Chapter 6
No matter how hard I tried to busy my thoughts with other patients, my mind kept going back to Jabari.
I was behind the nurses’ desk, checking emails and charting, when I heard JaBria’s little voice coming up the hall, running a mile a minute.
I knew the three of them would have to walk past the nurses’ station, so I pretended not to see them as they approached.
I could smell Gloria’s sweet, mature perfume as she got closer.
“Amina, baby, we’re gone for the day,” she informed me.
I looked up and smiled, trying to act surprised.
“I didn’t even see y’all.”
I stood to my feet and came from around the desk. JaBria waved at me, and I squatted down to her level.
“Feeling better?”
She nodded.
“Use your words, JaBria,” Jabari instructed.
My body heated knowing he was back close to me.
“Yes, ma’am,” JaBria said. “I feel better.”
“I’m so happy to hear that.”
“Gloria, how are you feeling?” I asked, standing up to make eye contact.
She sighed. “The doctors noticed a small spot on my other breast. It’s looking like they want to do a biopsy soon.” She looked defeated.
“Gloria...”
“I’ve been down this rabbit hole before. I know what’s coming, so I’m just preparing myself for it.”
“No, ma’am, we’re going to be positive. We’re going to take things slow and have a positive outlook on all of this. You understand?” I grabbed her hand and squeezed it.
Her eyes watered as she tried to smile, but she didn’t let the tears fall. “You’re right. I’m just getting in my head. I came in here with a positive outlook on this, so I need to remain positive.”
“That’s the Gloria I know!” I tapped her hand.
“Thank you, Amina. You’re truly something special. As a matter of fact, here, let me get your number. After all these years, I’d never had your number. I couldn’t even send you a birthday text or anything.”
I laughed, but I didn’t hesitate to give Gloria my number, because she was right. After how close we’ve gotten over the past few years, the least we could have is each other’s numbers. I programmed my number into her phone and passed it back to her.
“Now, y’all get on out of here, and I’ll see you later.”
She nodded. “Yep. Jabari is taking his girls out to lunch. I can’t wait because I’m starving. I would invite you, but I’m sure you have more shifts left. Unless...” She grinned.
I laughed. “Don’t start, Gloria.”
I looked over at Jabari, and he stared at Gloria and me. I expected him to be on his phone, not paying us any attention. I glanced away and back at Gloria. She had a silly grin on her face.
“Son, come tell Amina goodbye so we can head out of here and she can get back to work.”
Jabari stepped from behind Gloria and held out his hand. I placed my hand in his. Electricity shot through me. My tiny hand fit perfectly in his big, warm, soft hand.
“It was nice meeting you, Amina.”
“You too. It’s great to finally put a face to a name after hearing so much about you.”
He nodded. “I can definitely say the same.”
I looked at Gloria, and she innocently shrugged. I shook my head at her and returned my attention to Jabari.
“Y’all enjoy your lunch. Make sure you change her bandage and replace it with a clean one, but not before you clean it.”
“I got you. Again, I appreciate all that back there too.”
I fanned him off. “Anytime.”
We stared at each other, and to me it felt as if everything had disappeared from around us, and it was just Jabari and me standing there. I hadn’t realized we were still holding hands until Gloria’s speaking caused me to drop his hand.
“Sure you can’t go to lunch with us?” Gloria asked.
“I’m sure, but I promise I will try to go with y’all one day.”
“I’m going to hold you to your word. Come on, JaBria.” She grabbed JaBria’s hand as they walked toward the elevators. Jabari remained there, staring at me.
“I think your girls are leaving you,” I commented.
“Damn, I hadn’t realized they had walked away yet.” Jabari’s eyes went from the top of my body to the bottom. I tried my best not to shudder as he looked at me. “I do hope you use my number, you know, so that you can keep your promise to my mama and JaBria.”
“I-I will.”
“Aite. Well, I’ll let you get back to your nurse stuff.” He smiled and bit his lip. “Have a good day, Amina.”
“You too.”
I quickly spun on my heels, walking in the opposite direction, unsure of where I was going, but I needed to be out of this man’s space.
He had me ready to walk out of my shift and take a write-up just to be with him.
Jabari oozed boss and business, which turned me on.
I prayed, hoping I could make it through the shift without thinking about him every second, every minute, but at this rate, I had little hope.
I laid in bed with my window open and blinds pulled back, listening to the thunderstorm wreak havoc across the city.
The sound of the rain and thunder relaxed me, along with the slight breeze coming through my window.
