Page 25

Three Months Later…

I couldn’t stop smiling while getting ready.

Vari laid across my bed playing with Keanu.

His little giggles filled me with joy. I kept stealing glances of him over my shoulder.

He was growing so fast I felt like he was a new size every time I blinked.

Even though I would love to be with him, tonight was about his father and me.

We were going to have some much needed quality time together.

“You sure you’re okay with babysitting?” I asked Vari for the hundredth time.

He rolled his eyes. “Girl, why do you keep asking me that?”

I sighed. “I just don’t want you to feel like I’m trying to push my baby off on you to go spend time with my man.”

I frowned when he started laughing. He left KK on the bed and walked over to where I stood in front of my full-length mirror. He took the necklace I was struggling to latch from my hands to stand behind me.

“No one thinks that. All parents deserve breaks, Charm. Parenting is physical, emotional, and mental work. I am happy to do this for you, so relax and get ready to enjoy the alone time with your man.”

He did a little shimmy then laid the dainty jewelry across my neck. He latched the ends together quickly.

“Do you know where y’all are going?”

I shook my head. “No. It’s a surprise.”

He clapped his hands together. “Kinga loves him a good surprise.”

I giggled because he really did. “He’s turned me into a believer. I’m excited.”

“I know it got a little rocky for a minute there, but I love y’all together.” He looked me up and down with his arms folded over his chest. “Please don’t make another baby tonight wearing that little dress.”

I was wearing a red satin dress that was ruffled around the waist and had a sexy slit exposing my well-moisturized thigh.

There was a cutout in the center that had my ample breasts on display.

I gave him a smirk because I had every intention of making sure Kinga couldn’t stop looking at me while we were on our date.

Not that he ever denied me his attention, but tonight, I was feeling a little greedier knowing we were going to be alone.

I tried to prepare myself for how fine he was about to look but knew it wouldn’t do him justice.

“I’ve been meaning to ask. How’s Kinga been doing with the suspension thing?”

I sighed and moved to the dresser to grab my perfume of the night. “Better than I expected him to. He seems content being here with me and KK. I love it so much that I’m going to hate losing so much of his time when he goes back to the league.”

Kianis was still religious with his workouts and diet.

I think we all expected him to fall apart, but for some reason, this break was giving him time to build himself back up.

I was thoroughly enjoying every step of the process.

I prayed for him constantly, whether in private or while we held hands.

If I didn’t already love the man with every fiber of my being, I would after watching his transformation into his most authentic self.

Even the way he walked was different. He was a cocky man before, but now he oozed unshakable confidence in who he was outside of basketball.

He wasn’t trying to control the future or rush it either.

He savored every day with us by making sure we had smiles on our faces.

He even loved to be featured in my vlogs now.

We were good. We were better than good. We were blessed.

“Well, that’s good. Fuck the world and their warped opinions anyway.”

“Damn, you look good enough to eat,” Kianis said as he leaned in the doorway.

Me and Vari both nearly jumped out of our skin. I smiled shyly before crossing the room to go to him. He opened his arms for a hug, and I stepped right into them because that was my home. He sighed contently then placed a kiss on my forehead that melted me.

“You’re looking pretty good yourself,” I complimented him as I took a step back to admire his outfit of the night.

He was wearing black distressed jeans, a red, white, and black printed button up, and white block walkers. I literally wanted to eat him up, especially once I peeped he had in his grills tonight.

I took a step back as he crossed the room to kiss KK on the cheek. “You better take good care of my son, Vari. That’s all I know.”

Vari waved him off without lifting his eyes from his phone. “All I know is you better show my best friend a good time tonight.”

Kinga smirked then looked at me over his shoulder. “You can bet I’m going to make sure she has the time of her life.”

Vari gagged. “Ew, y’all nasty as hell. Get out, please.”

Kianis laughed at the same time as I did. He closed the distance between us and tossed his arm over my shoulder.

“Let’s go, baby, before this nigga’s hater residue rubs off on us.”

I sat in the backseat of the Eskimo truck he’d rented for the night.

I waited patiently for Kianis to walk around and open my door.

Of course, he had flowers waiting for me on the seat.

He bought sunflowers this time, and they were in perfect condition.

I couldn’t wait to get home to put them in a vase.

