I could hear music in the background. I looked at the clock and knew she was out at happy hour. I cursed myself, realizing I had interrupted her evening.
“Never mind, call me back when you leave the bar!” I shouted.
“Hold on, I’m walking outside.”
I could hear her shuffling and the sound of music decreasing as she made her way outside.
“I’m back. Is everything okay?”
“Yeah. I just needed to call and ask for advice, but if you’re busy?—”
“Girl, stop. What’s going on?”
I explained to Danita everything that happened from when Gloria called me to the end of the call with Jabari a few minutes ago.
“I just don’t know what to do.”
“Amina, I’ve told you about that grudge-holding shit, yet you continue to do it. Let that hurt go, boo. He made a mistake. Emotions were high, but he apologized. Move on from it.”
“So, go on the date is what you’re saying?”
“That’s exactly what the hell I’m sayin’, but also, let that nigga sweat a bit. Don’t get off my phone and go calling him back right away. I promise he’ll want you just a bit more.”
“Danita...” I sighed.
“Trust me, sis. That nigga called and apologized, and that’s like finding a four-leaf clover in today’s society. He’s feeling you, and from the way you talk, I’m thinking you’re feeling his ass too. Let him know you got the upper hand in all this. He may run a business, but you’re about to show him who really runs shit.”
I laughed. “Danita, relax.”
“I’m just saying. But for real, take the offer on the date and get to know him. I’m sure you’ll find that Gloria raised a good man.”
I sighed. “Alright, I’m going to take your advice. But if this shit backfires, I swear, Danita, I’m becoming a nun.”
“And I’ll become one with you. Now, set a reminder so you know to hit him up.”
“Alright, thanks for the advice. Get back to your happy hour and be safe.”
“You’re welcome! I love you.”
“Love you more.”
We ended the call, and I did just as Danita instructed. I set a reminder in my phone to call Jabari and confirm the date.
It was Monday afternoon,and I was on my lunch break outside since the spring flowers were blooming and the sun shone brightly, accompanied by a gentle breeze. The weather was perfect, and my day was actually going well. Patrick was in meetings all morning, and the unit was running smoothly. I took that as the universe was putting me into a space for what I had to do today.
The reminder I’d set went off just as I had sat down to start my lunch. I smiled, but my nerves kicked in. I thought maybe Danita could’ve read the interaction wrong, and now here I was going off everything that she said. I couldn’t help but wonder if Jabari would answer the phone, or if he would’ve laughed in myface for playing hard to get. Still, I reminded myself that either way, I wouldn’t know unless I called.
The phone rang a few times, then went to voicemail. My spirit fell, and I felt like a complete idiot. I should’ve called him back when I had the chance. Trying to play hard to get had me kicking myself in the ass. I went to my text thread to text Danita to let her know she was wrong when Jabari’s name flashed across the screen. I waited a couple of seconds before answering.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Amina. Sorry I missed your call. I was wiping my hands after working on the stove. What’s up?”
“Oh... um...”
My nerves were getting the best of me. I could barely form a sentence. I spent the rest of the weekend and this morning practicing what I was going to say to him.
“Is everything good?” he asked.
