9. Zurmani
A Week Later
It's been a long and tedious week. I'm so happy it's Friday, and I have no plans, so I can stop by the store on the way home to grab a bottle of wine. I want to binge-watch something that isn't going to require me to do anything but get lost in mindless bliss while sipping from my goblet. Between the meetings and issues with one of our department's invoices, I have been running on fumes. Today is the first day I have been able to get everything worked out, but I'm dog-tired. With the crazy week, I haven't been able to go to the hospital to volunteer, which saddens me. Yet, it also allows me to try to break my attachment to the baby. Try is a fluid word because my chest has been aching from the separation, which has only caused me to silently long for a child of my own.
"Don't go down that path, Zurmani," I whisper.
Shutting down my computer, I grab my purse and head toward the door to make my long-awaited exit.
Ding.
My lips twist at the sound of my phone notification because I don't feel like doing anything but following through with my evening agenda. Sighing, I stop to pull my phone from the front compartment of my purse. A sly grin replaces my frown when I see Jawaan's name on my screen. I unlocked my phone and opened my text app before reading the incoming text.
Jawaan:
I'm wondering if you would be up for my taking you on a date. I enjoyed our time last week and would really like to spend more time in your presence. So, what do you say?
My heart accelerates, my mouth waters, and heat dances along my neckline from the words that have my mind returning to our last encounter. I went from fighting my attraction to Jawaan to surrendering to my feelings after spending time at his house. I'm unsure if it was after being protectively held in his arms upon learning he owned a large dog or the butterflies that took flight while seeing the sexy grin he wore while I beat him at Uno. Yet, here I am typing my response even while my hands shake.
Me:
Yes
Brrng. Brrng.
My phone rings in my hand, and Jawaan's name flashes on the screen. My smile stretches the muscles in my face as I answer.
"Hello."
"Damn, you just made the fuck outta my day, Tigress." Jawaan's deep, husky voice warms my body like hot fudge over a sundae.
"Uh—"
"Is tonight good, or would you like to wait until tomorrow? Since I know how you women are, I'm gonna let you choose. Just know you only have tonight or tomorrow because I ain't waiting longer than that to see you."
"Tomorrow. I've got a prior date tonight."
"Nah, tell that ni— see, this is what happens when I try to work with your stubborn, hardheaded ass. Where am I popping up on you and imposter Jawaan tonight?"
The huskiness within Jawaan's deadpan inquiry has the seat of my panties in shreds, and I close my eyes to gather my thoughts.
"Unless Stella Rosa suddenly has an identifier change, you'll only be interrupting my candlelit bubble bath, wine, and tablet."
Silence fills the line, causing my brows to hike. I pull the phone from my ear to see the clock ticking, which lets me know Jawaan hasn't hung up.
"Hel—"
"You're pretty ass is wrong as fuck for that visual, Tigress. I gotta go but call me tonight so you can help me unwind and shit."
"O-okay," I reply, swallowing past the lump in my throat from the shift in Jawaan's tone.
"Aye. Make sure your ass ain't in the tub when you call me, either. Until then, enjoy your night." With that, Jawaan disconnected the call, leaving me to nod despite his inability to see me.
"Wait, how did we go from interrupting conversations to a date request?" Jamaica asks.
"Better than that, you agreed without thinking, so I'm thinking there are lots of missing parts to this story," Evie says.
Despite my need to relax while sipping on wine with candles setting the scene, the memory of Jawaan asking me out had me calling my friends.
"I won't say it's complicated, but it kinda is," I confess, taking a drink of the fruity liquid in my glass before sitting it on the tray in front of me.
"Uncomplicate it for us because I'm confused," Jamaica urges in a tone that brokers no argument.
For the next few minutes, I spill my guts about my encounter with Jawaan the Sunday that I thought I was having dinner with Herschel, spending time with him at his house, and how my feelings for him have begun to change.
"What happened to I'm single until God sends confirmation?" Jamaica teases.
"Girl. You keep asking the wrong questions. I want to know what the King of Kings looks like. Did you get to see the marks from the nails in His hands?" Evie asks.
"I ain't about to play with you, Evie. I have enough to get right with God about. Please leave me alone," I remark, reaching for my glass and taking a healthy drink.
"Mhm. Now you understand why I sparked my blunt when I heard Evie on the line," Jamaica adds.
