10 | Simone
Dinner ended on a warm and quiet note. Samaj kept my hand in his as we walked out of the restaurant, his thumb brushing back and forth across my skin.
I wanted to tell him about what I overheard between my aunt and GiGi. About his parents’ history with my family. About the possibility that the man he’s called “Dad” his whole life… might not be.
But every time I opened my mouth, the words backed up in my throat. So, I swallowed the truth for the time being and tried to enjoy the rest of our night.
When we reached the car, instead of opening my door, he turned to me with this shy half-smile.
“It’s still early, do you wanna take a walk?” he asked.
“Yeah, sure,” I said, smiling back. “I’d like that.”
He drove us five minutes down the road to the beach, the night air wrapped around us, cool and salty, carrying the quiet promise of peace.
The moon hung low, glowing like one of God’s lanterns suspended in the sky, casting silver paths across the water that shimmered with every gentle shift.
The waves rolled in slowly and steadily, each one sounding like a soft breath from the Creator Himself.
The beach would always hold a special place in my heart.
It was one of my parents’ favorite places to bring me.
We walked along the beach and then he led me to the pier hand in hand. “I, uh…” he started, clearing his throat. “I feel at peace when I’m around you.”
“Really?” I glanced over at him.
“Yeah.” He looked straight ahead, eyes soft. “I don’t think I realized how much I was carrying until I said it out loud to you.”
My chest squeezed. “I’m glad you told me. Really.”
He nodded, then looked at me with this careful, tender expression that made my stomach flip.
“I trust you, and that’s a big deal for me.”
I felt that deep in my soul. Who would’ve thought the closed-off, quiet guy I had shared a class with and seen around campus for months would be this open and vulnerable with me?
I should’ve mentioned the conversation with GiGi. I should’ve told him everything before it got harder. But instead, I replied, “I trust you too.”
He stuffed his hands into his jacket pockets, suddenly looking nervous. “I keep thinking about what you said earlier,” he murmured.
“What did I say?”
“That thing… about it being a blessing to get a job in my career field before graduating. I’m going to take the job in Union Heights, but I also want to make the long-distance thing work between us.” He stepped closer, slow, giving me time to pull away if I wanted to. I didn’t.
“I don’t know what this is yet,” he said softly. “I’ve never felt like this before. The way I feel when I’m with you is peaceful. Like I can breathe for real.”
My heartbeat felt so loud I was sure he could hear it.
“And I’m not trying to rush anything,” he added. “But I just want to be clear. I want to be more than just your friend.”
“I want the same.”
He leaned slowly, like he was asking permission, and I answered by tilting my chin up. Our lips brushed once—soft and careful before he gently pulled me in for a real kiss.
It was gentle. Not rushed. Just…perfect.
When we finally pulled apart, our breaths mingled. I opened my eyes to see him looking at me like I was the only thing in his view.
“I’ve been wanting to do that for a minute,” he whispered.
I smiled. “Me too.” Unable to resist the urge I looked him in the eyes, “I think you should do it again.”
The corner of his mouth lifted before he shook his head slightly, almost like he couldn’t believe I just said that.
“Yeah?”
I nodded and without hesitation, his hand slid gently along my jaw as his mouth found mine again.
Still soft but even more passionate than before. The butterflies in my stomach were working overtime.
I was still breathless when we walked back to his car, fingers brushing, hearts racing like we both knew things had shifted for real this time. He opened my door for me, but before I could get in, he stopped, rubbing the back of his neck like he was suddenly nervous again.
“You remember when I said I told my mom about you?”
“Yeah?” I smiled, still floating.
“Well, she wants to meet you. If you’re up to it.” His eyes softened. “My parents are still going through their own thing right now, but it would mean a lot to me if ya’ll met.”
I froze. Not in a bad way, just a little surprised. Meeting someone’s parents wasn’t small. It wasn’t casual.
“You sure?” I asked.
He nodded. “Yeah, but only if you want to. It’s no rush seriously.”
Warmth spread through my whole chest. I bit my lip to keep from smiling too wide.
“Okay,” I whispered. “I’d like that.”
His whole face relaxed with relief.
And the rest of the drive was quiet in the best possible way. He held my hand the entire ride and we simply soaked in the moment while listening to R&B softly play in the background.
Later That Night
I sent a text in our group chat, but the girls insisted on a FaceTime call instead.
“Okay, you know the drill.” Nikki said, squinting at me like she was a detective. “Spill. All of it. Right. Now!”
I sank deeper into my comforter. “Y’all, tonight was… whew.”
