Chapter 7
I knew the minute Jamari walked into the bar.
My heart always did flip-flops when I felt he was near.
I rotated around and watched as he took his usual seat.
It was the scowl on his face that had me wanting to kiss it away.
Why did he always have to have his face scrunched up like that?
The server, who always took his usual drink order, came around the bar to pick it up. I stopped her.
"Hey, are you taking this to the guy who sits in front of the bar?" I quizzed.
She nodded with an arched eyebrow.
"Let me be the one to take it. I'll make sure you get the tip he always gives you."
She shrugged as if it were no big deal, but it was. Once I got everything I needed, I went to his table. My heartbeat raced with every step I took toward his table. I pasted a smile on my face when I set the tray down in front of him.
"Hi," I greeted.
He lifted his head and pinned me with a glare. "You again?"
I pressed my lips together to keep from laughing out loud. He didn't seem to like me, but it was cool because I planned to make him love me one day. I nearly stumbled back at the thought that came forth. I didn't need to be thinking about this man loving me. Not right now, anyway.
"Yes, it's me again. How are you?" I took a seat across from him and rested my hand under my chin.
I could get lost, staring at him. He was a good-looking man with brown skin and eyes that pierced my heart every time he glowered at me. Little did he know, the look he always gave me turned me on.
He pierced his eyes on me, nearly causing me to squirm in my seat. "Why do you want to know? Leave me alone, man."
I smirked. "Nope. I'm here to stay. How's your brother?"
His eyes widened in surprise when I asked him that. "He's umm... he's good. Thanks for asking." He leaned forward and opened his bottle of Hennessy. Then he gave me a once over and frowned.
"Where are your glasses?"
I smiled, enjoying the fact that he remembered I wore glasses. "I don't wear them too often. I have my contacts in. If you want me to wear my glasses more, just say the word. For you, I'll do anything."
Jamari threw his head back and laughed. I was so serious right now. "Man, you're crazy."
He could say that all he wanted, but I knew what I wanted and was going after it. I hated seeing the sadness in his eyes. I wanted to replace that sadness with happiness and keep a smile on his handsome face.
"I'm just being honest. Why do you come here in the middle of the night and just drink? You don't vibe or talk with anyone. It's just you... Why?"
I didn't know why I went there, nor did I know if he'd tell me. Still, I held out hope that he would. I had it in my mind I wouldn’t leave until we talked to each other. We talked, and I was happy about that. No one could take this feeling from me.
Jamari shrugged, leaning back, swinging his legs in and out. "I have nothing to say to anyone. It's my time to have some peace and to myself. What do I look like trying to talk to someone fucking up my own vibe? Nah, I'm good off it. It's just me, vibing to release the stress of the day I had."
"I get your point. When I want to vibe by myself, I go shopping and just spend money. It calms me in a way. Being in someone's store just browsing helps me too."
One thing I was proud of was getting Jamari to talk. Hopefully, he continued to talk to me.
A server came and asked if I wanted anything. I was on the clock, but at the moment, I didn't care. As I talked to Jamari, that seemed more important, so I ordered a dirty martini.
"I didn't invite you to sit and talk with me," Jamari commented, refilling his glass.
I grinned. "Yet here I am, doing just that. And guess what?"
He lifted an eyebrow. "Hmm?"
"You're not going to stop me."
"I can if I want to."
I waved him off and scooted my seat closer to him. Jamari took a breath that caught me off guard, but I felt good about it. He was just as affected by me as I was by him.
While I waited for the server to bring my drink, we talked about our likes and dislikes.
"One thing I like most is mixing drinks.
That's why I'm the best bartender around.
I mix great drinks, but I try not to give out all my specialties.
When I'm not mixing drinks, I'm in someone's store spending money.
I told you that already. Also, I enjoy spending time with my mother and best friend. "
I thanked the server when she came and set my drink in front of me.
"Since I was a little boy, I've enjoyed building LEGOs. I love working with my hands. When I'm not working, I spend all my time with my siblings. Then, when they go to sleep, I'll come here and chill. I have a neighbor who keeps an eye on the place for me when I'm gone."
I nodded. "Everyone needs a little peace every now and then."
I took a moment to look at his hands. They looked like they could bring me to an orgasm in seconds. My thoughts were wild. It always seemed to be like that when I was in his presence. This had to stop. If not, I'd be in big trouble.
