For the past week, I’d forbidden Skye from entering or even looking at her backyard. Based on her surprise, it seemed she’d actually listened.
“I finished my work on Thursday and had a few people there yesterday and today, adding the finishing touches.”
“Are you serious?”
“I’m very serious. They should be just about done, and we can head over when we finish breakfast.”
“I’m too anxious to see it to eat now. Let’s go.”
I’d intentionally ordered a very light breakfast of avocado toast with cherry tomatoes on top, scrambled egg whites, and orange juice. Skye didn’t like to eat heavy after a workout. Plus, a part of my surprise included a generous amount of food, so I didn’t want either of us to eat too much.
“Okay.”
We cleaned up after our meal, and minutes later, we were in the elevator. On the entire ride to her house, she asked questions about the patio, and I didn’t give her any specific details.
Her excitement was cute, and she was bursting at the seams by the time I turned into her driveway. I was sure she’d notice all the cars parked along the street, but if she did, she didn’t say anything.
She hopped out of my car before I put it in park and went straight to the backyard. I rushed to catch up with her so I could see her reaction.
“Happy birthday!” everyone shouted.
I caught up with her just in time to see her pause in confusion.
“Birthday? What’s going on?” she questioned.
I stepped behind her, wrapping my arms around her waist.
“Your birthday is next week, so I thought the patio reveal and a birthday celebration would be a great surprise,” I told her.
She turned to face me, placing her hands on my chest. “Knox, you did all this for me?” she asked.
“I had some help from your parents, Nyomi, and of course, Stokely.”
“This is the best surprise ever. Thank you.”
“Anything for the woman I love. Happy early birthday.”
“The woman you . . . love?”
“The woman I love.” I kissed her forehead. “Let me show you everything I did and let you greet everyone.”
We shared a quick kiss before she returned her attention to her guests. I didn’t plan to profess my love to Skye today, but it felt right.
“I can’t believe y’all tricked me like this. Thank you all for this wonderful surprise, but I especially want to thank this beautiful man right here.” She turned to face me again. “I appreciate your patience, time, hard work, and love you put into creating this beautiful space for me.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Now I see why you haven’t been calling me as much. Skye’s been keeping you busy,” my mother said.
I chuckled. “Something like that.”
My parents had flown into town for Skye’s birthday celebration, but neither of them knew that the status of my relationship with Skye had changed. The celebration was a few days ago, and I was finally able to get on my parents’ calendar.
Now that they’d purchased a house in Black Elm, they’d also gained quite a few friends, and it was hard getting on their schedule when they were in town. If they weren’t catching up on quality time with Kilan and Nymeer, there was no telling what they were up to.
“You should never be too busy to call your mother, but since Skye and that beautiful patio was your distraction, all is forgiven,” she said.
“She’s going easy on you, Son. She must really like Skye,” my father added.