Page 32 of Only for the Week
I guess the conversation is over.
Grabbing my paperback, I open it to where I left off and though I’m immediately immersed back into the story, Rome’s presence breaches the hub of my consciousness. I notice every shift in his body against mine. I notice every time he swipes to a new page, every sound he makes, every crease in his forehead. I even notice him highlighting a few things as he reads.
Not once does he interrupt me or try to get my attention, so I give him the same courtesy and keep to myself.
We sit in comfortable silence, devouring our books as I notice he’s just as fast of a reader as I am. My hand stays planted on his head, massaging his scalp, only removing it to turn the pages.
After I read the last page of my book, I close it with a smile and stretch my arms up to the ceiling.
“Are you taking a break?”
“I just finished.”
He jolts up from his seat and turns to me. “Okay, good, because I have questions.”
His quick movement makes me choke on my laughter and he uses his heavy ass hand to pat me on the back. “Are you not liking it?”
“I wanna know why Jharrel thought Essence was gonna come see him after he talked to her crazy in the operating room. She should’ve punched him dead in his shit.”
“Yeah, he’s an asshole.”
“That’s it? He’s an asshole? J, this man showed up to play basketball with her brother tryna get information on her from him. Tyree should’ve dunked on his ol’ goofy wannabe Jackson Avery–head ass.”
“Not you getting invested in these characters.”
“I’m all the way invested because something ain’t right with that man. On a brighter note, Essence is nasty. She a freak freak and I love it. I see why you like this book. It’s sexy. I think I’m halfway through and shit is getting wild.”
“In that case, I’m about to really put you on, make you a certified filth pusher.”
“Well, shit, put me on then. I’m ready.”
We both laugh and I lean my head on his shoulder. “By the way, A.R. is a local writer, too. Her name’s Aniyah and her brother owns that bookstore, Bookmarked and Busy, off North Charles.”
“Oh yeah, I’ve seen that store. Have you met her?”
“No, I just follow her on socials.”
“I’m gonna follow her after I get through these books. I wanna know why Tracy keeps dealing with her man when everybody knows he’s cheating on her. That security guard, what’s his name? Eric? He’s feeling her.”
I bend over in hysteria at his assessment. “Look at you thinking you know something. Tracy’s book is the third book.”
“And is her guy Eric?”
“It’s not out yet. You gon’ have to wait and see.”
“Mhm. I bet it is. That means I’ma have to deal with her bum ass man through all of book two, I bet. Lawd.”
We spend another few minutes talking about the books when Paul comes in to let us know lunch is ready, and we let him know we’d like to eat out on the sundeck.
I decide to strip down to my bathing suit because after lunch I’m going to be ready for a swim. When my shorts hit the ground, so does Rome’s jaw.
This bathing suit leaves very little to the imagination. It’s a jade green two-piece with a drawstring thong bottom and bikini string top.
I’ve never subscribed to the idea that just because you’re bigger than what society deems acceptable you shouldn’t be able to flaunt your body. I’m a big girl. I’m not very top heavy, I only wear a C-cup bra. My waist is somewhat trimmer, but my wide hips make up for it. I’ve got stretchmarks, dimples, and dips on my ass and hips. My arms are flabby, my lower belly has a pooch to it, and my thighs rub together when I walk. I make no attempts to cover up because I feel very comfortable in my body, and from the way Rome is devouring me with his eyes, he agrees with me.
I look good as hell.
“Damn, J. I can’t even put into words how gorgeous you are.” I do a little turn so he can get the full effect. “Come here, I think I need a closer inspection to figure out the right word.”
