It’s clear his family’s history has shaped his life and why he went into law alongside his father. A part of me does wonder if he does all of this because he truly wants to be a changing force in the black community or if liberal white guilt is playing a role.
“You’re quiet,” he whispers in my ear and my heart stumbles a little, “what’s on your mind, gorgeous?”
I haven’t gotten used to the nickname Savior has given me. I finally conceded it’s something he means and he’s not just saying it for shits and giggles. “I’m just taking in the scene, that’s all. It’s a lot to discover here and I’m just amazed by it all.”
“Is that all?” He stares into my eyes and I lightly sigh. “You seem troubled, gorgeous. I don’t like it when my girlfriend is bothered by something.”
Girlfriend. Second time he’s referred to me as such. “Girlfriend, huh?”
“You’re not?” He replies. “If it bothers you, I’ll stop.”
“No, it’s not that. It’s just…” I let out a small sigh. “…I don’t even know if you like coffee or tea?”
Savior chuckles and once again I feel his rumble in my loins. “Both. Espresso in the mornings to wake me up and tea at night to soothe me. Chamomile.”
I have neither in my home. I guess I’ll be making a trip to the store soon. “Got it.”
“Anything else?” He wraps his arm around my shoulder and caresses it.
“I don’t know anything about you. I don’t know your fears, your hopes and dreams…I know none of that.” I reply. “I don’t know if you want me to know.”
“Why?” He hastily adds. “Have I said I didn’t want you to know anything about me?”
“You said you didn’t want romance, and you didn’t want a relationship but you’re calling me your girlfriend.” It’s not lost on me the overhead speakers are now playing “Adore” by Prince. “So, I’m not sure what to believe.”
Savior sweeps his lips over mine and my worries dissipate into the air. His lips claim me, branding me again, telling me I belong to him and daring anyone to say anything about it. His other arm snakes around my waist and he softly pinches the tight fabric of my shirt, anxious to get it off me but patient to wait until we’re home.
He pulls away from me and my body wants more. “Keisha…” he lightly touches my lips with an index finger. “…I’m a complicated man. My career comes first and it always has. But I’m more than willing to make you a priority.”
He said with such a declaration, I felt a chill. It felt too right. It felt too perfect. Our date on Saturday will be our official debut in front of the world. Every society page will have us pictured. Every black IG gossip blogger will have me shown.
I thought of Andrea and how she was getting desperate for a storyline. She went on a rant calling me ungrateful and how I should’ve been thankful to have a mother like her, though everyone knows she never did anything for me.
She’s low-key salty I haven’t appeared on a single episode of her reality show and I never will. She wants the fame and popularity, and will do anything to achieve it. I’m content staying at home and eating my Fruit Loops and watching Netflix.
A guy like Savior doesn’t date a girl from the ‘hood. And a man like Savior damn sure wouldn’t date a woman who has a drug dealer father. I don’t doubt for a second, all of that will come in within a few days of our picture being posted.
“Savior, before we can continue with this arrangement we have…”
“It’s still an arrangement?” His eyes dance. “I could’ve sworn I called you my girlfriend and you didn’t argue.”
I’m not sure how to respond to that. He’s right I didn’t argue but I’m also slow to accept whatever is going on between us. I finally decide now is the time to tell Savior everything and be completely raw with him. He has to know the truth about my daddy. And then he can slowly break my heart.
“Savior, I have something to tell you. It’s about my daddy. He’s a…”
“Well, well, well!” The world’s most horrible womb-holder alive, Andrea, aka my birth mother aka Satan’s Spawn aka Lucifer’s Mistress, is right before our eyes. In tow is her paper bag-passing, broke-ass boyfriend, King J. Also attached to Andrea, is Chermica’s mother, Charmaine. “Look who we have here?”
My night had the potential to end badly. Now it’s a guarantee.
