
My lanai looks like a little piece of Maui.
There’s a tiki bar with a raffia-style fringe canopy and wicker bar stools.
Lit tiki torches and my firepit provide the right amount of warmth for the cool night.
Marquee letters spelling ALOHA with a large pineapple for the O are in one corner and a triple tiki fountain in the other.
My favorite is the dining area. In the midst of large arrangements of tropical plants and flowers is the beautifully decorated table, with flower and pineapple centerpieces.
“I’m so glad you like it,” she says.
“Love it.”
“Is the bartender here? I can show her the tiki bar before we leave.”
“Yes. She’s in the kitchen. You can follow me in.”
“Good and we’ll be here tomorrow to pick everything up after nine.”
“That’s fine. Use the same codes to access everything and thank you so much again. I’m in love.”
“Just leave us a review,” she says with a smile.
“Of course.”
Tae follows me into the house. I start to introduce everyone but they are already acquainted, so I leave them and journey upstairs to get ready. I need to shower, get my braids together, then change into a cute tropical print, wide leg jumpsuit.
When I open my bedroom door to head downstairs, my nose is instantly blessed with the delicious smells coming from the kitchen.
On the menu are ahi tuna poke tasting spoons, Kona coffee braised short ribs, huli huli chicken, Yukon gold and taro root mashed potatoes, and sauteed baby bok choy.
Shiro ordered those ribs on our last night in Maui and I’ve been craving them since. I also chose the ribs for him.
“This smells so good,” I tell them as soon as I enter the kitchen.
“We’re almost done and will be ready for service right at seven,” Kiki, the chef, says.
“Let’s say seven-fifteen. One of them will inevitably be late. I just need the drinks ready on time for sure.”
“The bar is all set and the two drinks you requested are ready to be sampled and approved,” she says.
I requested a Mai Tai and a pineapple margarita. Rum is really popular in Hawaii but I need my tequila.
“Thanks. Before I go out, I just need to make sure there’s a slab of ribs put up.”
“Yes. I actually have the ribs and some of the chicken in the container on the end of the island.” She nods toward it. “Did you want any of the poke put aside?”
“No,” I say, then smile, remembering Shiro’s frown when he tasted the poke I had on the boat when we whale watched. “Definitely, no poke. The ribs and chicken are fine, plus the sides.”
“I got you.”
I leave the kitchen then walk out to the lanai. The sun has started to set and the lights from the pool and tiki torches beautifully illuminate the space. Before stepping over to the bar, I turn on the surround sound and start one of my favorite playlists.
When I step to the bar, the bartender places three small glasses on the counter. I must have frowned because she quickly says, “This is just for you to sample. The fresh pineapples are cut and ready for the actual drinks.”
“Oh okay,” I say and relax.
One by one she pours samples into the cups. “The Mai Tai, pineapple margarita, and the pineapple mocktail,” she points out.
I sample all three, and while they are really good, my favorite is the margarita, of course. “There’s a slight spice in the margarita. What is that?”
“I infused the tequila with a jalapeno. I can make it with regular tequila if it’s too spicy or you don’t like it.”
“No. I really like it. It cuts the sweetness of the pineapple. Definitely keep it and pour me a real cup,” I say with a smile.