Prince: Love Always Wins

Lesha

Twenty bags of flour, five boxes of baking powder and baking soda, ten dozen eggs, ten bags of sugar, and powdered sugar as far as the eye could see. More and more mornings were starting off this way, and that was a flex within itself. I had just received my delivery and I prayed that me upping my order would make it last throughout the week. Prince’s crew had expanded, so while he worked, I was baking for the crew that was finishing houses and the crew that worked at the hotel.

I smiled as I stepped back and took a picture. I uploaded it to IG with the caption all in a day's work. I was really pumping the shit out. I saw now that it was in my blood. All it took was for me to trust myself. I was really out here standing on my own. I couldn’t say that fully but it was without the help of my sister who I cling to for comfort. I was changing. No, Prince was right, I was becoming and I loved that. Thinking of my sister I called her to see if she was free.

“Damn boo, I miss your cooking,” she said as soon as she answered.

“You must have just seen my IG.”

“I did. What you doing?”

“What you doing is the question. Seems like I was the last to know about this little marriage stunt you pulled. You know you have Chaz’s chest caving in.” A smile hung on my lips as I started putting the groceries away.

“Well, it’s not a stunt,” she added quickly.

“Huh?” Because I know I didn’t hear that right.

“I’m getting married, sis’.”

“What? To this Apollo nigga? You just met this guy.”

“It’s not for love. It’s about money. He needs a wife. He’s willing to pay for one and I’m willing to be paid,” she said simply.

“Wait a damn minute. You are going to marry a complete stranger? For how long? How much is this man paying you?” I was floored.

“Enough to make my time and energy worth it.”

I paused reformulating before I came down on her. She was old enough to make her own choices, and even though we were twins, we were two separate people. As a sister, I had to ask this one question. “So none of this is about Chaz?”

“I have to get over him. I don’t know what it is, but Chaz has his hooks in me, and I just need some distance. I’m not out here falling in love. It’s a deal that will give me enough money to change my life. I’m tired of living on someone else’s terms.”

“What about the fashion show?”

“With this money I can start my own line without the help of anybody. Trust me I thought all of this out.”

“Dammit Nesha. How did things change so fast? Promise me you will take care of yourself.”

“Like I said. I’m not the one over here falling in love. Not like you.”

“Huh?”

“Ooh, damn not you acting like you need a hearing aid. It’s okay baby. I apologize for not being supportive. I never wanted you to think I’m not happy for you. Love that man because I can see what he is doing for you.”

“I do love him, sis’.” I whispered clutching the phone. Just saying that I felt lighter.

“I may not be close but it ain’t shit but a flight. I can still beat Prince’s tall ass!”

“He knows better. But Apollo though? He must be rich!”

“And is!” She laughed. “I will tell you all about it soon. Right now I have to go. I love you boo.”

“I love you, too, sis’.”

I disconnected the call. I tried to continue to put up my order, but tears clouded my vision. I was so happy for us. I didn’t know the man Apollo but I did trust my sister. It may not have been love, but she was getting away from the toxicity of Chaz. She sounded brighter. More than anything we were back on track. I could share my happiest thoughts with the person on this earth I was closest to. Nothing beats that. My phone chimed, and it was a message from her.

Stop crying because you know I do whenever you do!

That made me laugh. I shook my head and went to my emails to check if I had any last-minute orders before I started planning how to tackle my baking today. I stopped when I saw an email from Giovan Hotels. Those were the ones Prince was working on. I opened the email and gasped. They wanted my pricing for a catering event that was scheduled for the opening in three weeks. I was gassing myself up a few seconds ago, but after receiving that email, I felt inadequate. There was a guest list of 1500. I had never cooked for that many people in my life. I called Prince.

“What up baby? You good?”

“I just got an email.”

“Okay…”

“Did you know about it? Giovan Hotels inquired about my catering an event for the opening. It’s going to be 1500 people there.”

“I didn’t know about it, but why would I have to? A few of the owners stopped by and picked up your treats and fell in love. I have your card and information posted everywhere. They would be crazy not to pick you.”

I smiled. “I don’t know. I have never catered for any event. Let alone for this many people. I think it may be too big for me.”

“That only means you are thinking too small, baby. Why don’t we do this? When I get home we discuss everything you need to make you comfortable.”

“It’s not even a definite. They are just asking for a price list and menu.”

