Rituals for Love (9781476761893) (32 page)

“Damn. So I guess he also saw the texts?”

“He saw everything.”

“I better be ready for a brawl the next time I see him.”

“That might be a good idea.” I laughed.

“I'm sorry, Jade.” His voice was full of regret.

“I am too, Omar. I'm especially sorry because I'm not going to be able to continue our friendship.”

“Really? That's it?”

I nodded. “Yes.”

“So your man is upset and we can't be friends?”

“No,
you're
the one that can't be friends. It was my decision.”

Omar got up from the bench and stared at me. “You're right.” He shook his head and turned his back to me, leaving the park and our friendship behind.

I
greeted Hal and the guys when I walked in. I hadn't been to Genesis in over a week and was amazed by what I saw before my eyes. The lobby was completed. One of the workers was applying the lettering to the wall that let you know you had arrived at GENESIS. The elevator was fully functioning and could carry guests from the lobby up to the spa. I asked Hal to give me a moment before we did our walkthrough. I went down the corridor to our temporary office. Hal's team was in the process of transforming it back into a supply closet. The desk I had been using was pushed back against the wall, the flowers from Omar still on top, wilted and dead. I grabbed a few files and left the room.

I headed back through the lobby to take a ride up on the elevator to my new office suite on the second floor. I shouted to Hal that I'd be upstairs. I was expecting representatives to come demo spa products. I asked him to send them up when they arrived.

The elevator doors opened up to the spa reception area. I slowly exited the elevator and was overwhelmed. The enormous U-shaped reception desk, inviting sofas and chairs in the fabrics I selected, accent tables, glistening floor tile, artwork, standing lighting fixtures, large pottery for fresh flowers, diffusers…my vision made manifest.

I meandered down the hallway to the office suite. Ebony wood walls and sconces laid the path. The door was open. My shoes
sank into the thick, dark carpeting when I entered the suite. The outer office was set up with a receptionist desk, a sofa, two club chairs and a coffee table. A flat-screen television was mounted on the wall. Two large offices were on either side of the outer office. I went into the one on the left and then the one on the right. They had identical setups. A stately mahogany desk, two club chairs flanking the coffee table, a flat-screen television, and decorative planters awaiting plants.

I sat behind the desk and leaned back in the chair.

“You look good behind that desk.”

I started and the back of the chair launched forward. Cain stood in the doorway, peering in.

“Hey,” I said.

“Riley resigned.”

“I told Omar we couldn't be friends.”

He looked surprised. “I thought you were going to just set some parameters.”

“I didn't think he could handle it. I thought you were going to suggest a liaison?”

“Apparently she decided she couldn't handle it.”

I got up and went around to the front of the desk. “I was just about to check the progress in the spa and restaurant.”

“I'll come with you. We can talk along the way.”

Cain stepped aside so I could exit the office. He placed his hand on the small of my back as I passed him. I looked at him and smiled. He was such a gentleman. We headed back down the hallway toward the reception area.

“We should start with the lounge and private group waiting area.”

We walked in the direction of the lounge. “You know we've made quite an investment here,” he said.

“Yes, we have.”

“It's ninety percent completed and so far it looks spectacular.”

Cain held the door open to the lounge. Fluffy chairs and ottomans were interspersed throughout the room. Ivory and tan notes complemented the pale golden tones of the room accents. “I love how everything has come together.” I marveled at how lush it looked.

“Did you feel a sense of excitement when you came through the doors this morning?”

“Each and every time.”

I roamed the room, taking in all the details and mentally noting what I wanted to add. Cain followed behind, close on my heels. I stopped to study a painting on the wall and thought he leaned in to smell my hair. I peeked over my shoulder and he was looking at the picture.

“It would be a shame if we didn't see this project through,” he ventured.

“It would.”

“Together.”

I turned to face him. “I agree.”

“So, here's what I think should happen.” He took my hands in his. “I'll stay on the project. You're still the boss. And if you have concerns we'll address them together, as
partners
. You'll come to me first, and I'll listen. Does that work for you?”

“Absolutely.”

We held hands as we continued the tour of our nearly completed establishment. The steam rooms had been redone with the new tiles. There were also heated stone benches and recliners, recessed lighting. It was all very inviting. The locker rooms were a veritable retreat in their own right. Comfortable oversized seating, spacious lockers, vessel sinks and luxurious showers.

Cain squeezed my hand. “They got it right.”

We checked out each treatment room, and as we walked in our senses were flooded. Warm colors, soft lighting, and the massage tables I had ordered were perfect. “Everything is just as I had envisioned.”

“You ready to see the restaurant?” He motioned to the door. “We both know that's the true test.”

I laughed as I exited the room. “I'm nervous.”