“Whew?” Emaree repeated. “What does whew mean? Is it a good whew or bad whew?”
“It’s a very good whew.” I grinned.
“We had a serious conversation about his family, about the future, and then we walked on the beach… It was really sweet and romantic. He was so open and vulnerable with me tonight.”
“And?” Nikki leaned closer. “Do not play with me, Simone.”
I exhaled, cheeks burning. “We kissed.”
Both of them screamed. Nikki fell onto the floor like she’d been shot. “That reaction was very valid.” Emaree exclaimed.
“Why didn’t you start with THAT?!” Nikki yelled as she got up off the floor.
I laughed, covering my face again. “I’m still processing the whole thing!”
“Okay, okay,” Emaree said. “We’re going to need you to describe the kiss. In detail. Don’t skip anything.”
“It felt like… sex.” I said bashfully.
“Excuse me! Do tell.” E squealed.
“It was perfect,” I said softly. “Not rushed. Not awkward. He was… gentle. And intentional. Like he wanted it to be special.”
“Damnnn.” Nikki said, fanning herself. “You about to make me re-download this dating app.”
“Girl, don’t do it. Take it from me.” Emaree said.
I snorted. “Y’all are ridiculous.”
“So, what now?” Nikki asked. “Is he your man, or is he still on probation?”
I laughed again. “We’re officially more than friends. He even asked me to meet his parents.”
Their jaws dropped.
“Oh, he’s locking you down. Should I start making wedding invites?” Emaree said.
Nikki pointed at me dramatically. “Simone, this is serious. If he's showing you this side of him that means he’s all in.”
“Yeah,” I murmured. “Maybe.”
But then the smile slowly faded from my face. Because it was time to bring up the part that wasn’t as pretty.
“I need some advice. I found out something. Something big. About his family.” I said, biting my fingernail.
They both sat up straighter immediately.
“What kind of big?” Nikki asked, her voice filled with curiosity.
“Something involving his parents that could change everything for him.”
They were my girls, but I didn’t want to share everything I had heard. Part of me wanted to protect him, and if I did share this information, I needed to share it with him first.
Nikki’s eyes widened. Emaree’s hand flew to her mouth.
“Oh my gosh are they criminals?”
“What? Girl, no!”
“Ohk good. My bad. I just got done watching Law & Order.”
“It’s nothing like that but I don’t know if I should tell him what I found out,” I continued, voice tight. “I don’t want to break his trust or hurt him. Things are finally good. But I don’t want to keep this from him either. It feels wrong.”
“Mm… I don’t know Simone, maybe you should just let things play out how they will. No sense in rocking the boat when things are going so good between ya’ll. His family issues should be handled between him and his people.” Nikki said.
Emaree disagreed. “No, you have to tell him. No matter how hurt he might be, you have to be honest with him. Think about if it was the other way around. Wouldn’t you want him to tell you?”
“I just…” My voice cracked. “I don’t want to hurt him though.”
“I still don’t think you should say anything. All it’s going to do is throw a wrench into what ya’ll just started building.”
“I can’t tell you what to do at the end of the day it’s your decision, but if you care about him like I know you do then my vote is to be honest with him. The truth doesn’t get lighter the longer you hold it. Tell him when the time is right, just don’t take too long.”
I nodded, exhaling shakily.
“Okay,” I whispered.
One week later
I changed my outfit for the third time. Tonight was the first time I would be meeting Samaj’s parents, and I was overthinking about what to wear. The thought alone made my stomach flip.
I finally settled on an outfit I deemed “Bring-home- to-yo-mama” worthy, a flowy, ruffled A-line white baby doll dress, and some nude sandals and matching cross body purse.
I decided to meet him there since I wanted to stop by the store and pick up a few things. Samaj assured me that I didn’t need to bring a dish, but I was always taught never to show up to someone’s home empty-handed.
I wasn’t confident enough to cook and GiGi had been visiting the nursing home with some other members of our church's prayer team all morning, so I didn’t want to add more to her plate.
After stopping at the grocery store, I grabbed some flowers, a bottle of wine and a fruit platter before heading to Samaj’s parents’ home.
Samaj was waiting outside for me when I pulled up behind his car. He opened my door looking and smelling amazing in his white designer T-shirt and long khaki pants. I loved the way our outfits just happened to complement each other. He gave me a kiss on the cheek before asking, “you ready?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
On the drive over, my nerves buzzed through me so loud I could barely hear the radio. Part of me was excited. This felt like a step. A real step in the right direction.
And the other part of me?
Terrified.