“Come see me tonight. I’ll text you my address.”
“You sure?”
“I’m positive.”
Gloria cleared her voice, causing me to snap back into reality. I looked around, and all eyes were still on us. I dropped my head, but Jabari lifted it back up.
“See you tonight, beautiful.”
“Come on, Mama, and don’t start with all these questions. I’ll explain in the car.”
Gloria’s eyes bounced back and forth, but she followed behind Jabari with more pep in her step. I laughed at the two while I sniffed the beautiful flowers. I didn’t care that everyone was still staring at me. I was on cloud nine and planned to be even higher later on tonight.
I pulledup to a new and upcoming neighborhood around seven. Once five came, I didn’t waste any time waiting around at the job. I wanted to get home to freshen up and make it to Jabari’s house at a reasonable time. I opted to wear a pair of biker shorts, sneakers, and a graphic t-shirt. I’d stopped by the store and grabbed JaBria a pink balloon with a pink teddy bear and us a bottle of wine. I didn’t want to show up empty-handed.
As soon as I rang the doorbell, Jabari appeared. He had a handsome grin on his face. He wore a white t-shirt and a pair of cloth sweat shorts. He had on long tube socks and a pair of bedroom shoes. I swooned over his beautiful, chocolate skin and perfectly trimmed facial hair.
“Hey, Amina. Come on in.”
As I walked in, he scanned me from head to toe. His scent filled my nose, and I found it had become my favorite smell as of late.
“Thank you for inviting me,” I stated, passing him the wine bottle.
“Of course, and thank you for the wine. Make yourself comfortable. I’m just finishing dinner. The kid requested hot dogs and french fries, but I added a twist to ours.”
I shrugged. “That’s fine. I would’ve eaten it either way.”
He smiled. Seconds later, little feet could be heard running toward me. I smiled.
“Miss Amina!” JaBria squealed, running into my arms.
I squatted down to her level and gave her the biggest hug.
“Hi, pretty girl. I brought you something.”
I handed her the pink balloon and the pink teddy bear. It wasn’t much, but the way her eyes lit up, it was enough for her.
“Look, Daddy, it’s my favorite color!” she gushed, looking at Jabari.
He had a grin on his face. “I see. What do you tell Miss Amina?”
“Thank you!” she excitedly stated, looking back at me.
“You’re welcome, pretty girl.”
“Daddy, I’m going to call Grandma and show her!”
“Go ahead, baby.”
JaBria took off back to where she came from, leaving Jabari and me there. He made his way toward me.
“Thanks, I’m sure she’s about to talk my mama’s ear off. Get comfortable. I’ll be right back.”
He placed a kiss on my forehead and made his way to where JaBria was. For the first time since entering his home, I took in my surroundings. The decor in the house was nothing extravagant. Jabari had a brown leather sectional, a coffee table, and a massive TV. There was a dining room table with fourchairs and what looked to be some of JaBria’s artwork sprawled over it. There was only one family picture in the house, and that was of JaBria and Jabari. He held her as he helped her blow out her number three candle. I smiled at the picture-perfect moment. I walked toward the middle of the kitchen, and just like in his new restaurant, this one was just as well-equipped. I wasn’t surprised as I ran my hand along the marble countertops and the stainless-steel pots. I studied the pots on the stove, trying to figure out how he could add a twist to his hot dogs.
“Would you like some wine?” he asked, coming up behind him.
I nodded. “Sure. We can open the bottle I brought.”
