“I made a video of my gifts that I plan to post before I leave.”
“Girl, you’ve got a good ten minutes to spare. What are you waiting for?”
“This look has me feeling really mature. Like I’m really the thirty-year-old of my dreams right now.”
“You look damn good, Ever. I can’t wait to hear all about your date tomorrow. Just leave out the parts about you sucking my brother’s dick and stuff. I really don’t want to hear that.”
“I’m not sucking dick tonight, Lyric. I’ll be back home in a few hours. You can wait up if you’d like.”
“Girl, I’d be up ’til morning if I waited on you. Trust me, you’re not coming back home. This is how it all starts right here.”
I grabbed my phone and opened my Instagram account. The video that I’d taken of my new gifts, I uploaded and tagged the person who’d gifted them. There were only five people following me so far, and they’d all know who was making me smile sooner than later. Nothing was official but neither was it a secret.
Thanks, @NoIGLuca, I added to the picture.
Just as I shut down my phone, the doorbell rang. My heart stiffened and all sound evaporated in thin air. I could only hear the ringing of my ears and my heart as it galloped in my chest. The thickness of my throat threatened to choke me as I tried taking steady, even breaths.
“Sounds like your date is here,” Lyric announced.
“Can you get the door?” I asked, fanning my face as I stood from the bed to pace the floor.
“Ever, there’s nothing to be nervous about, OK? You’re going to have a great time.”
“I know. There’s no doubt about that I just… I feel like what if I’m jumping into this too early? What if I fall in love withhim and fall back into the dependent role I’ve been in for years? What if we crash and burn and I end up at your house again? What about the girls? What if I get them involved and everything goes south?” I was in full-blown panic mode, anxiety riding my back.
“You ever heard of life?”
“Of course.”
“It happens, Ever. Whether you like it or not. You had a traumatic experience and I get why you’re being so cautious, but let me tell you… You can let your hair down with this one. Before he disappoints you, he’ll leave. Laike is a whole other story, but this one… Luca, he’s the real deal, Ever. I know you scared you’ll make the wrong choice again but this time you chose wisely. I’m not just saying that because he’s my brother. I’m saying that because I know the man who raised him and he’s everything that our father is, only better. So, relax for once. You can let your guard down with him. You deserve to. Let this man love on you because I can’t wait to watch. This has never happened for Luca.”
“Me neither,” I admitted.
“Then enjoy it together because I’m certain he will.”
“Please go grab the door before he thinks I’ve stood him up.”
“Okay but come right behind me.”
“I am. Just want to put on some perfume. I forgot.”
“Alright.”
I rushed to the vanity tray on the dresser and sprayed the Zara fragrance that I’d grabbed for my children the last time I’d gone to the mall with Lyric. I didn’t have the courage to spend four hundred dollars on my favorite perfume yet, so I settled for their $12.99 bottles. A mixture of two always got the job done. When I stepped out into the hallway, I felt much better.
When I reached the foyer, there stood Luca in a black Amiri shirt with black jeans to match. His chain glistened against thedark color and so did his smile. It widened as I got closer. When I was near enough, he pulled me into his arms. For once, I felt like the princess in the story who’d met her prince charming.
The embrace ended long before I wanted it to. So wrapped up in the muskiness of his cologne, I wanted time to stop until I was ready to let him go. I stepped backward with the heel of my shoes making a loud, familiar clacking noise.
Under Luca’s gaze, I began playing twenty-one questions in my head.Do I have on enough lip gloss? Wait, did I forget my lip gloss in the room? Is my hair frizzing? Can he tell I’m nervous? Where are we going? Does he like what I have on? Am I overdressed? Why is he looking at me like that? Is there something on my face? How do my curves look? Is this too revealing? What are his plans for me tonight?
“Hi,” he greeted, handing me the massive, long-stemmed roses in his hand. He silenced my thoughts and saved me before I self-destructed.
There must’ve been one hundred of them. The big bundle that was wrapped in craft paper was massive, and they were as heavy as they looked. I wasn’t sure where I was supposed to put them or how I was supposed to keep them alive but I’d try my hardest.
“I know that’s right,” I heard Lyric cheering from behind. When I turned, she had her camera out, again.
As corny as it sounded, it was my very first official date. I’d never had a man ask me out or show up to my doorstep bearing gifts. I’d always been down to chill or hangout, but never properly courted. I was looking forward to our moments together starting with the night.
