Chapter 19 #2
As we said our goodbyes and ended the call, I got off the couch and grabbed my stuff for the gym.
The conversation with my mom didn’t provide any clarity.
In fact, it made me feel even stronger about my connection to Russ and to my opportunity with RLF.
So, I planned to spend the day thinking about anything and everything else but that.
No such luck.
I had an intense workout and every muscle in my body ached because of the acrobatic positions Russ had put me in.
I had a delicious lunch and thought about how when I was full the night before, Russ rubbed my belly.
When I spent the afternoon posting content on social media and responding with comments, I couldn’t help but think how it was Russ’s brand that I was representing.
I can’t escape this man, I thought with a rueful smile.
Refocusing, I put my phone on do not disturb, turned the music volume up high, and worked diligently.
My stomach grumbled and when I looked at the clock, I was surprised.
Grabbing my phone, I made my way to the kitchen, checking my missed calls.
There were quite a few people I needed to follow up with.
But there was one in particular I needed to take care of.
“If it ain’t Disappearing Acts herself,” The Funny One greeted me. “Where has your sexy ass been?”
I smiled. “Hey, James. I’ve been doing a lot, honestly. I’ve been meaning to get in touch with you.”
“Well, I have a show tomorrow and I’d love for you to come.
We could reconnect. Afterward, I can take you out to dinner and then take you home for dessert.
And don’t immediately say no. It’s been a minute and you’ve been depriving me all summer.
I’m starting to think you got a man or something? ” he joked.
I listened to his light chuckle in silence before clearing my throat. “That’s what I’ve been meaning to talk to you about.”
“Oh shit… you got a man? Like, one man?”
“Something like that.”
“I thought you didn’t want anything serious or exclusive.”
“I didn’t think I wanted anything serious or exclusive either.”
“And this is what you really want?”
“Yes.” The ease with which the word rolled off my tongue surprised even me. “It is.”
“Wow.” He seemed genuinely shocked, letting out a long breath. “Does this mean you’re not trying to get up with me anymore?”
I looked at my phone quizzically. “Correct.”
“Oh, that’s… wow!” After a moment, he continued, “You don’t even want to cheat?”
“What!” I almost choked. “Why would you think I would cheat?”
“You remember when you wore that one pair of shoes to that show, and then you changed into a different pair of shoes for dinner? Yeah, that’s cheat energy. You can’t even stick with one shoe for the night, you definitely not sticking with one man.”
Covering my mouth, I held in my laugh. “James. Please.”
“Are you going to deny you give off cheat vibes?”
“I’m categorically denying it! I’ve never cheated in my life.”
“You ain’t never had a relationship in your life.”
I nodded even though he couldn’t see me. “Valid. But I’m not a cheater.”
“Fine.” He sighed dramatically. “But listen, if you change your mind, I’m here. Give me a call.”
I sucked my teeth. “Bye, James.”
“Nina, I’m serious. Think about it. Bye!”
I disconnected the call and shook my head.
The ending with The Funny One was lighthearted, like everything else with him. That was a stark contrast to the heartbreak I caused with The Romantic One and the stony silence I received from The Smart One. The diverse roster I’d built was pretty elite.
And I gave it all up for Russ.
The thought gave me a funny feeling. I wasn’t nervous or uneasy about the decision. But the realization that I had completely wiped my slate clean and gotten rid of all my prospects to focus on one man was a testament to my feelings.
And I really don’t know how this is going to work.
Hours later, after finishing my work for the day, I had a conversation with Jazmyn.
I told her I’d be bringing Russ as my date on Saturday.
Because of Aaliyah’s birthday-date crisis, I didn’t have to worry about either of them prying too much for more information.
But as soon as I got off the phone with Jazz, I looked at the photo again of Aaliyah’s date for the night and then called her up.
As she was catching me up with what was going on, I got a text from Russ letting me know he was on the way to my place. Even though a chill ran down my spine, I decided that I wasn’t going to let the dick distract me. We needed to talk.
Clearing my throat, I refocused on the conversation with Aaliyah.
“No, but he looks like someone specific,” I told her as I studied the picture she’d sent me. “Ugh! It’s going to bother me until I remember the man’s name.” It was on the tip of my tongue, but the name was escaping me. I sighed loudly. “I’ll let you know when I think of it.”