My insides turned into mush when the door came open, and my handsome lover stood there waiting for me. I took his hand and allowed him to help me out. We were at a beautiful vineyard in the country. Rows of grapes stretched for miles and miles as far as the eye could see.

We walked a short distance to the entrance. A hostess approached the second we walked inside. “Hello, and welcome to Café Soléa. Can I help you with anything?”

“Yes, I have a reservation for Kianis Kinga.”

The hostess nodded excitedly. “Oh yes, Mr. Kinga. We have been awaiting your arrival. I’m Agatha, your hostess for the evening.”

Her eyes fluttered to me. I could tell she wanted to say more, and seconds later, she found the courage to do so.

“Um… This is so unprofessional, but I love you. You’re even prettier in real life.”

I genuinely smiled, feeling shy suddenly. “Aww, you’re so sweet. Thank you. I love you, too.”

Her cheeks flushed a rosy color. “If it’s not too much to ask, can I record a quick video for my vlog?”

I looked up at Kianis who shrugged. “I don’t mind. Do your thing, baby.”

Turning to Agatha, I nodded with a smile. “Okay. Let’s do it.”

She squealed excitedly then pulled out her phone. I waited while she pulled up the camera and switched it to video.

“Y’all are not going to believe who I ran into while she’s out on a date with her man…” She did a quick intro then panned the camera to me. Kianis stood slightly behind me, looking like my personal bodyguard.

I waved, walking closer. She told them how pretty I was in person and that I smelled good before turning the floor to me. After thanking her, I told her vlog that she was lovely, and they should check out the vineyard we were at. She quickly wrapped it up then tucked her phone away.

“Girl, that just made my day. Thank you so much. I don’t care what they say about you. I know you’re a good person.”

“I appreciate that.”

She straightened her posture, going back into professional mode then said, “Please follow me.”

Kianis closed the distance between us, grabbed my hand, and took the lead after her.

I was excited to see what he was up to. Thankfully, I didn’t have to wait for long.

The hostess directed us to an elevator that took us upstairs.

We were led out to a romantic picnic set up on a terrace overlooking the vineyard.

Since the sun was beginning to set, it painted the sky in a breathtaking collage of pinks, purples, and oranges. Kianis slipped his arms around my waist before he tucked himself closer to my body. He kissed the side of my neck, turning an already memorable moment into something heavenly.

I’d forgotten about the hostess until she said, “Aww, y’all are too cute. Enjoy yourselves.”

As soon as she was gone, I instantly turned to Kianis. “This is so nice, babe.”

He smiled down at me, stealing my breath away. If I could stay in this moment forever, I would.

“Come on. Let me show you what we’re doing.” He led me closer to the table decorated with candles, paint brushes, paint, and two canvases. There was also a charcuterie board of fruits, meats, cheeses, and nuts. When I saw the bottle of champagne, I sighed in relief.

“There’s alcohol,” I noted excitedly.

Kianis chuckled. “Yeah, I figured mama could use a break tonight.”

I couldn’t wait to pump and dump. I fucking needed this. Kianis helped me onto the cot. I happily plopped down on my cushion. He sat beside me, and we began to unpack the paint and sip sets he’d bought.

I smiled down at the image of a sunset on a beach that we were going to be painting and got excited.

“I would’ve taken you somewhere out the country if I felt like you could go a few days without KK.”

I set my canvas on the easel and nodded. “Yeah, I’m not ready for that yet, but this is just as perfect, baby. Matter fact, could you please pour me some champagne.”

He grinned before doing as I requested. I moaned after my first sip.

“Perfect,” I whispered.

We settled into a blissful silence, enjoying the sounds of nature as we began painting. After a few strokes, I reached for a little plate to pile on some grapes and pepperoni.

“What? No camera tonight?” Kianis teased after a while.

I shook my head. “No… just me and you. I think I might be over that era in my life.”

I could feel his eyes on me, but I didn’t turn to look at him.

“What? Why?”

“I was doing it as a way to grow my platform, but I don’t feel the same anymore. I am done pretending to be someone I’m not, and I don’t know if she will be well received,” I admitted softly. I didn’t intend to get emotional yet tears still welled in my eyes.

Kianis placed his paintbrush down and turned to face me. I sighed when the rough surface of his thumb swiped across my cheek. A soft kiss was placed on my lips that calmed the storm brewing in my mind.