Page 120 of Smoke

She ran around one side of the couch as I ran around the other to block her mother in. Korri slammed into her legs, wrapping her arms tightly around Romi.

“Get her, Mr. Devin!”

I playfully took her down to the couch in a bear hug. Korri didn’t need any instruction as she dove on with tickles, causing Romi to laugh obnoxiously loud. I didn’t even know she was this damn ticklish.

“Stop! I’m gonna pee on myself!” she pleaded through her giggles.

Korri scrunched up her face. “Ew! That’s nasty!”

“Alright, alright, let her up, KoKo,” I said as I released Romi.

She playfully smacked my arm before settling at my side. Korri climbed onto her lap and made herself comfortable. I smiled to myself as I relaxed with both my girls.

I liked this shit… Yeah, I liked it a lot.

A Few Weeks Later

I smiledas I walked into Pure Glow Beauty Bar.

Since I was cleared to come back to work, I decided to come back on a part-time basis. I had Danielle open my books for no more than four appointments for three days out the week. I was getting tired of sitting in my house. Even though I went to visit Juri every day, there were still many hours in between leaving her and Korri coming home. I needed something to fill my time.

“Good morning, boss lady!” Danielle exclaimed, coming down the hall with open arms.

I willingly went into them for a hug.

“It’s so good to have you back!”

“It’s good to be back. I’ve really missed you all.”

“We’ve missed you too. It’s not the same without you around here.”

“I’m glad to see the place is still standing.”

“Um, did you forget your man promised us that bonus? We weren’t going to let anything happen if we could help it.”

I laughed. “I appreciate it.”

“How are the babies?”

“Both of them are doing well. Korri is still Korri. Juri should be able to come home soon. She’s no longer on the feeding tube, and she can breathe on her own. They want her to gain a little more weight before they release her, though.”

“That’s so good to hear. We’ve all been praying for her and you. Literally every morning for weeks, we gathered and said a prayer before the doors opened for the day. We’re a family here, and we’ve got your back.” She pulled me in for another hug, squeezing me tightly. “Now, come with me! I have something to show you.”

She grabbed my hand and pulled me down the hall to my office. When the door opened, she gently pushed me inside.

“Surprise!”

I jumped as I was met with confetti cannons, whistles, and balloons, along with the smiling faces of my employees. There was a small spread of breakfast items in the corner, along with drinks and a few wrapped gifts.

“You guys!” I whined. “You didn’t have to do this.”

I made my rounds, hugging them all. Everyone wanted to see pictures of Juri. Then they all had questions about Devin and I. After learning his reputation, I guess I could see why everyone was so curious as to how I managed to pull him. I hadn’t done anything special. In fact, I was absolutely pathetic when I met that man. If I were him, I would have run far away from me.

But he stayed.

He stayed, and he pursued me despite everything I had going on. He made my burdens his burdens, and he carried them for me. That alone was love.

We were in the middle of having a light breakfast when there was a knock on my office door. I must have talked him up because I looked up to see Devin standing in the doorway with flowers and a small bag in his hand. I hadn’t physically seen him in three days because he had something to do with the family, so I was happy to see him.

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