Chapter 19
NINETEEN
Today has been a day. Seeing Kym outside of Redmond’s nearly took my breath away.
For almost five years, we have managed not to run into each other.
That feat alone was nothing but God because He knew I wasn’t ready.
Mentally and emotionally I didn’t have the acumen needed then to see her and act like I had some damn sense.
My last words to her were uttered three days after my divorce was final.
She had the audacity to call to let me know she was marrying him.
Our sisterhood and bond were forever shattered after that call.
Some betrayals are just unforgivable and sleeping with my husband and marrying him was it for me.
I will never forgive her, but after today, I will forget about her.
Many may not agree with me, but honestly I don’t give a damn.
I know what I need to move on and protect my heart.
She has the man she deserves and I have the man I was intended to have.
And he was there with me today while I got the peace I needed.
I’ve been smiling since we left Redmond’s.
I even took myself on a retail therapy spree to celebrate the release of that chapter in my life after Shiro left.
Winter is officially here and my new boots, peacoat, and two new sweater dresses will get the proper usage.
Around three I head to Diamond Falls to pick up Shuga.
We arrive at Taste of Italy right at five and are seated fifteen minutes later.
I love everything about Shuga: her style, her strength, and the way she carries herself.
I especially love her ’fro. She’s been trying new styles, but its luster and grandeur is still intact.
Today, she has flat twists across the front.
“I love your hair. Did you do that?” I ask.
“Sweetheart, no. First of all, I cannot do hair, never could, and second, my poor hands would be cussing me out. I can’t cramp them up trying to learn after all these years. I have to preserve them for my art.”
“I completely understand. That’s why I wear braids and pay someone to do them. I cannot and will not do my hair.”
“And it’s always pretty too.”
“Thank you,” I say, then scan the menu. The hostess took our drink orders as soon as we were seated. We’d opted for water and a pitcher of Italian Sangria. “Do you know what you want to eat?”
“Yes. The deluxe trio. I can get all my pasta tastes in one plate and eat it for two days. I just sub the spaghetti for rigatoni. It’s really good.”
“It looks good,” I admit. “But Shiro and I had a big breakfast. I think I’m going to get stuffed meatballs and a side salad.”
Our conversation is briefly interrupted when our drinks and bread for the table arrive and our server introduces herself. Since we know what we want, we order. I fill our glasses while Shuga starts on the delicious bread. I can honestly fill up on it and the seasoned olive oil for dipping.
“Should we toast?” Shuga asks and I smile because we definitely have something to celebrate.
“Absolutely,” I gush.
“How about to that stunning ring on your finger?” She smirks and I gasp.
I didn’t even think about my beautiful ring. It’s a permanent fixture on my finger now.
“Close your mouth. I noticed it as soon as I got in your car. Shiro?”
“Yes. He proposed in Maui, and of course I said yes,” I gush.
“Then let’s make this toast quick so I can get my hug,” she says, smiling hard. “To forever.” She raises her glass and I do the same.
“Forever,” I repeat and our glass clink.
“Congratulations!” We stand and embrace. “It took you too long enough,” she teases. Once back in her chair, she takes a sip of her drink then says, “Now please tell me it was just a proposal and not a whole private marriage like Quintus and Mireya.”
“No. We are just engaged. We’re not getting married until spring and we were hoping to have a small ceremony and reception at the cabin, in the beautiful backyard.”
“I love that!” she rushes out. “That’s exactly why I purchased it for family gatherings and celebrations. I hope I’m helping with this. I don’t care what, just please include me. I won’t step on anybody’s toes. I’m not the mother of the bride but—”
“I don’t know if she’ll be involved,” I say, cutting her off. The words taste bitter as hell as they fall from my lips.
“Oh no. Is she…” Shuga begins, then pauses.
“She’s in Crescent Falls and I love her but we just aren’t in agreement on something right now.”
“The wedding’s not till spring. That means you have time to come to an agreement, if that’s possible.
If not, I understand, but you only get one mother.
If there’s a tiny chance you can work this out, try.
I would be devastated if I missed one of my boys’ weddings.
Quintus got a pass because they didn’t have one but you saw how I was about their dinner.
