Page 19 of Tell Me You Love Me Again

“Don’t worry about that, Snook. When you’re ready to go out, you can use this truck and I’ll drive the pickup if we don’t find you the car that you want.” I gripped her thigh, and she blushed at the gesture.

“Thank you, Gabe.”

“Stop thanking me, Snook. It’s my job to make sure that you’re always straight.”

We continued our ride to my first destination, which was my trucking company. I had to go over some last-minute filesand emails before I took my leave. When we pulled up to the building, I saw Chiara’s eyes widen in amazement.

“You own this place?” she asked.

“Yeah. Me and my brother do. It may not be much to some people, but this is our baby. Come on, let me show you around.” I got out of the driver’s side and ambled around until I reached the passenger side to help Chiara out. I admired her attire as I helped her down. She changed out of the spandex outfit and into a pair of fitted ripped jeans that exposed both of her knees. She paired it with a cream and tan V-neck sweater and brown ankle boots. She caught me staring, and I didn’t even shy away. I wanted my wife to know just how much I desired her.

With my hand on the small of her back, I led her to the back where the offices were located. Once we reached mine, I opened the door and let her enter before me.

“You can have a seat on the love seat until I’m done. It won’t take me but a few minutes,” I informed.

I watched her as she roamed around my office, taking everything in. I allowed her since I had more pictures of us in here. I saw her stop in front of the picture of us at the annual Black Entrepreneurs banquet earlier this year. My baby was drop dead gorgeous in the chocolate brown gown that accentuated her brown skin perfectly. She was standing in front of me, but instead of looking into the camera, my focus was on her and how beautiful she was.

“Every picture of us, you look at me with so much admiration and passion,” she spoke as she turned around. “Like you’re doing now.”

“That’s because that’s all I see when I look at you,” I revealed.

Before she could respond, someone knocked on the door.

“Yeah?” I called out, still standing behind my wife. The door opened and my brother walked in.

“What y’all doing in here?” he asked, approaching us. Chiara separated from me, and I watched as she went to sit down on the loveseat as I went behind the desk and Gary to the seat in front of my desk.

“I came to make sure everything was straight before I took off. You got all the routes covered and shit?” I questioned.

“Yeah, man. I told you I had it. Everything is going to be good while you’re out. Go get sis out of here,” he insisted.

Hesitantly, I glanced over at Chiara. I know me working all the time was one of our issues. Well, the main one. So by Gary insinuating that I worked a lot could have triggered the wrong memory.

“I’ll be gone in a minute. I’m taking Chiara around before stopping over at Ma and Pops.”

“Aight. I’ll let you do that. Hit me up later on.” He got up and gave me a dap before heading toward Chiara.

“Aight, sis. I’ll see you later. Take care.” He leaned down and kissed her cheek before slipping back out of the door.

“If you have work to do, I don’t mind waiting,” she said once Gary was gone.

“Nah. You don’t have to wait. I’m not even going to be here long. Once I send this response, we can leave.” I was baffled at how understanding she could be now but not even a week ago she was giving me hell about working.

Deciding not to dwell on the past, I quickly finished up my work, and we were headed back out the door. I stopped by my brother’s office before I left, and now Chiara and I were on our way to the mall.

When I pulled up to the mall, her neck immediately snapped in my direction.

“We’re going shopping?” she asked.

“Yep. I want to spend the day doing what my baby loves best, and that’s shopping and eating.” We shared a laugh. “Plus, weneed to get you a new phone.” After giving her the rundown of our day, I helped her out of the truck and held her hand as we strolled inside of the mall. It was still early, so it wasn’t as packed as it would be later.

We walked into the mall hand in hand while she dictated which direction we would go in. Our first stop was Bath & Body Works. I knew she would stop in here for these damn candles. The sale sign on the outside wasn’t any help either. I stood back and watched her go to different tables and smell different candles before she put them in her basket. The way she was piling them up, I knew she would be needing a new one soon. Taking the initiative, I went up to the hostess and asked for another cart. When I walked up to Chiara, she smiled as I swapped baskets with her. We stayed in there about twenty more minutes before she was ready to check out. I paid for the candles and carried the bags out of the store with her small hand encased inside of my free one.

“Where to next?” I asked.

“I want to go into that boutique. That dress in the window is stunning,” she mentioned. Nodding, I tilted my head for her to lead the way. Just like in the previous store, I stayed close by. I didn’t know how she would react seeing someone who recognized her, and I didn’t want to take any chances of her having a panic attack or some shit. So far, our shopping trip has been going smoothly. Our last stop was AT&T, so I could replace her phone. Since they were having a promotion, I upgraded my baby, and she couldn’t stop smiling. This is what I love. All I ever wanted to do was make her smile and keep her smiling, but she didn’t understand though. I was really out here trying to give her everything that she asked for without reverting back to the streets, but at one point I felt like it was all in vain, especially when she thought I was fucking off and went and got herselfhurt. I must’ve been deep in my thoughts because I didn’t hear Chiara calling me until I felt her small hands touch my forearm.

“Gabe?” she called out again.

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