"Forget y'all," Evie defends.
"Focus, y'all. I called so y'all could give me your opinion about dating this man on the heels of the bullshit I experienced with Aldis," I remind them, sighing.
"Dating? I thought this was just a simple date," Evie says, sounding like she's now speaking through a megaphone.
"Tomato, tom?—"
"Unt-unh. They are not the same, so don't even try it. I want to reserve my opinion on the matter. Matter of fact, let me and Evie come over to help you get ready. Then we'll leave after you two do. I want to feel the nigga's energy before I can see if he's gonna be different than the fuck up with the community dick," Jamaica insists.
"Ooh, yes. We finally agree. I'm totally down with an impromptu introduction," Evie co-signs.
Bzz. Bzz.
"Oh shit! He's calling," I blurt with wide eyes, seeing Jawaan's name on my screen.
"Lord, you done went all school girl crush on us. Why is your voice so high?" Evie teases, laughing.
"Hush. Hold on, I need to tell him I'll call him back since I'm still soaking."
I answer the other line without waiting for Evie or Jamaica to respond. "Hi." My voice is breathy, and I roll my eyes heavenward at the sound subconsciously shifting in the tub.
Splish. Splish.
"Fuck! I ain't think your ass would still be in the tub. Hit me back." Jawaan hangs up without waiting for me to respond and a smirk forms at the hard edge of his tone.
Returning to the call, I hear my friends talking about nothing in particular, and I make my presence known.
"All right. I need to get out of this water so I can shower and get ready for bed," I inform them.
"Mhm. You ain't gotta lie to kick it, bitch. We know you want to talk to that man." Evie laughs.
Mhm. I want to see what has that man so impatient that he's calling me instead of waiting for me to call him first like he asked.
"If you could have one thing, what would it be?"
Biting my bottom lip, I ponder Jawaan's question, and when something pops into my head, I mentally push it down.
A baby.
"What are you thinking over there because you got quiet on me?"
A way to tell God what I desire without petitioning Him in prayer.
"Mm. That's a hard one. What would be your answer?"
"You'll be the first to know if God allows me to get it."
A warm feeling stretches across my chest at Jawaan's statement because his voice is neither void of hesitance nor wavering.
"Hm. What's your love language?" I ask.
"Why is that something women like to know?" Jawaan's low chuckle, accompanied by a wry smile, caused me to double down so he could answer.
"It allows us to meet men on the level that best serves them without fumbling through all of them. So, what is it?"
"Hm. Let me find out you see me in your future. I'm not gonna make this easy for you, though. You're gonna have to figure it out without my assistance."
"That's not fair. How will I know if I'm right?" I ask, pouting.
"God only made women mysterious, so it won't be the challenge you're setting yourself up to believe it'll be."
"Hm. We'll see about that."
"For sure. What's your favorite household chore?"
That's random.
My brows pinch together, and my nose twitches from the strange and foreign question. I have never had anyone ask me, so responding takes me a second.
"Doing laundry. I love the feel of hot clothes or blankets fresh out of the dryer. I also love the smell of clean laundry."
"I can dig that. I enjoy cleaning the bathroom. It's one of the dreaded chores most people despise, but I love to see glistening toilets and bathtubs. That means we'll have to take turns keeping the kitchen clean. Although I'm not opposed to having someone come in weekly or biweekly to dust because that's my least favorite thing to do."
Wait, when did we become we'll?
"Um, why are you talking like we live together or something?"
"Mama Lo told me to learn how to speak those things that be not as though they are, so I'm making my request known because I know God is always listening."
This man.
"What do you have in mind for tomorrow? Is this a casual date where sweats and tennis shoes are necessary, or nah?" I asked to change the subject because I refused to touch the statement.
"Do you own sweats, Zurmani?" Jawaan asks in a gentle tone.
Shaking my head, I smirked before realizing Jawaan couldn't see me, nor could he hear my nod, forcing me to reply verbally.
"No, I don't, actually."
"Then there's your answer, love."
The Next Evening
Oh God, why am I so nervous? I've been on many first dates before. Breathe Zurmani.
Biting my lips, I pace in my walk-in closet while my eyes bounce around the many clothing items I have. Despite Jawaan confirming for me not to wear sweats, I have no clue what I need to put on. My hands begin to sweat and shake with each circle my feet take.