“Okay, sounds good,” Aaliyah responded, amused. “And have fun on your date tonight.”
“It’s not a date. We’re just linking up,” I corrected her. “Unlike you, I plan to have my needs met tonight.”
“Mm-hmm. Well, have fun linking up with your date tonight.”
I rolled my eyes. “Goodbye, Aaliyah.”
“Byeeeeeee,” she sang in return.
I ended the call and went to get dressed. It wasn’t a date. It was an important conversation. But the lingerie I put on under the charcoal-gray tank dress made it clear that the night was going to end with sex.
Grabbing the visitor pass, I approached my front door. Even though he hadn’t knocked yet, according to his text, he should’ve been parking. I didn’t want him to get all the way up to the door and have to go back, so I went outside.
“Fuck!” Russ yelled before stuffing his phone into his pocket. When he turned around, he seemed surprised. “Hey, sorry about that.”
I eyed him quizzically as I handed him the parking pass. “Everything okay?”
“It’s work bullshit. It’s…” He shook his head, hoisting his duffle bag strap on his shoulder.
“You know what? I’m off, and I’m with you.
I don’t even want to think about that right now.
” He unlocked his car and put the pass on the dashboard.
When he made his way back to me, he smiled.
“When I’m with you, all the bullshit disappears. ”
I rose up on my toes and planted a kiss against his lips. “Well, I have a surprise for you when we get inside.”
He grabbed my ass and shook it. “I like the sound of that.”
I made a face as I turned around and led him inside. “Yeah, okay.”
As soon as the door closed behind him, we took off our shoes.
“How are you?” he asked, following me to the living room.
“I’m glad you asked,” I replied, patting the seat cushion next to me.
He sat his bag on the floor and then sat on the couch with me. “What’s up?”
“So last night we established how we feel about each other and that led to a really, really good night.”
He grabbed my hand and kissed the back of it. “It was so good it was hard to concentrate today.”
I bit down on my bottom lip and nodded. “Same.”
“When you did that thing with your throat…” He let out a breath and shook his head. “I had to start a meeting a couple minutes late because I had to calm down before leaving my office.”
I almost let myself get caught up as the heat spread over my body. But I shook it off.
“But before we circle back to that, we need to talk about us.”
“The fact that we’re in a relationship?” he guessed, running his thumb across my knuckles.
“No.” My cheeks felt warm, and I knew my face was flushed. “The fact that if I’m going to be in a relationship, I want to be in it.”
His brows furrowed. “What do you mean? We are in it. I’m all the way in it. It’s us.”
“How are we going to be an us if I’m technically working for you for the next eight months?”
“I’m still working on that. I’m trying to figure out a way that it doesn’t blow back on either of us.”
“In the meantime, I don’t want to feel like we’re hiding out.”
He shook his head. “That’s not the case. We’re…” He struggled to find the words to complete his sentence.
“We’re hiding,” I finished for him. “Last night, we were at your place. Tonight, we’re at mine. And since we aren’t going out because we can’t, we’re hiding.”
“We’re going to go out next week.”
“How?” I wondered.
“I’m taking care of it.”
“I don’t understand how though.” I intertwined my fingers with his. “I want you. I also want to be out and about. And I want us to keep doing work we love. I don’t know how all of those things can happen.”
“There is a way. I just need time to make it happen.”
“As badly as I want this”—I gestured between the two of us—“all of the points you made when you sat right here three weeks ago are still valid today. I don’t want either of us to lose anything.”
“And we won’t,” he said with a quiet intensity.
“I’m not losing you. I’m not losing what we have.
I’m not losing my company. I’m not letting you lose this job.
” He brought my hand to his lips again. “I don’t get a lot of off time.
But when I do, I want to spend it with you, focused on you, enjoying you.
Let’s have fun this weekend and then on Monday, I’ll put things in motion. ”
“Okay,” I relented.
“You good with that?”
“Yeah.”
He scooted closer to me and leaned into my personal space. His beautiful brown eyes bore into mine and he put my hand against his chest. “Do you trust me?”
I felt his heart beating under my palm. The spell of his gaze caused my stomach to flutter. Overwhelmed with a flood of emotion, I answered honestly.
“Yes,” I breathed.