“It is definite if you want it. I haven’t met anyone who can put love on a plate like you, baby. Don’t stress yourself. You got it.”

“Thank you, baby.” I blushed.

“How ya pretty ass doing other than that?”

“I’m good. I just talked to my sister and getting ready to start baking.”

“Sis’ getting married for real?”

“Yeah, she is.” There was a brief pause before he started to speak again.

“Speaking of sister, Pria is coming in tomorrow for a few days.”

“Nice! It will be good to have someone here.” As soon as I said it I realized how insensitive it sounded.

“Baby,”

“I didn’t mean it like that. I understand.”

“Do you?” he asked.

“Of course I do. Now let me bake. I love you.” I tried to rush off the phone.

“Tell me again.”

“I love you, Prince.”

“I love you too, woman.”

I disconnected the call and smiled, prancing through the kitchen. Was I really thinking about long-term things with this nigga? Years? Marriage? A thought that was so foreign a few months ago was such a potent reality now. Even with Devin and his empty promises, it was never something I fantasized about. His words never connected with the truth. Now Prince? He delivered time and time again. He secured me and I was falling into my softness more each day.

I spent hours baking and prepping for tomorrow’s sales. I made dinner but ended up just placing it in the microwave like I had been the past few weeks. Prince texted that he would be late and I was dog tired on my own account. I don’t know what time he came in because I drifted to sleep waiting on him.

In the middle of the night my eyes peeled open. The first thing I felt was his embrace. The perfect heaviness of his arm around my waist pulled me in the perfect spooning position. The scruff of his beard laid against my ear. His affection overwhelmed me always but lately I’d just been waking up in the middle of the night appreciating how different my life was, How good it felt to be in his presence even when he was unaware. I would lie still afraid to make a move. Holding my breath because I didn’t want it to end.

His hand moved and rubbed the side of my body. Even in his sleep he couldn’t stop touching me. I felt his lips move and I closed my eyes tightly. Lord knows I didn’t mind the conversation with Prince. Those were always the best but I wanted to cling to this moment for dear life because he was right. As good as our sex life was, our intimacy was better. So much better.

“You sleep?” his deep voice spoke as lightly as he could manage. When I didn’t respond he nestled me even closer. A moment passed before he spoke again.

“You are a beautiful woman. You are strong, Le. You can do whatever the fuck you put your mind to. You will never have to worry about being alone. I’m here and you can depend on me. Whenever you can’t stand, I’ll stand for you. Bless her God. Heal the parts of her that hurts that she hasn’t even told me about. Give her peace and every goal that she is reaching for I pray you give her favor to receive it. Last, strengthen us together. Make me the man I need to be to be worthy of such love. Amen. I love you, Le.”

He kissed my neck just behind my ear, and seconds later, a light snoring returned. My heart was in shambles. How could love get any better than this?

***

“Hey Pria,” I said as I walked toward the door and saw her come through it. Pria broke out into a full-blown jog and embraced me. She had just landed and Prince took a break to pick her up. I told him I would be they had a lot to talk about.

“Oh my God! How are you doing, sister?” Pria squealed. I saw Prince standing in our doorway gauging how I took her. Pria was a sweet girl. Was she a little over the top? Of course she was but I wasn’t one to talk. She held this innocence that was so foreign to me

“I’m good girl. Atlanta must be treating you well because, baby, where are the hips coming from?” I teased.

“Y’all chill out.” Prince stepped up in big brother mode. “Her ass needs some more clothes on as it is.” I swiped my hand in his direction.

“She looked fine.”

“I told him that.”

“Aye, I gotta go back to work. Y’all cool? I won’t be too late today.”

“Yeah, go ahead, bruh, just leave your card here.”

“I bet.” He laughed. Their small interaction made me wish for an older brother.

Once Prince left, Pria stole me away from my baking, and we hit the mall. She loved to shop, and I saw just how infectious her personality was. I don’t know what it was about them, but I could get along with them so well. I was slightly nervous about her coming even though I spent time with her at the wedding. It was different when it wasn’t a group. One-on-one, our vibe was easy. We had lunch and came home.

“Now look, you made me shop all day, and now I’m behind, so you have to help.”

“I got you! As long as I get to eat the extras. I was stealing snacks all day.”

“I hope you ready because as long as I have someone around, I will always cook.”

“Why you say it like that?” She scrunched up her nose.

