Page 17 of It's Love I'm After

“I’m guessing you’re hard of hearing and incapable of comprehending. Let me remind you, though. When you left my house, I specifically remember asking you to call or text me when you got to your crib. It’s been an hour, and from your relaxed tone, I’m assuming your pretty ass is comfortably lying in bed.”

Germayne and I met up at the Supercenter at the start of today’s date because I wasn’t ready to give him my address. Instead of taking two vehicles for our fishing expedition, I rode with Germayne, which also made it easy for me to accompany him to his house for dinner. However, I was kicking myself when Germayne drove me to my car, and I had to drive home on a full stomach. Getting a call from Riele and Isis to catch up had me forgetting to call or text Germayne after getting home.

“Chaniya?”

“How old are you, Germayne?”

“Thirty, but what does my age have to do with this present inquiry?”

“I’m just wondering why a man with your career and credentials speak with such heavy Ebonics. It seems highly inappropriate.”

“What’s highly inappropriate is you not following simple instructions so the man you’ve spent the day with doesn’t have to lose his mind over worrying about you. To answer your question, just like the knobs that control the water that flows from my faucet, I know how to turn my professional versus non-professional dialect on and off. I’m still waiting for your answer to my original question, though.”

8

GERMAYNE

Things have been going well after the nearly failed first date with Chaniya, and my feelings have been moving at hyper speed. Chaniya’s witty personality is a flex after dealing with Sherita’s hyperaggressive urge to force me into a lifelong commitment. Enjoying and reciprocating Chaniya’s sense of humor has been a breath of fresh air. Seeing the deer-in-headlights expression on her face while I held up the minnow will forever be one of my most memorable first dates. Then to see her running like she was auditioning to be a track team member had me in stitches.

I didn’t think she could move so fast. I guess it goes to show why you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. Chaniya proved that her thick thighs were more than capable of saving her life. Seeing her scraped and bleeding palms had me ready to kick my own ass for causing her pain. It also was a sign that I had to correct the date so I would be given another opportunity to spend time with her. For the first time in my life, a woman has my nose wide open, and I’m unsure how I feel about it. It's only been a few days since the date, and I’m already craving Chaniya’s presence.

“Who’s got you staring into space, bro?” Jarrod asks.

Jarrod asked me to tag along with him to his cousin Kyree’s auto repair shop to check on his truck. I should have known Jarrod’s ass only wanted me to go so I could save him some money by not scheduling an Uber. Instead of accompanying Jarrod, I should be sleeping since I have to work tonight, but here I am.

“Nobody. Why are you watching me?”

“I wasn’t, but Kyree pointed out how sad your ass was looking, so I came to check on you. Don’t be embarrassing me. You know cuz is extra sensitive with his old lady being pregnant.”

A low chuckle escapes, and I shake my head at Jarrod before laughing when Kyree walks up and punches Jarrod in his stomach.

“Stop capping and leave my old lady out of your gossip session,” Kyree says before turning his attention to me. “Yo, you good, G? I’m not used to you sitting anywhere quiet. Your dog died or something?”

“His ass has been acting funny since he met some shorty who has been giving him her ass to kiss. I’m about ready to schedule him to see a head doctor because my bro is down bad.” Jarrod interjects.

“Wow. You’re reaching, but I’ll let you have it.”

“Oh, what happened then? You found out she eats toe jam with her toast?” Jarrod asks.

“Wait, what? That’s some nasty shit. Please tell me it ain’t nothing like that,” Kyree asks, twisting his nose like he smells something foul.

*bzz, bzz*

Ignoring Kyree and Jarrod, I remove my phone from my pocket, and a shit-eating grin upturns my lips upon seeing Chaniya’s name on my screen.

Chaniya: I was just thinking about you. Have you gotten rid of your nasty attitude, or do I need to block you again?

“Oh shit! This nigga must have gotten something from old girl. Look at this goofy ass grin,” Kyree says, laughing.

“Right. He has stars in his eyes and everything. Wow. This nigga already fell for ole girl based on the thirty-twos currently on full display. Damn,” Jarrod adds.

I refuse to admit how out of sorts I’ve been feeling since Chaniya went silent on me the night of our date. I might have gone overboard in how I handled not hearing from her, but in my defense, her perfume still lingered in my kitchen, reminding me of her absence. Not wanting to keep Chaniya waiting, I ignore the niggas in my presence and type my response.

Me: Let me make it up to you, love. When are you free again?

A strong desire to lock Chaniya into our next date hits me like an ocean current, causing me to hold my breath while waiting for her reply.

Chaniya: I’m not sure. My baby is sick, and I need to focus on nursing him back to health. I can let you know when my schedule opens up. Until then, have a great day.

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