“Damn, baby. You look... Wow!”
“Thank you.” I smiled from ear to ear. “You look handsome as always. Come inside.” I stepped to the side to allow him in.
Jabari slowly walked inside, but not once did he take his eyes off me. He pecked my lips once he got all the way in.
“Where are we going tonight?”
“It’s a surprise. Why?”
“Can we raincheck?”
My smile dropped. “I’m sorry? Something happened?”
“Nah, it’s not that. It’s just that I don’t think I’ll be able to control myself in public with you looking like this.”
“Boy!” I playfully slapped his chest. “You had me nervous.”
“My bad, you just look amazing.” Jabari kissed me again. This time, he inserted his tongue and kissed me with so much passion.
I could tell things were about to get carried away, so I had to find the strength to back away from him.
“Listen, we’re going to be late for our reservation. Let’s go.”
Jabari huffed. “Okay, but I swear when I get back here, I’m ripping that off you.”
“That’s the plan.”
I grabbed his hand, and we headed out the door for a night that I knew neither of us would ever forget.
Thirty minutes later, we arrived at the location for our date. I had reserved the last cabana at this new up-and-coming restaurant. It was perfect for private, intimate dates. The cabana was closed off, and others around could not see or hear each other’s conversation. There was a sectional sofa and a table in the middle. Everything was either nude or brown. A few candles were in the middle, adding light to the night sky. Soft music could be heard coming from speakers surrounding the cabanas. Jabari helped me sit on the sofa, and he sat close beside me.
“This is nice. I’ve heard a lot about this spot, but you know I try to avoid the competition, so I don’t get in my head about my shit.”
“I get that, but let’s look at tonight as a night of us forgetting about work and all that drama that comes with it.”
Jabari looked at me strangely and prepared to speak, but our server approached the area.
“Hi, welcome to Spice. What can I get started for y’all?”
“Can I order a bottle of champagne for now?” I asked.
“Sure. I’ll bring two glasses.” She walked away, leaving Jabari and me alone.
I could feel Jabari staring at the side of my face. I turned to face him and smiled.
“What?”
“Champagne? What are we celebrating?”
I took a deep breath. I had told no one that I had quit my job today. Jabari would be the first to know. I wasn’t sure how he would react, but I had to tell someone, and he felt like thebest person to share the news with. I smiled and reached for his hand.
“I did something so thrilling today. I um... I quit today.”
His eyebrow raised. “Quit? Quit what?”
“My job. I could no longer take being talked down to when I did everything in my power to keep that unit up and running. I wasn’t appreciated, and I’m no longer staying in situations that don’t serve me. I’m learning my worth, and if whatever it is does not see my worth, I’m leaving it behind me.”
Jabari remained quiet, just staring at me.
