Page 15 of Mixed Connection
B
When did I get added to this group chat? *eyes emoji* Fill me in about the ankles thing.
Lo
Are you complaining? Cause I can remove you.
B
No nooo. Don’t get sassy!
You know. You spray perfume on your ankles just in case they’ll be in the air later.
J-babe
YASSS!!! Put em up, put em up!
Last night was busy for us, which is surprising as it normally doesn’t pick up until later in the week when ladies’ night and book club events take place. I’m not going to complain, though. With wanting to build out the library area in the back and hire someone else full-time, we need the extra money for it all to be more than a concept. Anderson and I may be good friends, but I pay the same rate as everyone else. Crews is hardworking and always provides top-notch work, which means he is worth every penny. Rubbing circles with my thumbs into my temples, I take a deep breath because that process will be a whole thing. That’s tomorrow’s trouble.
Seeing Jameson last night was also something I didn’t expect, but he was a welcome sight nonetheless. If I hadn’t seen him at the bar I wouldn’t have figured out why bourbon and citrus have been haunting my dreams. Haunt may not be the right word, considering I wake up with the sheets twisted between my thighs and hot with a need I can’t fulfill.
Either way, after missing our chance during our teens, and apparently again when I remodeled Shaken Tropes, it was a mixed connection that I don’t plan on losing out on again. I chuckle to myself at my play on words. Are you even funny if you don’t find yourself hilarious? “I don’t think so,” I say out loud, as I point the hairbrush at the mirror and laugh at myself again.
Spraying my curls with a refresher, I work the product through. I switch on the diffuser and the soft hum starts, tuning out the afrobeats playing over the speakers. I make quick work of drying my curls before putting everything away and heading to the kitchen. Coffee is a must after the night I had.
Slight buzzing pulls my attention and I search the countertop, moving things out of the way or picking up papers. That’s when I notice my cell phone is precariously perched halfway on the granite. Almost tripping over my own feet, I lunge for it and miss it completely as it slips through my fingers and my eyes widen at the thought of breaking yet another phone. Thank God it was plugged into its charger. I ball my fist as my phone slips through my fingers, gripping the charging cord before the device gets a chance to connect with the floor.
Plopping myself up onto the same counter, I finally open the notifications that almost ended the life of mybarelydinged-up device. Rolling my eyes in frustration, I blow out a breath. I am on a mission to make this phone last. It’s my second one since upgrading and Irefuseto break another phone. I rub my thumb on the already cracked screen and click the message, ignoring the thought of maybe ordering myself a new phone.
Jameson
Wanted to be sure I texted you so you wouldn’t think I ran off with my girl.
LOL. The jury is still out on that.
Jameson
Shaken Tropes was really great! I’m glad I got to see you.
Are you free Saturday?
I could be, what do you have in mind?
Jameson
I’d like to take you out.
Not a question, but a statement. Kicking my feet, I lean back and squeal at how direct he is. Finding a man who knows what he wants and isn’t afraid to take the lead—an excited chill races over the surface of my skin—it’s a characteristic I find sexy in every facet of the word. I was so used to being the pursuer and chasing after what or who I wanted, that at some point I stopped trying to date. I wasn’t against going after the person I desired but I wanted it to be reciprocated, to be someone’s first and only choice because they simply chose me.
Where are you thinking?
Maybe lunch?
Almost as though he was sitting waiting for my reply, his response comes instantly.
Jameson
If you want to do lunch, we can do that too. But the place I have in mind is dinner only. *winky face*
