Page 62 of What She Deserves

At almost ten o’clock, he reluctantly told his family they were going back to the hotel. He promised they’d be back tomorrow and wanted to take everyone to lunch, to which they readily agreed.

His grandmother had already gone to bed, so his sister and mother walked him and Layla to the door.

“We’ll see you tomorrow,” Ernestine said, voice quivering. He understood her emotional state and held onto her much longer than necessary before reluctantly pulling away.

As he and Layla walked down the driveway, he heard the door close behind them. He glanced down the street and up the street. The neighborhood was very quiet.

“Marcy does a lot of work,” he remarked. “I think I’m going to look into getting her some help, give her a break every now and again.”

“That would be nice,” Layla said. She took his hand. “I’m so happy for you, baby.”

“Couldn’t have done any of this without you.

“You would have gotten here eventually,” Layla said.

“Maybe, but way in the distant future. I would have lost more time. Now I get to spend that time with them. Thank you. Really, for everything. For still being here.”

“I love you, Rashad. I told you, I’m not going anywhere.”

“I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but I’m sure glad you’re here.”

He pulled her into his arms and kissed her forehead. “Let’s go. Get some rest, and tomorrow when we come back, I’m getting that lemon pound cake recipe.”

Layla laughed, tossing her head back. “I knew you were going to try to get that. It was so good. I’m sure you’ve already thought of a way to put your own twist on it.”

“You already know.”

They drove out of the neighborhood and toward the hotel. Tomorrow was a new day. The beginning of a new chapter in his life with the love of his life by his side.

Life was good.