Page 24 of Do You Right

I placed a kiss on her forehead. “I told you I’ve got your back.”

“I know you’ve said it, but this . . . I never expected to see my parents today. Thank you for doing this for me, Kaizi.”

I nodded because her emotions were rubbing off on me. I was not about to be in the middle of this park bawling with her, so I just nodded. “It’s your world, baby. If it’s within my means, then it’s yours. Go and spend time with your parents. I will be here. Always.”

I wiped away her tears, pecked her on the lips, then ushered her in their direction. They couldn’t keep their eyes off her, and I knew it was because they had a lot to discuss. I wanted that for them.

Someone clapping a hand on my back snapped me out of the trance I was in. I turned to find my family standing there. “Now, that’s the son I raised,” my father said proudly. “But why I feel like you trying to compete with me?”

I folded my arms over my chest and puffed it out. “Oh, you gotta know I’m trying to outdo you with everything I do. Better step your cookies up, old man, ’cause I’m pulling out every trick and grand gesture in the book.”

He turned to my mama with a frown. “You hear this?”

She nodded with a big smile. “I do, and like my son said, you better step your cookies up.”

“Tell ’em, Mama!”

She turned her attention to me and got serious. “And I’m telling you that you better treat my daughter-in-law right. Chai is a good woman, and I love her for you. Don’t be a dummy and jeopardize something real.”

I didn’t understand where her warning was coming from until I followed her line of sight to see there were a lot of women who looked like they desperately wanted to walk up to me. I waved my hand, not even sparing them a second glance.

“Message received, but don’t worry, Ma. I would give up my right arm before I give up my woman. I’m never coming up off that.” And I spoke with confidence because I knew what I shared with Chai was a miracle. Not everyone got to experience real, genuine love, and I wouldn’t be the fool to give it up for any flings. I only had eyes for Chai and a heart with her name tattooed on it.

Chai Rose Thomas

My heart had found a new home in the center of my throat. No matter how many times I tried to regulate my breathing, nothing made it go back where it was supposed to be in my body. I was beginning to think I would have to deal with the feeling all day, until the smell of sandalwood surrounded me.

My eyes fluttered open when I felt arms around my waist. A smile lifted the corners of my mouth without my instructions. I melted into Kaizi’s frame, encouraging him to tighten his grip. He snuggled his nose in my neck, and all the weight on my shoulders began to melt away.

“How are you feeling?” he asked after placing a fat kiss on my cheek.

“A little nervous,” I told him honestly.

He’d witnessed the hours I’d put into getting ready for tonight’s charity event. Kaizi went out of his way to get me this opportunity, and I knew it was because he was pushing me to step back into the limelight. I had been delaying it for months, using the excuse that I wasn’t ready yet, but he grew tired of hearing it, so when the Solaire Sonics stated they were looking for a musician for their annual charity event, he didn’t even tell me he’d suggested me until he’d already secured a yes.

“Nerves are okay. Just don’t let them stop you from going out there and doing what you love.” His deep voice made encouraging words sound like marriage vows. Even the thumping in my center agreed with me.

Spinning around in his arms, I palmed the side of his face. “You always know what to say. Let me find out you’re PR trained for our relationship.”

His laugh was warmth across my skin and a reason to smile. “I’m just doing what a husband should do,” he replied slyly.

I tilted my head to the side to study him. There was confidence and playfulness bursting from his brown orbs. “But you’re not a husband yet, Kaizi Carter.”

“I want to be though.” He pinned me in place with a look that liquefied my insides. He wanted me to know he was serious, but I learned a long time ago to never be completely moved by words.

“Well, prove it,” I countered with a grin.

Before he could respond, someone walked up to let me know I could head to the stage. I looked back at Kaizi, and his head nod was all the courage I needed to accept my violin case from him and walk away. I was allowed to choose the kind of music that I wanted to play for the night and had curated the most perfect list of songs. I had been going to the venue all week to practice, so not even my man knew what I had up my sleeve.

I got set up and sat down on my designated seat. The lights were low in the ballroom, but there were some strobe lights bouncing off the walls in slow waves. I took a deep breath and allowed my eyes to close. Lifting my violin into place, I began with Snoh Alegra’s “Do 4 Love.” When I opened my eyes, I could see all eyes were on me. Instead of choking up, I released a deep breath and allowed the music to speak for me.

My eyes found a smiling Kaizi standing near the back with a champagne glass. Tonight, he was dressed in a tailored black suit that made him look so scrumptious. His hair was freshly lined up, and he wore a creative set of cornrows. I always knew him in a tuxedo would be a sight to see. He was surrounded by his teammates, but he paid none of them any mind. All his attention was on me and since he knew I was looking at him, he winked, giving my stomach flurries.

With every song I played, his smile got wider, and the light in his eyes turned into a raging fire. By the time it was time for my break, he was standing right in front of the stage. Couples were behind him swaying to the music while he leveled a gaze on me that let me know exactly what he had in mind.

I set my violin inside my case then accepted his hand to walk down the steps. People were rushing toward me, desperate to sing my praises, but KC was on a mission and didn’t stop for any of them. Before I knew it, he was closing me inside a room and had already pushed me against the door.

“Kaizi.” I whined because the intensity in his eyes made me want to run and hide.