Page 21 of Objection

After ending the call, I sat with my feelings for a while before getting ready for my nail appointment. All I could do was pray Taylor went to school and got her degree and did whatever else she wanted to do. It upset me to hear that she hadn’t gone to college because she was worried about Daddy cutting her off like he’d done me. That made me want to call him and give him a piece of my mind but it wouldn't matter. He was stubborn as hell and wouldn’t change his mind until he was absolutely ready to.

Kaos

Ihadn’t been able to take my eyes off Serenity. She looked absolutely beautiful. I loved her in any color, but there was something about white and pink against her cocoa bean brown skin that always produced a hunger for her within me. Her hair was in an updo with spiral curls falling forward in her face and on her neck, and her makeup was flawless. She looked absolutely stunning, and I was proud to be the man asking her to commit tonight.

As she smelled the red roses that I’d given her when I picked her up, she smiled. “You make me feel cherished in the sweetest ways, Kaos. Today has been perfect.”

“I’m glad, but our time has just begun. I have so much more in store for you tonight.”

Serenity crossed her legs and wrapped her arm around mine. “Guess who I talked to today.”

“Who?”

“Taylor.”

“Your sister?”

“Yep.” She smiled. “I think we made progress today. She may even be coming to visit me soon.”

“That’s amazing, princess. I’m happy for you.”

“Thank you,” she cooed, snuggling closer to me. “My conversation with her made me even more grateful for what I have with you. We talked about my dad, and it made me realize my relationship with him influenced my romantic relationships more than I realized.”

“Is there anything I can say or do to help you work through that trauma? I have a very close bond with my mom and dad, and I can’t imagine how I’d feel if either one of them decided not to talk to me anymore because I moved away.”

Her eyes watered but she blinked rapidly until they dried. “Being with you has already helped a lot. You make me feel like I don’t have to earn something that should be freely given. It’s healing.”

“I take great pride in being able to do that for you, princess. You don’t have to earn anything from me. It’s an honor to even be in your life. I’m the one who has to earn you.” I took her hand into mine and kissed it. “You’re the prize. You’re my treasure. You’re my crown. You’re my rib.” Taking a deep breath, I confessed, “I wanted to do this over dinner, but now seems like a more fitting time. Serenity, we’ve been taking things slow, but I want us to make things official. Will you be mine?”

That time, my crybaby was unable to keep her tears from falling. She caught them quickly with a soft laugh.

“Yes, Kaos,” she whispered, pulling me close for a kiss. Moaning against my lips, she used her tongue to spread them.

“Aight na,” I warned, pulling away. “You keep kissing me like this and I’ma forget we aren’t alone in this car.”

She giggled, but I was dead serious. “We’re in a relationship?” she confirmed.

“We are. Finally.”

“Thank you for waiting on me.”

“You’re more than worth it, princess.”

Serenity gave me another quick kiss before returning to her side of the car. We allowed silence to settle between us before we arrived at the restaurant.Flavorwas an upscale steakhouse with burgundy seating, golden lighting, and a dark ambiance that provided a romantic vibe. It was perfect for the evening. We had a damn good steak dinner before leaving and going toDivine, which was a black owned art gallery that was having an artist showcase tonight.

Before the bidding started, we walked around and looked at the paintings and sculptures from Neko and Aspen. Tonight was special because it was the first time in years Karrington was making his paintings available for purchase. I didn’t think the world would ever be blessed with a Karrington Lowe original painting again, but after he got married and took over the Lowe Mafia for his father, something happened that encouraged him to pick up a paint brush again. That reflection caused me to ask Serenity, “I know you like puzzles and crocheting for your hobbies . . . but are you into any forms of art?”

“I actually do have an interest in paintings and sculptures, but being from a small town, we didn’t have museums and showcases like this to expand my palate and knowledge. Any time I’d go on a trip, I tried to find a museum to visit.” A quiet sniggle escaped her before she admitted, “I desire to be more cultured and knowledgeable about art, cinema, theater, and literature and music, but I don’t really take the time to dedicate to it like I should.”

“I feel you. I was the same way about learning the cultures of others. I wanted to travel and experience how other people live—and eat. All I used to eat was soul food.”

“You think you’re so fancy now because you eat Italian and Mexican,” she teased, and it was so unexpected I released a hearty laugh that had people looking in our direction.

She covered her mouth while I did the same with my fist as my laugh died down. As she sipped her champagne, I wiped the corners of my mouth.

“Aye, that’s progress. A lot of progress I’d say for two years.” Wrapping my arm around her waist, I added, “I guess I owe that to you huh?”

“I’d say so. If I didn’t make you try something different for lunch, you’d still be eating sandwiches, hot wings, and soul food every day for lunch.”

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