When I was parked, I took my phone out of the cup holder and called Lyra. I let it ring, but she didn’t answer. I checked my email to let a couple of minutes pass by because maybe she was busy. I shot her an audio text.
Me:Hey, beautiful. You got a nigga ready to see your fine ass again already. I’m sure you’re busy right now, but I just wanted to hear your sweet voice before I went on with the rest of my day.
I smiled at the fact that I had just done that shit. I almost forgot how it felt to feel that way about a woman. Nobody had stirred that up in me since Junior’s momma, and that was many moons ago. Mr. Smith texted and simply sent a thumbs up emoji to let me know things were good between him and the person he was meeting with. I checked the surroundings once more then hopped out of the car to grab some coffee and walk around for a bit. My phone vibrated, and it was Rico.
“What’s good, young bull?”
“Top of the morning, OG. What you got running this morning?”
“Shit, handling some quick business with Mr. Smith.”
“Do you ever make time for pleasure, man?”
“I do.” I laughed. “But that shit ain’t your business. Just know I’m good on the business and pleasure tip.”
“Damn, for real? So you met somebody? Say less, OG.”
“Yeah, I did. I took her out last night. The chemistry is there fasho, and we seem to vibe well together.”
“Aww, shit. Unc about to have us a new auntie.”
“Shut up, nigga. I ain’t say all that, but she is something serious. I’d be lying if I said I couldn’t stop thinking about her.”
“You in love like that, OG?”
“I’m just being truthful. Shit. I ain’t gotta lie to kick it. My days of denying how I feel about a woman are over. I learned my lesson years ago.”
“I understand that, OG.”
“Aight, young bull. I’mma catch up with ya later once I’m back in ATL. Keep ya head on a swivel and get up with me later.”
“Got it, OG.”
Just as the call ended with him, I stepped into the coffee shop. It was quiet and small, and an older man stood behind the counter. I assumed he was the owner of the place.
“Good morning. What can I do for ya?” he asked kindly. It was reminders like that that let me know kind people existed in the world.
“Good morning. Can I get a triple espresso with one creamer, please?”
“Yes, sir. Coming right up. Anything else?”
“No. That’s all.”
“Alright. That’ll be $6.50.”
I pulled my card out and tapped it on the card reader to pay, and he made my espresso. The fresh, coffee-ground scent filledmy nostrils, and I could feel the caffeine perking me up already. I was a real coffee drinker; I laughed to myself.
With my triple shot of espresso in hand, I spotted a small jewelry store. I walked toward it, wondering if they had any vintage or classic style Rolex watches. I didn’t need another watch to add to my collection, but my grandfather always said a man could never have too many watches.
Truth be told, I’d always wanted a big collection of watches, just like my grandfather. That was what I remembered most about him from when I was a youngin. I remembered he used to let me borrow whatever watch I wanted. When I went to my senior prom, he let me wear his favorite one. Ever since then, I made it a point to keep a nice timepiece on my wrist.
As soon as I walked into the store, I was greeted by a short, older, white woman who looked like she acted onThe Young and the Restless.I laughed to myself as she spoke to me.
“Hello, young man. How can I help you today?” Her voice was soft, her tone curt.
“Top of the morning. I’m just browsing around today.”
“If there’s anything in particular I can help you with or find, let me know,” she responded and disappeared into the back. Knowing her, she was probably watching me on camera. I snatched my hoodie down to make sure I didn’t pose any kind of threat in there.