After work, I went home and immediately prepared for the next day.
I wasn’t sure if the storm would cause a power outage, so I wanted to make sure I had done everything I needed to do.
Once I finished, I’d been lying in bed since.
While in bed, I thought about Jabari the entire time.
Even when I tried to force myself not to, I failed.
Temptation won in the current moment, and I wanted to call him.
Being a true Cancer, I wanted to experience a relationship with a man who was focused on his business yet also on his woman and family.
But here I was, letting a man who probably wasn’t interested in a girl like me take over my thoughts.
I felt as if Jabari saw me as his little sister since Gloria talked about me so much.
Plus, he looked like the type of guy who liked women that had a certain look.
Not a short, thick woman who barely bothered putting on lip gloss.
There was no doubt in my mind that Jabari had women falling at his feet.
He was a handsome entrepreneur who worked hard and was on the road to success. On paper, Jabari was ideal.
Even with all of that, my finger still hovered over his contact information.
I wanted to call and cake on the phone while the thunder played in the background, with the room being lit up by lightning.
I wanted to cuddle in his arms and pretend to be scared, just so he could baby me and hold me tight.
Then there was that part of me that wanted him to come over and remind me what dick felt like.
Even though my mind and heart were torn, I reminded myself that now wasn’t the best time to try entertaining a man.
I knew the best thing would be to focus on myself and my job.
The rest would hopefully fall into place.
So instead of calling Jabari, I put my phone down, reached over to my bedside table, and removed my vibrator from the drawer.
I turned on its highest speed and sent myself into orgasmic bliss.
Right as I finished pleasing myself, I fell asleep.
I wasn’t sure how long I’d been sleeping, but I was woken up by my phone ringing. I checked to see who was calling, and it was Danita.
“Hello?”
“Girl, it’s storming bad as hell. Are you okay over there?”
“I’m good. You know I love this type of weather. I sleep peacefully during thunderstorms.”
“Oh yeah, I forgot you’re weird as hell.”
I laughed. “Whatever. How was your day? You good over there?”
“It was good. I’m doing okay. I just wish I had me a little man to be laid up under right now!”
I sucked my teeth. “Really, Nita?”
“Yes, really! Shit, I bet you wish the same. Anyway, how was your day?”
I wouldn’t dare tell Danita she was right.
“I met Gloria’s son for the first time today.”
“Is he fine, or did she hype him up for no reason?”
“Girl, he is gorgeous! We even exchanged numbers. Gloria invited me to lunch with them. I declined, but I promised both of them I would join them one day.”
“Have you texted or called him yet?” she asked.
“No. I want to, but Danita, I have too much shit going on. Personally, I don’t think I have the bandwidth to entertain anyone.”
“Girl, call that man! I’m sure he’s waiting for you to call him. Shit, I probably would’ve gone to lunch with them.”
“And lose my job? Come on now. That makes no damn sense.”
“Makes sense to me. There’s nothing wrong with getting to know someone and exploring their interests.
You’re not accepting a marriage proposal.
You can start as friends and build it up from there if it goes that route.
Clearly, Gloria’s been mentioning you, and he’s curious as well.
Don’t miss out on a friend... or a man.” She giggled.
“He is too glued to his phone. He probably was texting multiple women while there. His daughter ended up falling out of her chair and hurting her knee. If he’d been paying any attention, that could’ve been avoided.”
Danita sucked her teeth. “You’re reaching. Didn’t you say he’s opening a restaurant? Did he take accountability for the child getting hurt?”
“Yeah—”
“He took accountability for it. Don’t crucify him for that. We all fuck up sometimes.”
I thought about what Danita said, and she was right, per usual.
“What if he has a girlfriend? I don’t want to break anything up.”
“You wouldn’t know if you don’t talk to him. What’s the worst that can happen? You don’t get answers unless you ask, baby sis.”
The thunder rumbled louder and shook my house. It must have done the same for Danita ’cause I heard her yelp.
“Let us get off this phone before we get struck by lightning. Remember what I said. Reach out to that man. I love you. Be careful.”
“Love you.”
We ended the call, and I fell back onto the pillow.
Danita’s words echoed in my head. She was right.
It wouldn’t hurt to get to know Jabari more.
The worst that could happen would be finding out he is in a relationship.
Then again, we don’t have any emotional ties, so it wouldn’t bother me.
I made a mental note to call Jabari soon, but tonight, I was going to rest my eyes during the storm.