26 | Simone #2
I let her in and while she got her station set up in the living room, I scattered rose petals and LED candles from the front door leading to the massage table. After pulling the blackout curtains shut, I turned on some soaking music, creating a quiet, peaceful space just for him.
Lastly, because notes had become our thing I set a handwritten note on the kitchen counter and next to that I placed a framed picture that we took the last time we were together.
I went back downstairs to get him, while Kadeem and Emaree went off to do their own thing. When we got into the elevator, I blindfolded him and guided him the rest of the way.
“Simone…don’t have me bumping into stuff.” he stammered.
“I’m not. Just trust me.” I said holding his hand and leading him to his unit.
His reaction when he realized what I’d planned made every bit of effort worth it.
“Surprise!” He stood there not saying anything at first. The way his chest was moving I could tell he was overcome with emotion. He smiled at me.
“This is Amara, she’s going to give you the best full body massage you ever had. I thought this would be the perfect way to give your body some TLC after all the work outs and the marathon you ran today.”
“Wow. I’ve never had anyone do something like this for me.” He looked at me with love and appreciation in his eyes.
“Thank you.”
“You deserve it.” I replied, kissing him on the cheek.
He went to shower, got his massage, and then soaked in the bath while I baked his favorite dessert—oatmeal cookies.
Instacart had already delivered everything I needed.
I wasn’t a chef by any means, but I have become a lot more comfortable in the kitchen these days.
It surprisingly has become a little hobby of mine.
He walked into the kitchen just as the dessert was cooling on the counter, he pulled me into his arms. “You are amazing, you know that right,” he said softly. “I love you beyond words.”
“I love you too.”
We sat on his balcony and ate together and talked for a couple of hours. Just enjoying our quality time together.
“One out of ten, what do you rate my cookies. And be honest.”
He licked his fingers. “They’re the best Oatmeal cookies I ever had. Real talk.”
Our conversations went from casual to more serious topics.
He told me about us starting pre-marital counseling soon, about him moving back to Florida once his lease was up and his plans to work with his dad.
He asked me what I wanted the next six months to a year to look like for myself and for us and I shared with him the things on my heart and how I loved the way he was leading me.
I was at peace hearing him lay out his plans because I knew he was seeking God concerning us and our future and not just going with the flow.
Something about a man with a plan made it easy for me to enjoy the journey that we were on. It was like Samaj was driving but God gave him the directions, and I was just chilling in the passenger seat enjoying the ride. When I got back to the Hotel later that evening I slept like a baby.
The next day Emaree and I ordered room service and spent the morning having girl talk over breakfast while the guys went to check out the hotel gym.
“Girl, thanks for letting me tag along for this trip. I know you and Samaj need your quality time together. I hope it doesn’t feel like Kadeem, and I are interfering with that. ”
“No, not at all. I’m glad that you were both able to come.
It was honestly Samaj’s idea. He said we need to try to be in group settings more than one on one.
It’s a way to keep us from falling into temptation.
We don’t even talk on the phone after 9:30 p.m. anymore and I admire his discipline because I don’t always have it as much as he does and I’m the one who’s been walking with God longer.
That just goes to show you that God will literally give you exactly what you need when you need it.
“He ain’t playing about your relationship this time around at all. I love that for you.”
“It’s an answered prayer. I never told you this, but the night before Samaj broke up with me, I had a dream that we were getting married.
It felt so real. It was a small intimate ceremony on the beach and the only part I can really remember was him reading his vows to me.
I even wrote the dream down on my phone. ”
I showed her the note that was saved on my phone detailing what I recalled from the dream.
“Wow. So, God basically showed you he was your husband.”
“Yeah, he’s given me a couple of signs so imagine my surprise when he broke up with me less than twenty-four hours later.
My head was all messed up after that. I felt like maybe that dream was just me and my imagination, but deep down in my heart I felt like he was my person so I would pray for him often while trying to focus on myself and my own self-love journey.
I’m glad things went the way they did. I don’t think we would be here if it hadn’t. We both needed those six months apart.”
