“Yeah, really.
“Bain, you haven’t dated a girl in months. If you’re spending your time with one now and getting back into basketball, something has happened.”
“Time’s up, Renee,” I faintly hear a woman in the background say.
“I gotta go, sweetie. You should bring her down here. I wanna meet this girl.”
“We’ll see. Goodbye, Mom. I love you.”
“Love you, son. Bye,” she says and we hang up.
Not only hearing my mom’s voice, but hearing her in such good spirits, makes today one of the best days I’ve had in a long time – a really, really long time.
“Do you want another glass of wine?” Anthony asks me.
“Are you trying to get me drunk?”
“Never,” he says pouring me another glass without waiting for my response. I smirk at him, sipping on the deliciousness that he’s serving me.
“What is this?”
“It’s a Pink Moscato. You like it?”
“I love it.”
“Good. So tell me, what are your goals after you graduate?”
Staring into the corner of the room, I contemplate his question. What are my goals after I graduate?
“I really don’t know. Jesus, that sounds horrible. I don’t have a plan for my life yet.”
“It’s not horrible; you’re young. I felt that way at one point too, but I discovered that I had a talent and I could share that with emerging photographers like you. What do you like to photograph?”
“Don’t laugh, okay?”
“Never, this is your life we’re talking about.”
“Sports. My brother plays basketball and I love taking pictures at his games. It honestly doesn’t matter the sport though, just catching the action in the moment is amazing.”
“I love it.”
“Starbucks, this is Arion.”
“Hey, you’re still working.”
“Uhhh, yeah,” I respond in a sharp tone.
“I’ve been trying to get a hold of you on your cell phone.” Suddenly I recognize the voice. It’s Bain on the other end and my insides calm. Hearing him worried about me makes all the stress of this crazy day wash away.
“Sorry, I didn’t recognize your voice. It’s crazy loud in here. I didn’t charge my phone last night because someone kept me out all night. So it…ummm…died.” I keep counting the money in the register and almost come undone with his next comment.
“You won’t need your phone tonight either.”
“Why is that?”
“You’ll see. What time are you leaving?”
Glancing at the clock it’s 8:46pm. We close at ten and it’s already slowed down. “I think I’ll leave around nine.”
“Cool. See you soon, then,” he responds and hangs up.
There’s an unfamiliar excited tone to his voice, something that I’m not used to, but I like it. Knowing that it’s not long ’til I see Bain, I wrap up the deposit, ever so thankful that it’s not busy anymore.
“What’s up with the smile?” Sasha asks me as I come out of the office.
“What do you mean?” I look at her with a scowl on my face. “I’ve been smiling all day.”
“Haaahhh!” she blurts out, causing a few customers to look in our direction.
“You are such a bag. We we’re busy today and I was stressed, okay? I’m leaving now, since I was off, I don’t know, four hours ago.”
“You do that,” she quips back. “And make sure you keep that smile with you.”
“Suck it, bag.” I rip my apron off jokingly and snatch my purse before exiting.
“What’s a bag?” she questions as I push the door open with my back. I point at her and she just shakes her head.
The fresh air feels amazing, like my lungs have been deprived all day. Sparking up a cigarette, I hop in my car, pull out of the lot, and speed to see Bain. I know he didn’t say he would be there, but I know he will. That’s just how he is, and sure enough, as I pull up in front of my apartment, there he is. Backed into a parking spot, messy hair and light eyes gleaming at me. He’s got my signature smirk plastered on his face as I pull up next to him.
Flicking my cigarette out, I pop a piece of gum and exit. My stomach is a mess, a mix of butterflies and adrenaline, so new and different than when I was with Nate.
“You need to quit smoking,” he says.
I can’t help but laugh at him.
“I mean it, A.”
“Fine, I’ll think about it,” I respond, glancing at him as he pulls me tightly to him. I don’t get very long to look into those eyes because he quickly nuzzles himself into my neck. “God, you smell good.”
“I smell like coffee.”
Shaking his head he says, “Not right here.” And nuzzles my neck again.
I hold him tight, loving how even when I feel gross, he makes me feel so sexy. “Come on. Let’s head in, so you can change.”
“Do you really think I need to change, or can I just get naked?”
He looks up, like he is contemplating what I’m saying. “Fine. Naked.”