Chapter 7
there are no wrong answers
Rodney
wednesday
I’m anxious to review her responses and hope none of the questions made her uncomfortable. They’re thorough and can feel invasive, but she doesn’t have to share anything she isn’t ready to. I’d just like to know how to show up in the ways she needs me to.
Me:
That’s my good girl.
I’ll look through everything and let you know if I have any questions.
Emmy:
I feel like I’m waiting to hear back from a job interview lol
Me:
I don’t want you to feel this way. There are no wrong answers, mama.
How can I make you more comfortable?
Emmy:
I wish I knew lol
Me:
Are you busy at the moment? Can you talk?
Emmy:
Yeah, I’m just between meetings.
My thumb hovers over her contact, taking a deep breath as I tap the call button. Thoughts arise that I am doing too much and may be scaring her off before we’ve even begun, but I hope that’s not the case.
When her velvety voice greets me on the other line, I freeze. The sudden nervousness around her is new to me and I don’t understand it. It’ll be my luck that my nerves deter her and she chooses someone else to help her fulfill her fantasies.
Speak, bruh. Do not fuck this up.
“Hello? Rodney? Are you there?”
“Uh, yeah. I’m here. Sorry about that. My earbuds didn’t connect,” I lie, hoping it was a good save.
“You’re good. How’s your day going? Tell me what it’s like doing corporate law,” she says, urging me to push the conversation forward.
“It’s been a good day. Quiet. I’ve been doing research and drafting a contract for a new client. It’s boring, but I love this shit,” I admit. “What about you, Ms. Wedding Planner?”
“Nothing that you are passionate about could ever be boring,” she says softly. “As for me, I’m having a good day. Been in a lot of meetings and am just catching my breath right now.
“I didn’t mean to interrupt your downtime. I can call b—”
“No, I want to talk to you. Unless you’re in a hurry to hang up,” she says, cutting me off.
Usually I’d discuss that I don’t want for us to interrupt each other,
but in this instance, I’ll allow it.
She wants to talk to me.
“Never that,” I blurt, clearing my throat. “I was thinking it may make you feel better if we talked as I reviewed your answers. Is that okay?”
“Um, yeah. That’s fine by me,” she says with a nervous chuckle.
“Alright then. There’s nothing to be shy about with me. I got you,” I assure.
“Easy for you to say,
I pull up her answers and sift through them, humming to myself as I read along.
“What you eating?”
“Damn, nosy.”
“I know you ain’t talkin’,” I joke. She laughs in response and it feels like a reward.
She’s giggling for me. Bet.
“Anyways, It’s Bokbunja. Audrey got a secret candy stash in her office and I borrowed a handful. I don’t know where she gets this Korean candy from, but it’s so good!” she shares, keeping her voice low.
Note to self: look up Bokbunja and get her some of her own so that Audrey doesn’t kill her.
“You know that girl don’t play about her sweets. Watch out,” I warn.
“What she doesn’t know won’t hurt her.”
My eyebrows raise in surprise at some of her responses as I near the end of the list. This woman manages to shock me at every turn. Goddamn.
“Hmm. There’s a lot of fours and fives on here. Looks like you and I are going to have a damn good time. Whenever you’re ready, baby,” I tease.
“Mmhm. Keep reading and hush.”
“Ohhh. You look forward to us getting better acquainted, huh? Shit, me too.”
“Shut up. I didn’t know what else to say.” She cackles. “Did I pass?”
“With flying colors, Emerald. Like I knew you would. Feel better now?”
“I do. That wasn’t so bad.”
“It feels good when you trust me. I’m gonna let you get back to work...and I appreciate you letting me know how you sound with your mouth full.”
She gasps. “I’ll talk to you later, Rodney. Enjoy the rest of your day.”
“Looking forward to it, mama,” I say before the line disconnects.