Page 85 of One Hotlanta Night
“Hush, girlie, and listen to Mama Claire. I know what I’m talking about. I’ve relied on you too much, and it’s time for you to fly the nest.”
I think she’s been reading too many Dr. Seuss books lately with all these analogies she’s coming up with.
“Honestly, I’m a little jealous.”
I look at her, flabbergasted.
“I mean it, chica. Going somewhere that family and friends, even well-meaning ones,” she raises her eyebrows at me, “can’t interfere or put their two cents in is priceless. A gift, really. You and Michael can sort things out without anyone sticking their nose in your business. It’ll be just the two of you, working it out together. You’ll have to rely on one another. No running home to mama… or Mama Claire.” She winks.
“Seriously, this is a great opportunity. And in a beautiful place like Miami?” She rolls her eyes back and pretends to fan herself. “Gee, I feelsobad for you. Palm trees and warm sand? You poor thing, you.”
I giggle and shove her shoulder.
“And all that amazing food? I mean, you did say how much your man does love toeat.” She wiggles her eyebrows, and I am mentally cursing myself for sharing that tidbit about our sex life. She laughs along with me.
I love these moments where she gives me such clarity, but in such a gentle, compassionate way. She has been my sounding board, my mentor, and my friend. I’m gonna miss her something fierce, and I tell her so.
“I know, chica. Me too. I’m gonna miss having Aunt Viv for Raelynn too, but there’s always the telephone. You know how close Raelynn and my mom are, and she’s in Colorado. Distancedoesn’t have to change that, as long as we stay connected to one another.”
“I don’t know what I’d do without you in my life.”
“Well, just because you’re moving doesn’t mean you’re getting rid of me. I’ll always be here for you… even if you’re nothere, here.” She smiles a little sadly.
“What about The Pork Belly?” Funny how it brought us together, but now it’s the last thing on my mind. But it’s Claire’s baby, too.
“Well, ever since you told me about Michael’s ‘proposal’,” she air quotes and I smirk. Yeah, still waiting on that one. “I knew we’d be making changes. And I have a solution for the restaurant too, I think.” Her eyes drift toward the window, and her skin flushes a bit.
“What is it? Spill it already!” I can’t wait to hear what’s causing her to blush like that.
“I’m still considering it, but it would take care of both problems. And no,” she says as I shove her, “I’m not telling you. Not until I decide for sure, that is. Andnope!Nothing you can say will change my mind. I need to figure this one out for myself,” she tells me seriously. “What you need to focus on, chica, is this amazing man you’ve snagged for yourself. And packing!” She grabs me and pulls me in for a hug.
Michael
I open my carry-on bag to find my cologne and spray myself lightly before going into The Pork Belly. It has been three days since I’ve seen Vivian. I had planned on stopping at home to freshen up first, but my flight back from Miami got delayed, andI can’t go another minute without holding my love in my arms. She’d told me before that she loved my Eternity cologne, so hopefully it will offset the smells from sitting in airport lounges.
As I walk inside, my gaze is immediately drawn to my beautiful wife, standing behind the bar and laughing as she mixes something up. Claire and Derrick are laughing along with her, seated rather closely together on the bar stools, and I raise my eyebrows. Perhaps there’s been some sort of development there?
Claire’s body language is clearly relaxed, and she doesn’t seem to mind Derrick’s arm draped across her chair as he leans in close to tell her something. The glint in his eyes is triumphant as his gaze meets mine, and I can’t help but smile at the pair. Whatever he did, it must be going right. I’ll have to ask Vivan about that later. But right now, I can’t wait another second to kiss my woman as I walk swiftly behind the bar and scoop her into my arms.
“Hey, baby, you’re just in time—” Her greeting is cut off by my mouth devouring hers.Fuck, I’ve needed this.
Never again. I never want to be separated from her. Those few nights in Miami were spent tossing and turning, missing Vivian in my bed, unsure of what her decision would be. Having to put on my professional best during the day as I met with team leads and tried to focus on the details of this particular project all while having my heart in my throat had not been easy. I’m surprised I could string two words together in front of management. The only thing that helped was the all too brief phone calls to my love, hearing her voice while restraining myself from demanding a response from her. Giving her space until I returned.
Now, with her in my arms and her sweet taste on my lips, I don’t give a damn about what I have to do to be with her. I’ll go dig ditches if it means she’s in my bed every night. I can’t breathe without her.
“I missed you too.” Her eyes shine brightly after I release her mouth. Bruised slightly and gloss smudged, it’s never looked better. I swipe my thumb over her lower lip, caressing it one last time and wiping the last streak away before hugging her tighter and burying my face in her hair. Even over the barbeque from the kitchen, her jasmine scent comes through. That’s what home smells like to me now.
She’s my home.
“Good thing we’re just about to close,” Claire says with a wry grin as Derrick slow claps, bringing me back to the fact that we’re not alone. I glance at my woman, but she’s sporting a big grin, so I guess she didn’t mind my enthusiastic PDA. Or the fact that I’m in an employee-only area. My body’s still taut with nerves, knowing that decisions have to be made, and quickly, but now that I’m back in my wife’s presence, I can breathe freely.
“So what are you making?” I nod toward the silver shaker cup.
“It’s something new we decided to try out on the menu.” Vivian’s expression looks a little devious, as she winks at me and blocks my view of the ingredients.
“What are you up to, mi amor?” I drawl, pulling her close and nipping beneath her ear. She shivers, either from my kiss or my term of endearment, and I lick a line up her neck.
“Michael!” she admonishes, pushing me away. “We’re in public, you know,” she scolds, but the heated flush on her skin belies her reaction to my touch.
