Page 92 of Dare You to See Me

I take the bag from Soleil’s shoulder and tug her to me. My lips find hers like they’re attracted by magnets, and she circles her arms around my neck.

“Hi,” she purrs when we separate.

“Hi, doll face.” I take her hand and guide her to the kitchen where I have a glass of wine waiting.

“How did you know I needed this?” She grabs the stem and takes a quick sip.

“Because I was also at the party and my nerves are barely hanging on. You’re a rookie. I’m sure yours are frayed and short circuiting.” She nods and takes one more swig.

“What’s that?” Dahlia asks, pointing to a foil covered dish that sits on the back counter.

I wink and reach for it. Pulling back the foil, steam billows out.

“Brownies. I memorized mom’s recipe and decided to surprise you with my superior cooking skills.” They both give me a skeptical look, knowing my cooking talents are abysmal, at best. “Just try them.”

I use a small spatula to cut two away from the rest, and place them both on a plate. They each take one, blowing on the warm and gooey chocolate squares, and give each other a look.

“Nice knowing you, sister,” Soleil tells Dahlia, and they tap the brownies together before taking a cautious bite.

They chew once, twice, and the third one, they smile. “See. Not horrible and you’re still alive.”

“They’re pretty good, Malik.Almostas good as Mommy’s,” Dahlia tells me.

“Sweetheart,” I look at Dahlia but pull Soleil into my arms, resting my head on her shoulder as she chews. “Nothing and no one is as good as your mommy.”

I lay a big sloppy kiss on her cheek, making Dahlia laugh along with a few spittles of brownie.

“So I know Christmas is still five days away but I was hoping I could give Dahlia her gift now.” Soleil pops the last bite into her mouth and eyes me while Dahlia bounces on her toes nodding emphatically.

“I think she can wait a few more days, Malik.”

“But Mommy, I can’t. Pleeease?” Dahlia begs, her hands pressed together and chocolate smeared on the corners of her mouth.

“Yeah, please Mommy?” I kneel right next to Dahlia, and give Soleil the same look.

If it’s a joint attack she won’t be able to say no. From the sigh that leaves her mouth and the slightly unamused look, I’d say we got her.

“Fine. Just remember that you won’t have anything to open on Christmas, now.”

“Oh, she’ll have tons to open on Christmas.” I wink and take both of them by the hand.

“What? Malik. One gift. You agreed,” she tries to explain.

“I agreed to no such thing. C’mon. I can’t wait for you both to see this.”

I pull them up the stairs, practically dragging them from my excitement. We walk down the hall to the bedroom Dahlia usually sleeps in when they stay over. The door is closed and a big red bow sits on it. With my back to the door and the knob gripped tightly in my hand, I smile and face the girls.

“Ready?” Dahlia’s teeth chatter, she’s so excited, but Soleil looks suspicious. “One…two…three!”

I throw open the door and step aside. A loud gasp followed by “wow” and a squeal is all that can be heard.

Dahlia flies past me and screeches, bouncing from one thing to the next.

“Malik. You–” I kiss Soleil, silencing what I know is a protest.

“I already know what you’re going to say and it will fall on moot ears. You two are here so often and I want Dahlia to have a space that she can call her own.”

Soleil’s eyes wander from corner to corner, taking in all of the details.