"I know this is your house and all, but why are you stomping around this closet booty hole naked?" Jamaica's voice causes me to stop moving and turn toward her while glowering.
"Whoa. Uh, I know we're friends and everything, but we don't need to see you in all your splendor, girl," Evie joins in, frowning.
Rolling my eyes, I leave the closet to grab my robe since I'm no longer alone, although it doesn't relieve my dilemma.
"What's wrong with you?" Evie questions when I yank my robe from the bed.
Frowning, I wordlessly push my arms through the sleeves before tying the belt to shield my body from my friends.
"I don't know what to wear, but I've been told that it's not a sweatpants and t-shirt kind of date," I inform them.
"You don't own any, so why is that important?" Evie asks, smirking.
"Better yet, what's this energy coming off you? You were excited about this date when we talked yesterday. What's changed today?" Jamaica quizzes, sitting on my bed.
I don't know what to expect, and I like this guy which has me overthinking the specifics.
Hunching my shoulders, I stare at Jamaica before shifting my gaze to Evie, who enters my closet before speaking loud enough for Jamaica and me to hear.
"All these clothes in here and you're stressing for nothing. Ooh, this could work for whatever thug-a-boo has planned for the evening," Evie suggests, causing me to walk to the closet to see what she's talking about.
On the hanger is a brown cardigan, white shirt, and stone-washed jeans I hadn't considered when perusing the many items I have at my disposal.
"Oh yeah, that's cute. You can pair it with those thigh-high brown suede boots and that leopard print clutch," Jamaica adds while co-signing the outfit choice Evie is holding.
The changing temperatures in Ohio make the selection perfect for keeping me comfortable and warm.
"Jeans for a first date, though," I ponder, grabbing the hanger from Evie, who holds it out for me to take.
"Mhm. Without knowing what he has planned, this will be appropriate for whatever," Jamaica insists.
"Besides, this outfit will accentuate your assets and give him something to think about all night," Evie adds.
"Okay. Let me get my hair together and get dressed. I'll be down once I'm ready."
The reminder of Jawaan loving my natural curls motivates me to ensure my hair is full of bounce. With that thought in mind, I smile while closing my bedroom door when Evie and Jamaica leave. Moving to my vanity, I focus on making my curls pop before quickly applying a light beat to my face. Once I'm done, I get dressed, put on some footies, then slip my feet into the boots that complement the outfit. Finally, I put a few necessities in the small handbag, spritz on some perfume, and leave my room.
Ding. Dong.
Looks like I timed that perfectly.
Hearing my doorbell sound when I hit the bottom level, I close my eyes and take a couple of breaths. My chest is pounding, my lips feel dry despite the lip balm I'm wearing, and knots are twisting my stomach like a washing machine. I slightly jump when I feel hands resting on both of my shoulders.
"Breathe," Evie whispers.
"This is just a normal date. There's nothing to panic about," Jamaica quietly reminds me.
Tuh, girl, please. I'm about to go on a date with the man I'm heavily attracted to. This is Jawaan, and tonight is far from a regular date.
Ding. Dong.
Wordlessly, I exhale the air from my lungs while moving to unlock the door, and my pulse beats wildly in my neck. Opening the door, I swallow as my mouth instantly waters at seeing Jawaan standing on my porch.
Good God! This man didn't come to play or half-step tonight.
Jawaan looks like a wet dream with the mahogany color shirt covering his upper body deliciously. The gray pants adorning his lower half have my tongue slowly swiping my lips. Unable to stop myself, I shamelessly search for a print of his package before moving on, taking note of the matching mahogany loafers.
"Are you gonna speak or continue to eye-fuck me?" Jawaan voices, causing my eyes to return to the top.
Heat fills my neck upon seeing the cocky grin on Jawaan's lips and the glow in his eyes. Jawaan's dreads are neat and intricate, allowing me to appreciate the masculine contour of his facial structure. His beard is perfectly trimmed, and not a single hair is wandering out of place.
"H-hi." I stumble over the single word of greeting in a low and breathy tone that I'm unable to mask.
Lord, this man is so dag on handsome. Whew.
Time stands still, and I'm frozen in place while mentally coaching myself to snap out of my trance. Thankfully, my friends come to my rescue by making their presence known.
"We're gonna get out of here, but uh... I'm Evie Reddick, and this is Jamaica Spivey. We're Zurmani's besties."