Page 32 of Surrender to Love

“Like the smile that’s been on your damn face since you walked in here.” She places her glass on the table then lights her cigar with a beautiful gold lighter.

My sis doesn’t play about her cigars.

“It’s Shiro, isn’t it?” Alex asks.

“Yes.” I don’t hesitate to reply because he is most definitely responsible for my smile.

My man loves me, all of me, even my broken parts. The other night, after our first date when he massaged my feet while I downloaded my shit about my mom, he didn’t run. He stayed and I knew without any doubt how he feels about me and how I absolutely love him.

“I swear you and Reya are going to have me stalking one of the other brothers,” Alex teases with a laugh. While all of the Bako brothers are handsome, Alex isn’t interested in either Tre or Deuce. These past two years, they have become family.

“Okay!” Giselle joins in. “My problem is the one I would even consider is married. Y’all know how I love a man with a little silver in his beard. Ace with those locs and that little patch of silver in his beard is too damn sexy, but that’s all Sade, and I don’t interfere with marriages.”

“You and those damn silver beards,” Alex comments.

“My weakness. Give me at least seven figures, a silver beard, and swag from a mile away and I might waive my fees,” Giselle jokes and we all laugh.

“Your crazy ass,” I say while shaking my head.

“Love and all that is all you, and I must admit, it looks good as hell on you, Kyrah. Hell, you deserve it. Every second, every minute, accept it all. That man loves you down,” Giselle says and her sincerity warms my insides.

This is real sisterhood.

My girls have been with me through my lowest and their love and support is genuine. I never have to question their loyalty and intentions. They have my back and I have theirs.

“And I love him too,” I boast.

“You do know you’re never living down calling him to my house after you got drunk as hell off those Slice H2O cans. You actually told him you didn’t know where your car was,” Giselle says with a grin.

“And it was parked in her driveway. Yeah, you are truly not living that down at all,” Alex cosigns and I smile, because hell, I still can’t believe I did that. “But he definitely earned bonus points for coming.”

“Bonus coochie too,” I mutter but they both hear me and smile.

“As he should have,” Giselle says before reaching for Alex’s lighter.

After lighting her cigar, she passes it to me. One puff in and this Conviction cigar shoots to the top of my list. It’s smooth as hell and the relaxing effect I typically get from a cigar creeps over me almost instantly.

“Now, this is my new favorite,” I admit.

“Do I ever steer you wrong?” Alex gushes.

“Never,” I reply before pulling on my cigar again. “When are you coming back again?”

“Next Thursday. I extended two days,” Alex says.

“Thursday? You never stay more than three or four days there. Why a week?”

“I’m celebrating too. You think I only invested your money in Tech Resolve?” Alex smirks. “Momma gotta get the bag too.”

“I know that’s right. I’m thinking of going next month for a few days,” Giselle admits. “I need to relax and research.”

“So you are finally going to open your own?” I question.

“Yes. I have the location and name; I just need to figure out the legalities and membership options.”

“Oh my God! Can I know the name?”

“Erogenous,” she gushes.