Page 5 of Somebody Else Will

“I’m gonna go.”

“Let me walk you out,” I said, then turned to Jackie. “I’ll be right back to discuss a few things with you.”

“Yes, sir.”

I followed Denishia out and quickly got in front of her to open the door. “I’m sorry about Jackie. I don’t know her, but I can guarantee we’re about to get real acquainted after you leave. I don’t play that disrespectful shit.”

“It’s okay. I can handle myself, but thank you for stepping up for me.”

I grabbed her hand, slowing her down somewhat. She frowned slightly, and she looked up at me. “Honestly, I’d like to be the one to step up for you all the time. You’re beautiful, Denishia.”

“Thank you. While I’m flattered, I can’t say that I’m single.”

“Damn. I should have known better.”

She looked away for a moment and swallowed hard. I could tell there was more that she wanted to say, but she settled on, “It was nice meeting you, Ezekiel. Talk to you soon.”

I nodded, then opened the door to her van and watched her ass in those tight ass blue jeans she wore as she got in. “Be careful,” I said, then closed the door as she smiled and nodded.

I took a couple of steps backward and watched her get situated. Once she did, she gave me a wave and pulled off. It was like I was stuck in wet cement until her van was out of view. Once it was, I made my way back inside, prepared to hand Jackie’s ass to her. The minute I walked in, she said, “I’m so sorry, Mister Wheeler. I was just caught off guard.”

She was smart. She didn’t get half of what I had for her. “Don’t let it happen again.”

“Yes, sir.”

She lowered her head for a moment. Lifting it, she said, “I hope you don’t mind, but I looked up her floral shop. She seems to be extremely talented. I’ve never seen bouquets quite like hers. She does designs with those flowers.”

I frowned slightly as she continued. “It’s just, I have a problem working with people I didn’t personally vet.”

I nodded. I could understand that. With her being the planner, people would assume she obtained the florist. If Denishia didn’t do the job she was paid to do, it could cast a bad light on her. “I understand. I apologize for not talking to you directly about that.”

She smiled big, then went on discussing plans. She talked about the caterer and the band she’d hired. I’d barely heard a word she said though, because my mind was preoccupied with how I would snatch Denishia from her man.

“Jamia,that man is so damn fine. TV doesn’t do him justice. Whew!”

I had just gotten back to the shop, and the girl barely let me make it through the door before she practically tackled me for details. I’d laughed like a giddy, star-struck teenager as I thought about just how pleasant he was to be around. Sexy wasn’t even an accurate enough word to describe his six feet, three inches of honey complexioned perfection. His arm tattoos and thick beard added to his sex appeal, but it was something about his eyes that moved me.

They were dark brown… nothing unusual about that, but they seemed to touch every part of me when he openly scanned my body. He looked at me like I was the sexiest woman in the world. While I didn’t have self-esteem issues, his open admiration of the body I was packing around was something I wasn’t quite used to. The way he licked his thick, pink lips hadmy insides boiling with desire. I hadn’t felt that way with Will since the first few months of our relationship.

“Earth to Denishia! Shit! That man got you gone! What did he say to you? I’ve never seen you like this!”

Jamia was way too excited. I gave her the side-eye with a playful grin and went to my office. She was right on my heels. I turned to her and said, “He asked to get to know me.”

Her eyebrows lifted, and her mouth fell open. “Oh my God! What did you say?”

“I told him that I wasn’t single, but for some reason, I don’t think that will deter him. After I revealed that, he still openly admired my body and said that he should have known I wouldn’t have been. But giiiirrrrrl… that man’s eyes said he didn’t give a fuck.”

She fell out laughing, literally grabbing on to the doorframe to steady herself. When she calmed down, she said, “If only I could be a fly on the wall to witness your next interaction.”

“Jamia, I’m in a relationship. I can’t entertain that man.”

“Girl, you better drop that zero and get with the fucking hero! You haven’t been this happy with Will. Don’t tell me you have been, because again, I haveneverseen you this way. You look completely smitten.”

I glanced at the time to see it was nearly six, then looked back over at her. Her eyes softened, and her facial expression became more serious. “I’m sorry, Denishia. I didn’t mean to be disrespectful.”

“It’s not you, Jamia. Honestly, you’re right. It’s just easier said than done. Starting over is scary. Although I sustain myself financially, starting over emotionally is draining. If I finally get the courage to put Will out of my house, I know I will need time to adjust and rebuild myself emotionally before I can even think about entertaining anyone else. The last thing I would want to dois hop right in and bring baggage from my relationship with Will into the new relationship.”

“I understand that. But what’s the harm in getting to know him? You may not even like him.”

---