“Azmiiiiiiiir,” she groans sheepishly, burrowing her face into my arm.
“Rayna, if you want to smash again tonight, I’m gonna have to start charging you for my stamina.” We both laugh at that. I love teasing her about sex. She still seems to be shy about discussing it for some strange reason. She’s an easy target for embarrassment. Once we’re able to slow our laughter, I continue, “About the wedding, little girl.”
“Oh, yeah,” she rebounds, bringing her head from my side, exposing her heavily blushed face. “About that…I’ve met with the wedding planner that you passed to me a few weeks ago.” I make a quick reference of who she’s referring to before recalling. I don’t want to mention this planner is someone Dawn threw to me in passing and I’d, on a half a mind, tossed to Rayna, figuring she’d appreciate a reference. “Just like the two before him, I became overwhelmed with all the options and trying to figure out my “wedding personality” as Geraldo phrased it.”
She exhales. “I don’t think I have a wedding personality. I sure as heck don’t have enough people to invite that will fill a church. I’m not even sure I’m a wedding in a chapel type of girl.” Rayna waves her hand in gesture. “I don’t know how or where I want to express my nuptials or take my vows.” Her eyes slowly dance up to me. And just when I thought she’s going to deliver a hard blow she mutters, “I only know who I want to take those vows with.”
My heart races in my chest and I hope like fuck she can’t sense it. I quietly expel the air holding in my lungs. This conversation could have gone either way with her. I’m still building my faith in Rayna wanting this forever thing with me.
Rayna sighs as she takes to her pillow. “I just don’t know, you know? And I don’t have girlfriends to help decide.” With her eyes adrift, she murmurs, “I mean, it can just be you, me, and the officiate out it the middle of the Pacific for all I care. We can exchange our vows, let him or her off, and sail to the middle of nowhere—alone.” After a beat, her eyes make their way up to me. “You know?”
Slowly nodding my head as the visual builds in my mind, I mutter, “Indeed.” Whatever Rayna wants for the day she becomes mine will be exactly what I’ll push for, because joining lives with her, for me, is the ultimate goal. “Now put your plate away so that we can go to bed...unless you’re calling out in the morning,” I speak tentatively.
Rayna shakes her head. “No. I’ll be in the office for my regular hours.”
“Good and so will I, if you don’t force me to smash you once again”
The heartiest laughter belts from Rayna’s vocal chords. “Azmir, shut up!” she shouts in between her giggles. “My god! You miss your insanely sexy fiancé throughout your busy day, express it when he comes home, and you’re accused of being a nymphomaniac!”
“Well…” I say, pleased with her mirth as she’s still laughing.
“Well, let’s see what your complaint is when I stop expressing.” Rayna shuffles underneath the blanket.
“I wouldn’t go that far. We saw how well that went over when you attempted that shit in Tahiti.”
As Rayna finds her comfort in the bed, she sucks her teeth, “All right, Mr. Jacobs. Whatever!” and then issues me a warning glare.
~~~~~~~~~~
The following morning, I’m in a meeting with a long-term friend of mine who, today, is serving in the capacity of a business associate. We’re going over the fine print of the Mauve contract, the company that I’ve agreed to partner with on their brandy line. Although the signing party is being planned, there’s an amendment that Steve has suggested that I include in the final contract. I’ll have my attorney, Chesney, go over the changes that Steve and I have agreed on today. Bacote & Taylor’s Planning and Public Relations Corp. worked their asses off, packaging the deal and seeing it to fruition however, Steve is the mastermind behind the arrangement. He’s the person responsible for bringing our names together in concept only, then proposing the idea to me and the Moreau Brothers, separately.
“You’re a genius at this, you know that, Stoute,” I say as I proffer my hand, preparing to see him out.
“Nah, man. You know I’d do anything for you, Divine,” Steve returns the love. “Few know you were the one who got me from Sony to Interscope. I’ll never forget that, man.”
“Yeah, but your ingenuity is what got you to your mogul status. Proud of you, duke.”
“Same here, man. You’re making big moves, D. I don’t know why you didn’t just come over to us for PR services period.” With his smile in place, I see as his brows narrow.
“Double S, you know me. I march by the beat of my own drum. I wanted to try this firm out, seeing they were fresh and innovative, but…” I find myself scratching my chin.