"What is something you don't like?" I asked, reaching for my drink to take a swig of it.
"If someone gets out of pocket and disrespects me. I'm not the type to bring drama to anyone. However, if I'm crossed, I'll let their asses have it," Jamari stated.
I tapped my index and thumb together. "Yes, sir. Clock it."
He frowned before he shook his head. "Hell nah. Don't do that again."
We shared a laugh. I felt good seeing the smile on his handsome face as he laughed.
"But I'm the same way, too. I hate it when someone tries to disrespect me and thinks I won't pop off. Tuh, I'll show them. Oh, and I'm afraid of spiders." I cringed just mentioning it.
Jamari polished off the rest of his drink and added more to the glass. While he did that, I took another sip of mine. With the vibe I had with this man, I could sit and talk to him all day if I wanted to.
"Are you hungry? I can order some wings and fries," he offered.
I tried not to show how surprised I was, but I managed to keep it in check.
I smiled. "Sure. As long as it's buffalo."
Jamari hummed. "What other kind is there?"
We shared another laugh. I was glad I had the courage to talk to Jamari when I did, but now I didn't want to leave him alone.
Even when he was standoffish, the liquor had him socializing with me.
I loved that a lot. If I wanted to keep him talking, I had to keep liquor in his system. That was something I could do.
"Are wings your favorite food?" I asked him, picking up his bottle of Hennessy and pouring myself a glass of it.
Jamari's eyes narrowed, but he said nothing. "Nah, they aren't. My favorite food is lasagna."
"Oh, yum. It's been a while since I had lasagna. Do you know how to make it?"
"Man, do I? You might as well say I invented it from the way I make it," he bragged.
I smiled slightly. "Maybe one day, you'll cook it for me." Yes, I reached, but I wanted to see if I had him where I wanted him.
Even in this bar, with a crowd of people around us, it was only just the two of us. I felt lost inside Jamari's bubble. Truthfully, I wanted to stay there too.
"What about you? What's your favorite food?"
"Hot dogs with extra onions. Also, my favorite drink is Pepsi." My mother used to always tell me when I drank dark sodas to drink hella water too. I made sure I did that.
"Mine is orange juice. Favorite color?"
"Red. Yours?"
"Blue."
I chuckled. "That sounds about right."
We were silent for a while, enjoying our drinks. We then talked some more, and before I knew it, it was time for me to clock out.
Jamari surprised me again when he walked me to my car. I wouldn't be leaving without getting his number.
"It's always dark as hell out here," I complained, watching my surroundings.
Jamari chuckled. "Why are you checking your surroundings? I got you and won't let anything happen." With that, he grasped my hand in his.
I felt safer with him than I had ever felt before. As much as I wanted to squeeze my hand in his, I didn't.
"Will I be too forward if I ask for your number?" I questioned.
He scoffed. "Now you're worried about being too forward after you're coming after me every time you see me."
I dropped my head, hiding a smile as if he could see it in the dark. "When I see something, I go after it," I asserted.
Jamari grunted. "Yeah, I see. Nah, you're not too forward in asking. Once we reach your car, I'll give it to you."
The way he said that had my juices flowing. If he wanted to give it to me in another way, I'd be down for that, too.
When we reached my car, I pulled my phone from my pocket, and Jamari gave me his number. As soon as I stored his number in my phone, I sent him a text.
"Now you have my number. Make sure you store it."
He laughed. "I will. Gimme hug."
Jamari was full of surprises tonight. I walked into his arms, and we embraced. I inhaled his scent, loving the manly scent he had. It was a smell I wanted embedded in my heart. I almost didn't want to let him go.
"I'll follow you home, too."
I shook my head, dismissing that. "No, I have it."
"I didn't ask." With that, Jamari walked away from me.
I got into my car and waited until he got into his.
By the time I got to the exit of the parking lot, a car was behind me.
I smiled as I drove, checking the rearview mirror every so often.
When I pulled into the parking lot of my townhouse, Jamari blew his horn and kept it moving.
He warmed my heart in ways that I couldn't explain.
Nonetheless, I enjoyed being with him tonight.
I'd be looking forward to more nights with him like that.
If I had it my way, I'd keep a smile on his face, or I'd at least try my best to do so.