Chapter 11
I was way too easy. Stone wasn’t even halfway through his apology run before I’d made up my mind to forgive him. Any man who kept up with me for a whole five miles, when I knew for a fact he didn’t run, was definitely worthy of being forgiven.
I wore the smile he’d left me with all day and made it home from work to yet another bouquet of roses sitting on my doorstep.
Stone had asked to be unblocked after our run this morning, but I hadn’t thought to do it until I saw the roses.
Flowers were scattered throughout my whole house at this point because I’d kept every bouquet he sent.
Seeing Stone’s effort and replaying the things Aniya said the other day had me searching my phone for his contact as soon as I plopped down on my living room couch.
After listening to both of them, I understood how I may have overstepped my boundaries.
Stone was facing a lot of new challenges. I had to meet him where he was.
When I found his name, I unblocked the number and shot him a quick text.
Shanet:
Thanks for the flowers
I wasn’t expecting a quick reply, so I immediately put the phone on the table and got up to put away my things. Before I could set my bag on the counter, I heard a ding. You would have thought I was an Olympic gold medalist the way I sprinted back to that living room.
Stone:
Anything for you gorgeous.
I never recognized myself as a girl who tripped over a man’s every word, but Stone had a way with his.
He didn’t speak often, so when he did, his words meant something.
Everything about him was not only careful but smooth.
Aside from how he spoke to me at the school, everything he said had intention behind it.
Stone:
You want to go out with me tonight?
Shanet:
What’d you have in mind?
Stone:
Nothing too big. One of my old Army buddies is opening up a cigar lounge. I thought we could go check it out together.
Shanet:
Oh, that sounds cool. I didn’t know you had any friends.
Stone:
You the only person that insist on acting like you don’t like me. It’s okay. I’m about to change that.
Shanet:
We’ll see how hard you work for it.
Stone:
Oh, I’m a hard worker. I don’t mind rolling up my sleeves. See you tonight. Pick you up at seven thirty.
Shanet:
Okay, I’ll be ready.
Since Stone was picking me up at seven thirty, I really only had an hour and a half to get dressed.
I went straight into my room and picked out something to wear.
I wanted it to be cute, sexy, but not too revealing.
I wanted to turn heads, but I didn’t want Stone acting a fool.
Something about him told me he didn’t have a problem with that at all.
I pulled out a little black silk dress and some strappy heels that would show my white-painted toes, and then I started to contemplate how I would wear my hair.
I walked over to my mirror to see how bad my lace and edges were.
My lace was still laid, and all I had to do was refresh my edges after my shower.
I reached under my sink and pulled out the basket that held my rollers. Then I started to roll my hair one small piece at a time. I knew if I rolled my hair now, I could leave them in for an hour or so to make sure my curls were as bouncy as they could be.
I’d worn these all day, and they were still hanging tight, but this felt like my first time really dressing up for Stone.
I wanted everything about my look to pop.
I wanted him to see me as the sexy woman I was and not the girl he saw when he came to the group home or the one he saw on our run this morning.
Stone needed to know that I could switch it up and look good in workout clothes and even better in going-out clothes.
I was a little nervous about going to one of his homeboys’ businesses. Essentially, he was asking me to meet his friends before asking me to be his girlfriend. Not that I was expecting him to ask me to be his girlfriend, but still.
On the other hand, I was happy I could meet some of his friends.
Maybe then I could get a glimpse into just who this man was.
Knowing even bits and pieces of him would feel better than knowing nothing at all.
Stone hadn’t told me more than three facts about himself, so being invited to his friend’s opening felt like a mile compared to the inch I’d been getting.
Seven thirty came a lot faster than I anticipated. I had showered, gotten dressed, pulled the rollers out, and slicked down my edges. I looked good as hell.
Stone shot me a text to let me know he was outside. I was expecting him to wait in the car, but it wasn’t long before I heard knocks on the door. I didn’t keep him waiting long. When I swung the door open, my eyes immediately went to the small bag in his hands.
“For you.”
He handed me the bag, and I took it. I stepped to the side so he could come in, then handed him my purse so I could focus on my gift. I rummaged through the bag and quickly pulled out a small box. It was a tennis bracelet from Zales.
“Me and Sakani was in the mall the other day, and I thought of you. It’s just something small I thought you would like.”
“You thought about me while you were out shopping with Sakani?”
“I always think about you when I’m out with Sakani. That lil’ nigga find a way to bring you up in every conversation. He might be a little obsessed.”
“Well, that makes two of you.” We both laughed.
“Come on, let’s go.”
“Wait. Can you put it on for me first?”
I waited patiently as Stone snapped the bracelet around my wrist. I held it up to admire it for a second, and it was perfect. “It’s beautiful, Stone. Thank you.”
I leaned in and kissed Stone on the cheek before he grabbed my hand and led me out the door.
The drive to the cigar lounge was short because we only made it through about two songs before we pulled into the packed parking lot.
If I had to judge from the outside alone, I would say his opening night was definitely a success.
I gave Stone my hand as he opened the car door and helped me out. He tucked my arm in his as he led the way into the lounge. I fell in step behind him as we walked in.
I should have told Stone I hated the smell of smoke, but I almost forgot myself until we walked into the dimly lit space. There was soft R&B playing, which gave a grown and sexy vibe. The packed parking lot was a direct reflection of the inside.
Stone had to hold me closer to his side as we were led to our section.
Even a little space between us would have caused us to be separated.
We were escorted up to the section with only the owner, the woman he had on his lap, and three other couples.
Stone dapped up his friends before introducing me.
“Nice to meet you, Shanet.”
The owner, whose name was David, stood and shook my hand first, and the others did the same. The night was a good vibe, but I was still happy when it was time to leave. I didn’t want my hair to smell like smoke for days.