Page 40 of Sparks Will Fly

“I believe everything that comes out of your mouth.”

I released a genuine smile for the first time in days. Kissing on her bare skin, I enjoyed the saltiness from her sweat. This was exactly what I needed. The tremors still flowing through our bodies was proof.

I don’t know how much time passed before I peeled myself away from her. She damn near slid to the floor. I chuckled as I caught her and sat her on the bar stool. She wrapped her arms around my waist and rested her chin on my stomach.

“I love you so much.”

I brushed some of her hair back so I could see her whole face. Bending down, I placed a kiss on her lips.

“I love you more. This shit for life.”

“For life,” she agreed.

I smiled. “Bet. Now, I’m ready to see what this cake is talking about. I have the perfect place for some of the icing to go.”

Lovie blushed, hiding her face.

“That’s right. Daddy’s not done with you quite yet. It’s going to be a long night. I hope you’re ready.”

After adjusting my tie,I began tapping my fingers on top of the conference table I sat at with Shelia. She was reviewing paperwork because the day had finally come. The sale of the community center was today. I’d been keeping a huge secret from Lovie. She knew the sale was happening but not that I’d already secured the building. I couldn’t wait to see the look on her face when she saw what I had up my sleeve.

“You can barely sit still because you’re so excited,” Shelia teased.

I glanced up to find her eyes on me. She set down her pen. Tucking her hands under her chin she offered me a friendly smile.

“I’ve never seen you so at ease.”

I shrugged.

“I guess love really can change an aura.” I sat up closer to the conference table and folded my arms on top. “I’m just looking forward to the good that can be done and the look on my baby’s face when I relieve her of her greatest worry. She’s going to do amazing things for her community.”

Shelia nodded. “You know I remember feeling electricity in the air the first day y’all met. The sparks were flying everywhere. I thought she was going to take your head off.”

I chuckled remembering the day pretty vividly myself. Lovie was rushing me with her big, wild, fiery hair. Mouthing off about how she knew people like me and didn’t know a damn thing. That day I knew there was something about the woman I wouldn’t be able to shake. I thought she was a thorn in my side, but she was awakening the parts of my heart I’d put on ice. I’d found the other half of my soul and wanted nothing more than to see her smile every day for the rest of my life.

“If she could’ve, she would’ve done exactly that. I don’t know if it’s something wrong with me or her, but that’s the shit that drew me to her. Lovie might come off aggressive, but she’s really a sweetheart though.”

The door to the conference room opened as the lawyer and realtor for the state entered the room. Shelia sat up straightaway, ready to get down to business.

Leaning toward me, she whispered, “I just know I have to be there when you tell her.”

They sat down, we exchanged pleasantries, and then it was time to get down to business. Nothing brought me more joy than to sign my name on the dotted line. I felt so blessed to be able to make a change. It was no surprise God brought me a woman who stood on business the way I did about our people. If I knew nothing else, I knew we were going to make history in Rosewind.

* * *

Shelia rode over to the community center with me. I’d already called Damon to let him know I was on the way. He confirmed that Lovie was there. That was all I needed to know. I had Austin stop at Target on the way over to secure a bouquet of roses, a card, and some Ferrero Rocher chocolates.

For some reason, the closer we got to the community center the more anxiety started to nibble on the edges of my brain. This was no small gesture. Lovie had no clue what was coming, but in my heart, I knew it was the right thing to do. My goal was to show Lovie I believed in her in a tangible way. She wasn’t the problem she was the solution to them.

I exhaled deeply, preparing myself when we finally arrived. Shelia bopped beside me just as excited. She’d nearly shed a tear when I stopped for the additional gifts. If I had any doubt, she eased it with her positive affirmations. She had nothing but good things to say, and I really needed that. I was so out of my comfort zone I could never go back to that place. This was the way I wanted to show up for the people I loved, even after they may have caused me some pain. No scars healed the same, and my willingness to forgive Lovie told some deep part of my mind that maybe one day in the distant future I could even forgive my mother.

I held the door to the center open to allow Shelia to enter first. Damon was coming out of the office eating a doughnut without a care in the world. He had powdered sugar all over his lips. I wanted to speak on it, but that was a grown ass man. He could do whatever he wanted.

“She’s in there,” he told me with a point to the gymnasium.

I nodded and headed in that direction without pause. When I walked in the gym, it was so supercharged with energy the only way I could describe it was that it was alive. There were teenage boys playing basketball. Some other ones were on the bleachers with some girls I guessed were their age. On the other side of the room, I saw Lovie helping another girl turn rope for double dutch with a group of girls. They had some music playing from a speaker nearby and were getting down. I hadn’t seen girls jump rope like that in such a long time it brought true satisfaction to my veins.

Unable to keep this to myself a minute longer, I stalked across the room. Some of the girls noticed me, but I held up a finger telling them to keep quiet. I snuck up behind Lovie and put my hands over her eyes.

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