Page 29 of Surrender to Love

The restaurant is on the mountain and takes about twenty-five minutes to get there. After letting her out in front, I park her ride and meet her back there. With her hand in mine, we enter the restaurant and are seated immediately because of our reservation.

“I can see why you like this spot,” I tell her once we’re seated comfortably in the private, half-circle booth.

“I’ve never been inside actually. I’ve just had the food through delivery. I like this though, especially these,” she says, casting her eyes on the bottles of tequila on the walls. The entire restaurant is a vibe. It’s very modern, dimly lit with a gold-like glow, with the appeal of a steakhouse. Our booth is shaded by a large tree and large candles provide the golden light around the rim of the booth. “I’ve always wanted to come inside, so thank you for bringing me,” she says before reaching over and holding my hand. “You look so handsome, by the way.”

“Just trying to match my beautiful lady.”

“Bienvenido a Abuelito’s. I’m Consuela. What can I get started for you tonight?” our server asks as soon as she approaches our booth.

“A mango margarita with tajin instead of a salt or sugar rim and a Black Ops Black Barrel on the rocks with a splash of sour,” Kyrah says and I smile.

She knows my drink.

“Oh, and the tableside guacamole with the red tortilla chips,” she adds after closing the menu

“They will be right out to make your guacamole,” Consuela assures us before walking off.

“This guacamole is heaven. I love everything I’ve ever tasted here, but the guacamole, so damn good.” She smiles then turns to me. “How was work today?”

“I thought we were gonna talk about you.”

“We are, I promise, but we spend so much time on me and my drama. Tonight is our first date. We look damn good and are about to enjoy some really great food. Let me ask about my man, please,” she says before pecking my lips.

How can I say no to her?

“It was straight. Busy like always. I had time to work on my bike though. It should be ready to ride by the new year.” In January, I got a pretty ass 2002 Harley-Davidson Softail FXST for four grand. It only has a little over forty-one thousand miles on it. She had been sitting for a while, so she needs the carburetor rebuilt, new tires, and a new starter. I’m also adding a passenger pillion for my baby. “You gon’ ride with me, right?”

“On a motorcycle? Shiro, I don’t know about that. They can be dangerous.”

“The bike isn’t dangerous; the driver is and that ain’t me. Especially when I’m driving my love around. I ain’t letting no one or nothing hurt you, not even me,” I tell her, meaning every damn word. That’s why I still have her fuck ass ex-husband’s address in my phone. I keep hearing her words about leaving him alone, but the man that I am is having a hard ass time heeding them bitches.

“I know,” she says with a simper. “But you are all too familiar with all this ass, hips, and thighs I have.”

“Nah, I’m not familiar,” I begin, then lean in closer to her ear as my hand rubs her exposed, soft ass thigh. “I’m fucking obsessed.”

Her smile is big as hell when she says, “Right, but I’m talking about a little ass motorcycle seat. I got too much.”

“It fits perfectly when you sit on my face,” I say and she laughs softly.

“Definitely not the same,” she says, amused.

“Buenos noches,” a man’s voice says, interrupting. “I’m here to make your tableside, delicioso guacamole.” As soon as he realizes he has our full attention, he gets to work. Fast as hell, he grinds freshly sliced onions, jalapeños, cilantro, and salt inside of a stone bowl. Then he adds avocados and tomatoes. “Please taste,” he says after placing the stone bowl and a plate of tortilla chips in front of us. “You like more spicy?” he asks.

Baby is right. This guacamole is good as hell just like this, but I’m half Nigerian. My Hausa half loves spicy foods; extra jalapeños won’t hurt.

“He likes it spicy,” Kyrah says. “Just a little more peppers and you can leave the seeds.”

“I like,” he says before grinding a whole pepper and adding it in. “Enjoy,” he adds before leaving.

“I told you,” she says when I dip another chip into the guacamole.

“Yeah, baby, this shit is fire. If everything else tastes like this, it’s gonna be a good ass night.”

Seconds later, our server returns with our drinks and takes our food orders. We decide on the shareable carne asada and chicken fajitas. I also order a side of grilled jalapeños. The minute our server walks off, Kyrah dabs her napkin on her mouth and places it on the table.

“I have to stop eating this guacamole if I’m gonna save any room for these fajitas. They are so good. They actually marinate the meat in tequila and you know I love tequila.” Unlike her, I keep eating, because I definitely only ate breakfast today and this guacamole shit is just really damn good. She lets me enjoy it too. “Did Shuga come in today or did y’all finally find someone to replace her?”

“Shuga was costing us too much damn money. She had to go,” I say half seriously. Shuga is no stranger to working at the shop. She used to do it back in the day with Asali. So when she was helping out, she kept that area spotless as shit, coffee was always made, and she was the best with the customers. The only issue is her big ass heart. It prevented her from charging people what they should be charged. And don’t let a woman come in there with kids, she didn’t have to pay shit. Shuga would comp her whole ass check. “We hired someone a few weeks ago.”