Chapter 13
THIRTEEN
Brandy Davenport
I WALKED INTO MY APARTMENT and cased the entire space before I could get comfortable. Jeffrey showing up to the airport had me on edge and even though Armond handled the situation I couldn’t get Jeffrey’s words that he’d be seeing me again soon out of my head.
I was so sure he would be chilling on my sofa while drinking a beer with his foot resting on his knee and arm slung across the back of the sofa just smiling at me while Sports Center played in the background. I was glad that wasn’t the case.
I pulled out my cell phone and sent a group text to my girls to let them know I was finally home.
They'd been bugging me since I sent a text telling them we were going on our second official date.
I had to silence my phone to quell their excitement.
I had the feeling that food was definitely our safe space.
Armond kept that sexy smirk on his face like he was all knowing, like he could read my every thought.
He didn't have to do anything extra to keep my eyes roaming back at him.
He was just there, present in our little moments.
I had to keep pushing it to the back of my head that this was just the beginning, that things would crumble soon enough.
Jeffrey's manipulative ways put me down a dark path mentally, and even two years later, I was still having trouble giving anyone new a chance, male or female, intimate relationships or not. If you weren't already in my clique, then there was no need for additions.
I booked my flight to visit my sister in Colton. I would be visiting her in a week and hopefully I'd have all my business handled and make sure I had coverage for my classes.
I woke up a couple of hours later to three missed calls and two voicemails. I couldn't remember falling asleep but noticing the half glass of wine still in my hand and my head on my laptop I gathered I was just attempting to do too much when I knew I should've taken my shower and curled up in bed.
My phone buzzed in my hand with a notification from social media. I opened it up to see photos and videos from our trip to Puerto Rico and couldn't help but smile at all the moments captured. Though it was crazy, a time was had. This exhaustion just signified how much fun I had.
I exited and went to my text messages, one from Stella and one from Armond. I quickly replied to Stella, agreeing to join her for lunch the next day then called Armond since that's what he prompted me to do since I missed his two calls.
“The sleeping beauty awakens,” he said when he answered on the first ring.
“Yeah, I'm sorry about that. How are you?”
“Better now that I hear your voice. You had that itis, huh?”
“Something like that. You fed me well.”
“I can feed you anytime.”
His sly voice wandered my mind. He knew exactly what he was doing. I'd wanted to jump his bones since we met and him mentioning feeding me anything had me thinking of it in the nastiest way. I kept that thought to myself though.
“As long as it's not while I'm teaching a class then I'm all for it.”
I giggled and he let out a light chuckle.
“I'm all for that, honeybee. Look, I must go out of town for a couple of days with my brother. I'm heading to London then coming right back. Will I be able to see you when I return?”
“Absolutely. Should I make that a date?”
“You better.”
I loved his confidence. It exuded effortlessly and he made it so easy to fall for him. He could say something simple and it made my heart race. Anticipation alone would be enough to push me forward for the next couple of days.
“When do you leave?”
“In the morning.”
“Too busy to meet up before you head out? Are you far from me?”
“I'm never too far, mama. I'll always come running to you.”
“Well then, I'd love to meet up with you whenever you're free. I know you have a lot going on with your brother, so I don't expect it to be right away.”
“Mama, when do you want to see me?”
“Now.”
“Then you'll see me. I'll be there shortly, so make sure you go take that shower.”
I giggled and nodded, knowing he couldn't see me. I was smiling hard.
“I'll see you soon, Armond .”
“Mmhmm. Indeed, you will.”
We disconnected the call and I shot up to get ready.
I glanced at the ring on my finger and felt like I was in a fairytale.
There was no way I was this giddy over a man I'd known for less than a week.
The way my heart was racing, I knew I was smitten.
The way he went about me was like he was just as smitten and I grew excited to see where this night would take us.