Page 61 of For the Lover in You
"You don't have to explain anything to me. I take it for what it is."
"That's the thing. It wasn't anything. I was exhausting all my contracts with Ari. We met with another commercial real estate company to take over her storefront. I knew Ari wouldn't stop trying to talk to me. That included disrespecting you, so if that meant having to sell her store to another company, then so be it."
"You didn't have to do all that."
"But I did. I meant what I said the other day. The way I'm feeling about you is real. I know what you've been through, and if there is anything that will ever make you question how I feel about you or disrespect you, I'm getting rid of it."
The line went silent. I spoke my truth. I could no longer fake the reality of how I felt about Mila. Anything she wanted, anything she needed or asked for, I wanted to make it happen for her. My heart grew more and more for her. I wasn't taking any risks of having anything in place to jeopardize how I felt about her, even if it meant my losing some business.
"Are you there?" I asked after a few seconds passed, and she remained quiet.
"I'm here."
"I'm sorry, baby. I should've told you, but I knew you would've tried to talk me out of it."
She softly laughed. "Yeah, I would've."
I laid back on the bed, relieved. I couldn't even control the stupid smile on my face. "I've missed you."
She giggled again. "You sure? You went all day without talking to me, Trey."
Now it was time for me to let Mila know how I felt about her talking to other people, including men. I didn't know what type of time she was on and if she missed how I was feeling about her.
"I ain't gonna lie. Hearing you talk about networking with other motherfuckers, then only coming to see me at night, had a nigga feeling sick, but I had to realize that you're just trying to figure shit out on your own."
"Thank you, Trey. I appreciate that, but you're right. You're not just a booty call. I shouldn't have said that."
"It's cool. I can be your booty call, as long as I get to spend time with you."
She giggled.
"Do you know this is the first time in two weeks you haven't been wrapped in my arms?"
She sighed. "Yeah, it feels strange. I won't lie. I do miss you."
"Say the word and I'll be over before we end this call."
"It's late. It wouldn't be right for you to be out driving."
"I already got my shoes on," I confessed as I slid on my slides. "I'm grabbing my keys and walking out the door. I'll see you soon."
She laughed. "Are you serious?"
"I'm shutting the door and backing out of the driveway. Stay on the phone with me 'til I pull up."
"You're crazy."
"Crazy for you. I'm really feeling you, Mila, no bullshit."
She sighed. "I'm feeling you too."
I grinned like a kid in a candy store.
"Go ahead and unlock the door. I'll be there soon."
I could hear her shuffling and then the door unlatching.
"Also, go ahead and get that thang ready for me. I've been wanting to have a taste of you since this morning. Let your boss know you won't be in tomorrow.
