“I can’t and won’t get enough of you, baby. You’re the missing puzzle piece. Please consider giving us another try. This time, we’ll do shit right. We’ll talk to each other. Whenever you’re in your head, I want to be that first line of defense. Let me love you the right way.”
I didn’t need to contemplate. I came here for Jabari, and the plan was to leave with Jabari. I moved closer to him and wrapped my arm around his neck.
“Yes, love me the right way.”
A big smile spread across his face. “See? I told you, you had a spell on me.”
“Stop! You make it seem all creepy and stuff.”
“It’s the truth. I’m hooked, baby.”
“Call it something else, please. Spell is kind of scary,” I said.
He stared at me for a second before he kissed my lips. “What about embrace?”
“Huh?”
“It’s something about a Cancer’s embrace... instead of a spell. It has a nice ring to it, right?”
I smiled. “I like it.”
“Good.” He winked.
Jabari kissed my lips again, but this time he poured more passion into it. I felt myself floating from how sensual the kiss was. Once he pulled away, he reached for my hand.
“Walk in here on my arm. Let the world know you’re mine and I’m yours.”
“I can do that.”
“Let’s go.”
Jabari led the way as we walked through the remaining crowd into the restaurant. My heart was full, and I was excited for the next season of life. I had my man, gained more familymembers, and was walking into a new career path. For the first time in a while, I felt the stars had aligned just right for me.
A Year Later...
I drove down the street, blasting the latest K-pop for JaBria. I had just picked her up from school and was headed home. This wasn’t the first time I’d picked JaBria up from school. The restaurant kept Jabari busy, but not to the point where he missed out on family things. However, due to JaBria getting out of school early during peak hours, he couldn’t make it in time to pick her up.
JaBria and I had gotten close over the past year. She was still in an arrangement to visit her mother, Kya, every other week. Thankfully, Kya and Jabari’s relationship had gotten better over the past few months. Sometimes, the two of them would bump heads, and I would have to act as the mediator, but it wasnever anything serious. It was to the point where Kya was now reaching out to me if she couldn’t get in touch with Jabari. We had a mutual respect for each other and remained in that space.
We were five minutes from the house when JaBria leaned forward and turned the music down.
“Miss Amina, can we call my grandma and see if it’s still okay for me to stay with her this weekend?”
“Yeah, baby, just touch on the screen and dial her number.”
JaBria did just that. We waited until Gloria answered the phone. Her voice was warm and welcoming.
“Hi, Amina.” She spoke into the phone.
“Hi, Gloria. I have JaBria here with me. She wanted to call and ask you a question.”
“Hey, my grandbaby, what’s up?”
“Can I still come hang out with you and Mr. Johnny this weekend?”
“Of course, baby. I’ve already talked to your daddy and mama, and they are okay with that.”
JaBria danced in her seat, and I giggled at her excitement for being able to hang out with the older crowd. I understood because Gloria spoiled JaBria. Then with her new man, Mr. Johnny, he kept Gloria in the malls, which meant JaBria was in the malls, getting anything and everything she wanted. Mr. Johnny was a great man for Gloria. His wife had died ten years ago, and he had been looking for companionship. He and Gloria had first started as church friends, and then their relationship had grown over time. Mr. Johnny was a retired military officer, but due to his investment properties and boats, he was sitting on a substantial amount of money.
