Page 71 of For the Lover in You
Epilogue
One Year Later ...
I groaned as I stood up from the recliner chair. I could hear the loud screams and laughs from outside as I rose to my feet. I checked the time on my phone, and it was a little after three p.m., and I knew the party was on the way. Before I could gather the rest of my thoughts, there was a knock on the door.
"Come in," I called.
I already knew who it was, but she made a vow never to enter my man cave without an invitation. She wanted to give me respect and space, even though I didn't care if she barged in or not. I smiled at Mila as her beautiful face peered in the doorway. Her skin glistened under the light. She rocked long, black, small braids that damn near touched the floor. She had on a yellow flowing sundress, and her breasts sat at attention.
"You're up, sleepyhead?" she asked, smiling.
"I am." I walked over toward her, pulling her further into the room, kissing her lips. I smacked her ass as she giggled.
"Don't start your shit, Trey. The party just started, and people are asking about you. The kids are in the pool, and the caterer is here. Everyone is looking for you, including yourmama. She said that if your narrow ass isn't outside in five minutes, she's coming up here to get you herself."
I shrugged. "Does it look like I care? They can wait longer."
I rubbed my hand up her thigh, and she swatted my hand away. "I'm not playing with you, Trey. Put a decent shirt on and get out there."
"Yes, ma'am," I joked.
She went to leave, but I stopped her. "Where are you going?"
"I'm going to go tell everyone that you're on the way."
"Nah, I want you to walk out with me."
She raised an eyebrow. "Huh? Come on and stop being silly."
"I'm not," I insisted, sliding my shirt over my head. "This wouldn't have happened had it not been for you. We share this together."
"Trey..."
"If it weren't for you and your dedication, I wouldn't be opening the new offices. You played a huge hand in this through the recruitment, the decorating, the design, and the layout. This is just as much of your win as it is mine."
"I-I don't know what to say."
"Say nothing. Just make sure you're on my arm when we walk through the door. Let Chasity or Trina know to send KJ up here."
"Babe, he's wet from being in the pool."
"That's okay. That's just letting everyone know how authentic we are." I kissed her cheek.
"He's gonna be mad you're pulling him out of the pool with his cousins," Mila voiced as she pulled out her phone to call Chasity.
I shrugged. "My boy knows I'll make it up to him, so it's all good."
While she told Chasity to send KJ up, I checked myself in the mirror to make sure I was presentable to our guests. Today wehad close friends and family over at the house to celebrate the opening of my two new offices. Even though I had decided not to open the two, Mila would not let me put my goals on hold. She came up with the idea of hiring two managers to run each office. Due to our attending the real estate conference, she was able to connect with a few people who she thought would be good for the job. She also played a part in the hiring process of agents and office managers. She had been informally coined the title of HR of Houston Realtor. Mila pushed me and threatened to walk away from all of this if I didn't open the offices. Her threat scared me, and I moved forward, with her by my side, calling the shots.
Mila owned that role. The way she took meetings, held trainings, and sometimes had to put a motherfucker in their place, she killed it. She even fell so in love with her duties that she enrolled back in school for human resources. She had found a passion, and it was all on her own. This celebration wouldn't be happening if it weren't for her.
I smiled at Mila as she typed away on her phone. She was focused and determined.
"Work shit?"
She looked at me and sighed. "How did you know?"
"I know there ain't no man out here alive crazy enough to text that fucking phone. Plus, when you're focused, your eyebrows pinch in."
