Page 46 of Pleasuring Professor Pisces
“Some people can get the fuck out my face. If they are not for us, baby, they are not with us. From here on out, it’s you and me, making moves. We’re not living for anyone else. We spent months avoiding what was meant to be because of them hating ass niggas at the college.”
“You’re right,” I replied before I took another bite of my pizza.
He kissed my neck, and we resumed eating.
“You know I love you, right?” he asked when we finished eating as the other men returned to unloading the truck.
“You’d better after we bought this house together.”
“It’s you and me, baby, until the end of time. I promise you that.”
He kissed my lips and returned to the guys. Chelsea came to stand by my side.
“Are you happy with your choices?”
“Yeah.”
“Good.”
“Sometimes, I feel we did it backwards. We were supposed to date for a while, marry, buy the house, and have a kid. That’s the traditional way, Chels.”
“Nothing about you and this man has ever been traditional, Koi. You don’t have to live according to other people’s expectations. It’s time that you embrace your happiness. Youdeserve it. You have been through a lot with the relationships from your past and that school. Do you, boo.”
“He brings out the best in me. I thank God for him every day. I got it right this time.”
Salem turned to look at me as he carried a large sculpture inside. He blew a kiss at me and winked. My heart was full, and my soul was happy.
TWO WEEKS LATER
I parkedmy car in the side lot because the front lot was filled. There was a large turnout in the community today. I had been here earlier for the grand opening, but then I had to rush to the other side of town for a meeting with an art gallery owner who wanted to do a showing of my work at his gallery.
That was two and a half hours ago, and I was just now making it back to this side of town. I headed inside the center and walked around. There was a large crowd even after all this time. I knew everyone was excited about the center in the community.
Not only was Salem offering career coaching for men who needed a second chance in life, but he would also hold monthly home ownership seminars to help people who wanted to purchase their own home but didn’t know where to start.
In addition to the home-buying workshops, he would hold monthly workshops on home improvement and landscaping for those who wanted to improve their skills. All of that was being displayed today.
I found him standing with Nate and another man. He held his arm out for me, and I instantly went to him. He curved an arm around my waist and greeted me with a kiss before he made introductions.
“Baby, remember the guy I told you about who was in charge of the program that I got into when I got out of prison?”
“Yes.”
“This is him, Donald Carver. The man who changed my life. Don, this is my lady, Koi Hall.”
Donald smiled at me and extended his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Professor Hall.”
“It’s just Ms. Hall now.”
“Maybe, and maybe not,” Donald replied, causing me to frown.
“Baby, I’ve been talking with Donald extensively about some other things we had planned for the center. Aside from the speaking engagements I will do and the career coaching, we want to offer career courses.”
“Seriously?” I asked in surprise.
“Yeah. Don and I had been talking about it for a while, but I wasn’t certain what the reception would be. Don researched the demographics, and we interviewed and surveyed the community. We found that there’s a high level of interest.”
“That’s great, baby. Have you thought about how to finance the courses, what you’ll offer, accreditation, and where you’ll get your staff from?”