“Nothing. Your brother is busy and I don’t get to fatten him up like I like. It’s okay. How you been in Atlanta.” I tried to slip past it.

“Same as always. Niggas and shit, and work is shittier. Speaking of niggas,” she said, and she flashed her phone. She slid off the stool and walked to one of the back rooms. A few seconds later the front door opened. It was Prince and my eyes whipped around to the stove. It was barely five. I tried not to be jealous but he hadn’t come home this early in weeks.

“Damn, every time I look at you, you get prettier.”

I smiled as he came to me and pulled me into his arms. He tried to kiss my lips but I turned slightly out of reach. He stepped back. He placed his phone on the counter and asked, “What’s that about?”

Loud talking from the other room stirred us both. We migrated there on cue and the closer we got we could overhear Pria in a conversation. I couldn’t make everything out but the man she was talking to was being much too aggressive for my liking. Prince damn sure wasn’t with it. “Think I give a fuck?” I heard the male voice say as soon as we opened the door. Prince stepped up and snatched the phone from her hands.

“Who the fuck is this nigga, Pria?” Prince said and Pria’s eyes widened.

“Nigga who the fuck is you? Pria you better bring your ass to me,” the dude said before ended the Facetime call. Pria damn near tried to run out of the room.

“Where the hell you going? You bet not move a damn muscle. Pria, are you crazy?” Prince’s voice came out with no regard. I brushed my hand across his shoulder to soothe him. What we just heard was wild, but I had a heart for Pria and what she was going through. I had been a dumb girl too many times.

“Leave me the hell alone, Prince! You don’t get to tell me what to do. I’ll be back.”

“So you really about to go running behind this nigga that disrespected you? Where the hell you learn some shit like that?”

“How do you know what I learned? You left me, Prince, and you are leaving me now! Priest and you both are starting your own thing and have somebody, but it’s always me by myself!” She shot daggers at him. The silence was so damn thick in the room neither of us knew what to do next. Then Pria broke down. It was so shocking how quickly she dissolved into a fit of sobs. Prince pulled her into his arms before she could collapse to the ground.

“Pria,” Prince said softly.

“You don’t understand, Prince!”

“Then tell me. Tell me what’s going on because you know we would never allow a nigga like this in our presence, let alone to date our sister. I’d put his ass in the ground first!”

Pria pulled back from his chest as her eyes jumped to his. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who saw his eyes darken. I stood awkwardly in the background, feeling like I was intruding on a family moment.

“It was just sex.” She sniffed, looking like a little girl being admonished by a father.

“It’s never just sex. Especially when you are a woman of your stature. You have shit going for yourself, and you are going somewhere. Letting a nigga like that have his way with your body can create a fucking soul tie you can’t disconnect. I should’ve been here, Pria. I’m sorry.”

“It’s not your fault. I shouldn’t have said that. I’m sorry.” Pria’s eyes found mine, and I could see the discomfort in her revelation. I didn’t feel any way about it because I knew it wasn’t about me. Instead, it was about the loneliness she was feeling.

“I should let y’all talk.”

Prince’s only response was to pull me beside him.

“You said what you felt, and it ain’t shit wrong with getting something off your chest. Just know it’s no excuse. The way a nigga treat you is exactly the way they feel about you. If a man wants you beside him, that is exactly where he will have you.” His eyes flipped to me. “Trust me. I know.” He pressed a kiss to my forehead. “Can you give us a minute, baby?”

I nodded before pressing a smile Pria’s way and walking out of the door.

“Whew shit,” I spoke walking down the hallway. Being in the family business was something else. My sister and I had our share of drama but seeing Prince buck up was wild. He didn’t play about Pria. When I got in the kitchen I migrated to the counter. I saw Prince’s phone on the counter. Everything told me not to touch it. My eyes looked to the doorway before I snatched it up in my hands. Prince kept his phone locked but I knew the password since most times I was the one playing the music on our drives.

I scrolled through a few texts from family. I didn’t find anything until I came across a text chain from someone I gathered was his pilot. Multiple texts back and forth coinciding with flight plans while he was supposed to be at work sank my heart, and I couldn’t breathe. There was no way Prince was fucking around on me. Not after all the things he told me. Not after the ways he made me feel.

Pria and Prince cracked the door, and I quickly put the phone down. Prince came to me, and I swallowed to bridle my nerves. I need to do more investigation.

“You good, baby?”

I flashed a smile.

“Fine.”