“I’m happy for you both. I can see how much he loves and cares for you. I have no doubt that he will be a great husband, and you deserve that.”
“Thanks girl. So, tell me how things are with Donovan?”
“It’s going good,” she said though her tone lacked the excitement I expected.
“Just good? It’s been about two and half months, right?”
“Yeah. I mean I don’t know what to say. He works a lot, so when we do spend time together it’s us hanging out at his house most of the time unlike in the very beginning, we were out on dates all the time.
I was around him and his friends two weekends ago.
He had a game night at the house that he didn’t even tell me about until the last second.
I met his close friends for the first time, and everyone seemed so accomplished and put together.
I felt really out of place.” She poured herself some orange juice from the carafe.
“I’ve never thought of myself as insecure, but I haven’t been able to land a job in my career field yet and I’m still living with my mom so I just...I don’t know. I guess I thought things would look a little different for me at this point in my life.”
“I think you’re being a little too hard on yourself.
A lot of people don’t secure a job in their career field right away.
It doesn't take away from your accomplishment of graduating and getting your degree. You’ve always been so smart and talented.
I don’t know anyone who can say they have done as much as you have in your life and you’ve been really good at everything.
Maybe what you need to be doing isn’t directly connected with your degree.
Maybe God wants to lead you down a different path. ”
Emaree had been a part of everything you could think of as a kid from cheer, dance, gymnastics, karate, broadcast and journalism club and more. She was the girl that could do it all.
“I did a lot of that stuff because my mom wanted to keep us busy since she knew she wouldn’t be around.
I thought if I did good she would be proud of me and want to support me.
Especially when it came to dance since I found out she used to dance back in high school, but it didn’t matter what I did she never showed up for me or Emon.
Emon doesn’t care though. He gave up the fairy tale ending a long time ago.
I wish I could turn off my desire for my mom’s love and acceptance the way he did. ”
I was surprised to see Emaree’s eyes well up with tears. I quickly got up from my seat and pulled her up into a hug.
“E, I’m so sorry. I hate that you’ve been feeling like this. Even if your mom never shows up and gives you the kind of love you desire, I believe she loves you in the only way she knows how right now.” I grabbed a napkin to help her dry her eyes.
“Her issues have nothing to do with you, and it doesn’t change the fact that you’re becoming an amazing young woman with so much to be proud of.”
“I hear you Simone, I really do, but I just don’t feel that way.”
We were interrupted by the knock on the door. When I opened it, Kadeem and Samaj were on the other side.
“Morning, how was the gym?” I asked Samaj when he came in for a hug.
“It was decent, I think the one at my apartment is better though.”
“Hey Sunshine, what’s wrong with you? You've been crying?” I heard Kadeem behind me question Emaree.
“I’m fine.” She snapped before going into the bathroom and closing the door.
Both guys looked at me for answers. “Just give her a minute.”
“Alright we’ll wait for ya’ll downstairs.” Samaj suggested. Kadeem followed him out of the door pausing before he left.
“Anything I can do to help her?” His voice was laced with concern. “Or anyone I need to beat up?”
I couldn’t help but smile. Knowing he was dead serious. I truly didn’t understand the dynamic of Kadeem and Emaree’s friendship/relationship, but one thing I knew for sure was that he genuinely cared for her.
“There’s no one to beat up. We just had a little therapy moment that’s all…”
“Yeah, well I still might fight Jonathan when I see him.” I couldn’t contain my laughter.
“Kadeem his name is Donovan and she said they’re good so stay out of trouble.”
Samaj grabbed Kadeem, pulling him away from the door. “Man come on.”
Jaiden and his girlfriend met up with us to go bowling. It was the guys against the girls and unfortunately the guys won, but to cheer us up they took us to the mall, and we did a little shopping before we went back to Samaj’s place and just hung out.
The ride to the airport the next morning was a little tough, but I enjoyed spending the weekend with Samaj and seeing him in his element.
Union Heights was doing him good, and the long distance was proving to be beneficial for our relationship, but I couldn’t lie—I was looking forward to the day he’d move back down to Carrington, and I could have him close.