Page 75 of Honey's Special Roux

“Stop running,” I called out with amusement.

“Help me,” Honey screamed at the top of her lungs.

I cracked up laughing as I jogged to catch up to her. I grabbed the goose by his neck and slung him away from Honey. “Look, lil nigga. Leave my lady alone before you find yourself fried and served with some hot sauce.”

As if the goose understood what I was saying, he squawked and waddled away with an attitude. Honey fanned herself as she glared at me.

“You paid that bitch ass bird to chase me?”

“What?”

“You heard me. When did you become brother nature? How come that stupid ass bird ain’t attack you?”

“I ain’t try to pet the mothafucka like you. I looked at it and let it rock out. You are the one trying to be mother nature. The lil nigga was probably offended you thought he was a bitch…orhe was trying to mate with you.”

We both paused and started laughing together. She used me for support as she doubled over with her unique laugh. I held her firmly in my arms. When our eyes met, the surrounding air shifted. This was where we both belonged. This was where I wanted to stay forever.

“Marquise…”

“Yes, my love?”

She shook her head. “Don’t call me that.”

“That’s what you are. You are the love of my life. That will never change.”

“Please…” She bit down on her bottom lip. I lifted my thumb to pull her lip from between her teeth. I caressed the plump lip.

“Can I?”

She didn’t reply. Her eyes gazed into mine before they darted down to my lips. If she thought too long, she’d change her mind.

Do I go for it?

Fuck it.

In one smooth motion, I dipped my head down to kiss her lips. Home. Honey’s lips tasted like home. I cupped her face in my hands and deepened the lip lock. She melted in my arms. At the moment, we connected with no other care in the world.

When she pulled away, I expected her to cause a scene, but she smiled softly.

“I need to get back to my parents’ house.”

I nodded. “Come on.”

I would slowly tear down the chains of her heart to make her mine again.

A monthlater

“Is this the last of my things?” I asked my mother as I placed the final box near the front door.

She nodded. “Yup, that’s it. I can’t believe you’re moving out for a third time.”

I recalled the times she referred to. When I went to live with Marquise after high school, and when I migrated from Texas to California. This would be the third time I moved out. It was a comfort to know their home was always open for me.

I giggled. “At least I’m only twenty minutes up the road instead of in a different time zone.”

“Praise God.” Daddy walked around the corner from the kitchen to join the conversation. “I’m glad you came home for good.”

“Yeah, it didn’t take much convincing, seeing how happy Quis has been with y’all. I don’t want to keep him away from his family. He deserves to make as many memories with y’all as possible.”

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