“Don't be. Hal
knows
he had to get the restaurant right.”

We entered the dining room side-by-side. It was bright, open, and gave me an immediate sense of vitality. “It's beautiful,” I whispered.

“The amber creates such a richness to the décor.”

The central lighting fixture had been replaced and was the primary focal point upon entering the dining room. We inspected the private dining room and then made our way to the kitchen.

I stepped inside first. I stood in one spot and let my eyes travel through the room, taking in every piece of equipment, the flooring, the lighting, workstation, racks and sinks. Slowly, I walked through every inch of the space. “This is the heart of Genesis.” I turned toward Cain and smiled. “Thank you.”

“You're the heart of Genesis.” He came over to where I was standing. “You're also my heart.”

“Thank you, baby.”

“We've been through some stuff lately.”

“Yes indeed.”

“Do you know what it made me realize?”

“What?”

“It made me realize that you are an essential part of my life. Not having you around or not speaking to you isn't an option for me.
My pop said something interesting to me the other day about creating rituals for love and living. I want to do that with you. I want to be able to look back one day and say that Jade and I knew how to love each other, talk to each other, and enjoy each other, because we started our own traditions together. There's one ritual that I can think of that we could share year after year together. We can celebrate our anniversary.” He went down on one knee. I stopped breathing. I stared at him silently, in the quiet of the kitchen, trying to comprehend what was occurring. He reached into his pocket and my breath caught. He opened a small, black box, revealing a glittering princess-cut diamond ring. “Here in the heart of Genesis, feeling refreshed, renewed, and ready to tackle anything, I'm asking you to be my wife. Will you marry me?”

“Yes,” I said, crying and laughing simultaneously. He slipped the ring on my finger and stood up, pulling me into an embrace. “I love you,” I cried.

“I love you.”

I gazed at the ring on my finger and shrieked. “We're engaged?”

“We're engaged.”

“I love you, baby.” I stroked his cheek. “You even remembered what I said about being refreshed and renewed.”

“I listen to what you say and I get it. This is our new beginning, our fresh start.”

Hal knocked on the door. “Excuse me, but there are a few people here to see you.”

“Thanks, Hal,” Cain replied. We kissed in the middle of the kitchen.

I reluctantly pulled away. “That's probably my appointment.”

Cain and I returned to the lobby. I greeted the product rep and her two colleagues and introduced Cain.

She pointed to her bag. “I have my products, robes, linens and my two masseurs. Show me to your treatment rooms and let's demo some products.”

•  •  •

C
AIN STUCK HIS HEAD IN
my treatment room as the product rep was leaving. I told her we'd be in touch. He closed and locked the door behind her, leaning against it in his white robe. “What did you think?” he asked.

“I think you give better massages than the professionals.”

“That's because I know that body.”

“This body?” I exposed one of my naked shoulders from beneath the robe.

“Mmm.” He came over to the table and kissed my shoulder. “Yup, that's my fiancée's body.”

I beamed at Cain calling me his fiancée. He leaned in and kissed me deeply. I pulled away and stared into my future husband's eyes. His hands started tugging at the sash on my robe. I smiled. “Here?”

He nodded. “Here.”

“Now?”

“Right now.”

If my man wanted to live a little in the here and now, how could I not oblige? I dropped my robe, lay back and enjoyed our new genesis.

Hey, reader! Here we are once again. Thank you for coming along as I spied on Jade and Cain. When I finished writing my first novel,
Recipe for Love
, I was already curious about what was in store for the couple and their romance. As we all know, life happens and I wanted to explore what was occurring in their lives. I hope you enjoyed the check-in!

Zane—author, publisher and producer extraordinaire—you are a wonder and a blessing! Charmaine, it's so good to know you understand the journey. Thank you for helping me along the pathway. Yona Deshommes, your radiance is infectious and I appreciate you. Shine on, sis!

Thanks to the Strebor family, an amazing collective of talent. Michelle Janine Robinson, the “art of literature” is enriched by your contributions. Allison Hobbs and Suzetta Perkins, I'm motivated by your bodies of work. I'm at number four and counting!

M.A. Bailey, thanks for all of the encouragement. You're one of my favorite accountability partners. I just scratched an item off my to-do list! Johnathan, I appreciate your Books, Beauty and Stuff! You entertain, support and provide beauty tips. I don't think it gets any better than that.

Kelli Burgos, Linda Trice and Kelly Starling Lyons, thanking you for sharing your creativity and inspiring me to draw from the creative well.

Sara Camilli, I'm still writing one word at a time. Thank you!

To everyone that picked up a copy of
Rituals for Love
, thank you. I'm grateful for your support. Until we meet again, let's keep in touch on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Keep it spicy and stay tuned…

www.ShamaraRay.com

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@ShamaraRay