I was there front and center,” she says.
I say a tiny prayer that my mother has an ounce of Shuga’s love for her children.
“Just think about it.” Since I can’t make any promises, I give her a wry smile with my eyes and take a huge, much needed gulp of my drink.
“Well, what’re the colors? Do you have a planner?
What’s on the menu?” she fires off, picking up on my desire to switch the subject from my mom.
“The colors are lavender and cream. I have a planner in mind. I just need to ask her. I was waiting on your approval for the cabin. As for the food, I’m letting that be Shiro’s choice.”
“Then I’m cooking,” she gushes.
“No. I want you looking pretty and just enjoying the day. If he wants Nigerian food, we can get Taste of Nigeria to cater.”
“Maybe I’ll just cook one dish,” she says and I grin. She just has to cook for her family.
“We’ll see.”
“This is such wonderful news.”
“Maybe you can bring a date?” I question. She still is tight lipped about that dating event, so I thought I’d try.
“We’ll see,” she says. The server returns with our food, and as she places it on the table, Shuga says, “Saved by the bell.”
I don’t press because she’s not giving up the details.
As we eat, we focus on everything but that.
We talk about Maui, the cabin, and my upcoming wedding.
Time flies so effortlessly that I almost forget to order Shiro something to-go.
He’s getting off late and will be hungry.
When I garner the attention of our server, I also get the unexpected attention of someone walking in.
Lord, two bitches in one day?
What is really going on?
The stupid little trick who begged for that ass whopping at Shiro’s shop just entered and is seated just two tables from us.
When our eyes meet, I roll mine and she darts hers away.
The server thankfully returns and I place my to-go order.
The minute the server walks away, Shuga stares at me with a smirk.
“So I’m guessing she knows you?” Shuga says in a questioning tone.
“Who?” I ask, although I have an idea.
“The young lady staring the entire time you were placing your order. She and her companion were.”
“Trust me, she’s not important,” I say, then look back in her direction. She quickly turns her head, but not before I catch her doing exactly what Shuga said.
“Oh my goodness. That’s her. That’s the girl from the shop, the one you—”
“Wait! You know about that? Shiro told you what happened?” I ask incredulously with a little attitude because I know he didn’t.
“No, no. It wasn’t Shiro. He didn’t tell me anything; one of his brothers did.”
“Oh my God!” Shaking my head, I add, “Why would they tell you?”
“They don’t keep much from me. I encouraged it when they were kids and a few of them haven’t outgrown it. It’s fine. I probably would have done the same thing. Some disrespect deserves contact,” she says before finishing her second glass of sangria.
Shuga never ceases to amaze me.
For the sake of this restaurant and my peace, I don’t even glance back at the table. I may be on her mind but she definitely isn’t on mine. She tried me; I beat her ass and got the man. There’s no competition, especially when I’ve already won.
I pour myself another glass of sangria and eat another meatball.
Four large ones came with the order but two are really enough.
Shuga and I continue to talk until the server returns with Shiro’s food bagged, the check, and to-go containers for our leftovers.
Shuga insists on paying, but of course, I refuse because this is my treat.
As we pack up to leave, Shuga looks over at the table.
“I guess they left,” Shuga says. “You ran her off.” Shuga grins as we leave.
“Baby, all of this?” Shiro asks when he walks into my living room.
“Yes. Probate is a really big deal. For weeks, she’s been working hard and it all pays off tomorrow night. This really isn’t that much. You should see what Reya has.”
“And how long do we have to be there?” he asks.
“DAZ is first, so maybe an hour. It’ll go by fast. I promise. Plus, you might actually like it.”
Tomorrow night is Alami’s probate and I’m so proud of her.
She made it and we are all invited. Reya and I are naturally doing the most. FREE 23 posters for Alami are all over my living room floor along with enough new DAZ paraphernalia for ten sorors.
Reya and I are going to decorate her dorm tomorrow right before probate.
December has arrived, and as usual, it’s been hectic.
It’s the final week before winter break, and besides DAZ faculty advisor duties, I’ve been dealing with final grade submission deadlines, preparing for new students who enter during the upcoming term, and finalizing the schedules for the spring semester.