Page 16 of Mister Artist

“That’s enough of that,” I said, lifting Mal off the couch by her hand.

“I have pictures too,” Mama said with a sly smile that made me chuckle.

“Yeah, but you wouldn’t show them to her because you love me too much to embarrass me like that… right? Besides, I wasn’t about to pee on myself, and I wasn’t scared. I just wasn’t in the mood to hold that thing.”

“Mhm. Tell that lie to somebody else.”

Malorie laughed at my expense as she allowed me to lead her down the hall to the guest room.

“What’s up, Neek?” she asked, tightening her grip on my hand slightly.

“I was able to get us tickets for the candlelight concert downtown tonight.”

“Ooh, I was wanting to go to that!”

“Good. I packed everything that was on your bathroom sink and in the shower. Hopefully that’s all you need to get ready.”

“Did you get me some perfume?”

“Yes, sweet girl. Jewelry too.”

As she took the bag from my hand, she gave me a slow, tender kiss. “How long do I have to get ready?”

“Forty five minutes,” was what I said, though she really had an hour and a half.

“And you’re sure no one we know will see us there?”

“I hope not. It’s not the vibe for my crew, so we should be good.”

“Okay, good.”

I gave her another quick kiss before going back into the living room with Mama. I’d probably start getting ready in fifteen minutes or so since it wouldn’t take me as long.

After the Concert

Malorie was silent,but the smile on her face showed she enjoyed the concert. The orchestra, completely surrounded by candles, performed ten Neo Soul songs, and it was a definite vibe. When it was over, we went toThe Rose Valley Hotelfor dinner, where we’d also be staying for the night. As we rode the elevator, I thought back to my conversation with Mama before I got ready.

“You like her, don’t you?”

I looked up from my phone and found her eyes already on me.

“Who?”

Mama’s eyes rolled. “Malorie.”

“I mean… yeah. She’s a very likable person.”

She scoffed. “Don’t play with me, boy. You know what I mean.”

Chuckling, I tossed my phone onto the couch gently and sat back in my seat. “I like her. I think I love her.” With a sigh, I ran my hand over my face. “I know I love her. I just… don’t want to say it because that would make this too real and even more complicated.”

“Why is it complicated to begin with? Mal is an amazing woman. She has some maturing to do but you do too. I love that little girl.”

I felt myself blushing because of her approval. “Malik doesn’t want any of his friends to date her. We’ve been cooling it but we’re not official and we’ve been hanging out on the low.”

Mama’s brows raised as she rubbed her hands up and down her thighs. “I see. She’s worth risking your friendship with him?”

“I don’t even want to think about that, Mama.”

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