“I know tonight we’re celebrating black women in finance, but I wouldn’t be the woman I am today without my father. They say behind every strong black man there is a strong black woman behind him. I agree. As his namesake, I stand strongly behind him continuing his legacy but let's not forget the strong black woman standing in front of him as his wife. His head of reason. His beacon of light when those nights get dark. His prayer warrior.” Cheers erupted as the crowd stood.
“His integrity runs through my veins. His devotion to his family sketched out the blueprint for the man I’ll soon change my last name for. When I walk into a boardroom where people are expecting a man, I stand taller. Add an extra sway in my hips. Speak clearer. When I leave that room with their signature on the dotted line, my mahogany gold essence is left as residue that won't be wiped away. They’ll always remember our names. They’ll always remember our faces. Why? Because we are black women phenomenally. Thank you.”
Watching the entire amphitheater rise to their feet and clap for me, I released my stream of tears. Taking one last bow they escorted me backstage. My steps halted as a breeze of cedarwood and lemon brushed passed my face. Paxton. My eyes scanned only to land on the face of Senior.
Tonight wasn’t only a big night for me but for Paxton too. Early today the development project he’s been working on finally broke ground and the developers wanted to celebrate and honor him. It took a lot of persuasion to get him to go to his celebration than be here with me.
“Hey, daddy.” I ran into his outstretched arms.
“Baby girl.” His voice cracked. “I’m so proud of you.”
“Thank you. This is for you.” I placed the award in his hands.
Glossy eyes smiled at me. “I can’t take this.”
“You can and you will. Now come one. I will not miss Jazmine Sullivan's performance because we're having a moment.” Before we walked off, I took one last glance over my shoulders. No Paxton.
The rest of the show went by in a breeze. A couple of times I found myself searching for the cause of butterflies rumbling in my stomach. Daddy and I decided to grab some food from the restaurant at the hotel we were staying in. I wasn’t up for celebrating outside of what had already been done. I wanted to shower, get comfy, and talk to my Pi until I fell asleep.
Excusing myself to the bathroom, I came back to an empty table. Our waiter informed me that daddy paid the check and was waiting outside in our limo. As my left butt cheek landed on the cushioned seats, my senses set off going into a frenzy.
I tasted him.
Smelt him.
Heard him though no one said a word.
I felt him.
He was in the limo. The same limo that my daddy was supposed to be waiting in.
On the opposite end sat the man who discombobulated my world. Dressed in a black three-piece suit, legs gapped, and hand resting on the middle console holding a single rose. When his eyes started to drink me in starting with my heels to my curls, I stopped breathing. Goodness, he was fine and so intoxicating.
“Breathe, Jacolby.” He wanted me to breathe but I wanted to congratulate him for finessing me.
I exhaled and sat back. Neither of us speaking. Staring and silently greeting one another.
“I loved your speech.”
“You were there?” I knew I wasn’t feeling his presence for no reason. “Thought you weren’t going to be able to make it?”
He shook his head. “I wasn’t going to miss a moment celebrating you, Sassy Baby.” He winked.
“Noted.”
“When do you plan on taking my last name?”
I shrugged my shoulders like I wasn’t about to stroke out. “Take me to a chapel and find out.” He needed to stop playing with my emotions and trying to call my bluff. Vegas was only a five-hour flight. I’d marry him before the night was over.
He smirked. “Miss me?”
“When do I ever stop?” I admitted, growing tired of the space between us. Bunching up my dress I made myself comfortable on his lap, my fingers twirling his beard strands. “Thank you for coming tonight,” I whispered against his lips.
He didn’t have to kiss me…yet.
Right now all I needed was to feel him. To breathe him in. Sink myself so deep in his embrace that it would take all night to get me out.
“I wrote my own speech to celebrate you tonight. Wanna hear it?” His brown orbs of ravishing hunger hypnotized me.
“Yes,” I purred.
“Jacolby Jefferson Junior, I give you my heart. I give you my love. Have me, Jacolby. Have me as your man, your lover, your friend, your confidant. Your leader, protector, and father of our children. Have me, Jacolby. Love me. Accept all that I am. The good, the bad, the ugly, the annoying, and sometimes hard to love, and I promise to protect and to do the same.”
I felt liberated. Felt peace. Felt loved.
”Yes, Paxton. I’ll take all of you.”
“Good. I have a surprise for you.”