“Don’t lie to me, Amina. I can’t help but feel like shit is weird between the two of us. Did I do something? Shit, are you unhappy with this?”
“No, you did nothing. It’s me. I’m in my head with everything. Seeing Jakeem in the mall brought back unwanted memories that I thought I had gotten over. I began to wonder if you can handle all of my problems when they come to the surface and not feel pushed to the side like him. I’ve been putting a bit of distance between us because of that. I didn’t want to crowd your space.”
Jabari stood there, staring at me. I became nervous the longer he stared.
“Say something.”
“Why? When you seem to have everything else figured out for me.”
I felt that blow to the chest.
“Not once did any of that come out of my mouth. If there was anything that I didn’t like or couldn’t handle that you brought to me, then I’m less of a man. Don’t ever put me and that bitch ass motherfucker in the same category. I’ve never gone out sad and ain’t about to start.”
I nodded. “I hear you, Jabari, but?—”
“You can hear me all you want, but I want you to listen. I’m not repeating myself.” He moved closer. “I don’t give a damn what comes up in your life, I’m here to back you up and supportyou. That’s my job as your man. Stop playing with me, baby girl, and let me be that nigga for you.”
I nodded. “Okay. I apologize for trying to handle this shit on my own.”
Jabari was showing me, over and over, how he wanted to be there for me, yet I couldn’t bring myself to let him fully take on my woes.
“It’s cool. I get it. You ain’t ever fucked with a real one before, but you’re gonna see.”
I rolled my eyes and playfully slapped his chest. He grabbed my hand and kissed it.
“I missed you,” he admitted, seriousness all in his tone.
“I’ve missed you too.”
Jabari pecked my lips once and then again before he shoved his tongue down my throat, knocking the wind out of me but in a good way. He finally pulled away, having me longing for more.
“Damn, I missed them sweet ass lips.”
I giggled. “Boy, you’re so crazy. I have to get back to work.”
“I wanna see you tonight.”
I smiled, prepared to say yes, but I remembered I had dinner with Gio and Danita tonight.
“Raincheck? I have a family dinner, and if I’m not there, they’ll come looking for me.”
“Oh, we’re having a family dinner. What time should I pick you up?”
My brow raised. “We?”
“You thought I was playing? I meant every word I said. Don’t think I ain’t forget about how your brother feels about you dating and shit. Let me show him. Shit, I’m your man, ain’t I? So again, what time am I picking you up?”
“Six-thirty.”
“See you at six-thirty. No later.” He pecked my lips and opened the door for me. He held it open until I walked out back onto the unit.
“See you tonight, Jabari.”
“See you, baby.”
I walked down the hall with my heart racing and palms sweating. I pulled out my phone and shot Danita a text, letting her know that Jabari was joining us. She sent back a shocked GIF along with a worried GIF. Frightened was an understatement. I just hoped that things went well.
It was 6:45 p.m.,and Jabari and I walked inside the restaurant Danita had reserved for us. I knew Gio and Danita were there because he was a prompt, on-time man, and he never showed up anywhere late. If anything, he was always there an hour earlier than the call time. I decided on a nude fitted blouse to match the pair of nude bell-bottom jeans and heels. Jabari wore a black and tan striped shirt with black jeans and sneakers. The restaurant Danita had picked served modern, family-style Asian food.
