Chapter 4
I couldn’t believe I agreed to get coffee with Nashton.
Was I for real about to do this? It had been seven months since my last relationship.
Truth be told, I was afraid too. This would be the first time I’d be around a man since Jonathan.
Since I’d met Nashton, he had always been respectful, and he kept a smile on his face.
I blew air out of my mouth and dropped my head back on the pillow.
Maybe I should keep my mind off that man.
However, since yesterday, he had been on my mind.
It was the fact that he asked me out for coffee.
What could that even mean? Did he want to get to know me better? What were his intentions with me?
My cell phone dinged on the pillow beside me. I reached for it to eye the notification. It was from Nashton.
Nashton:
Good morning, beautiful. I’m reaching out to see if we are still on for our coffee date.
I quickly texted him back.
Me:
Yes, we are.
What in the hell was I doing? Did I really agree to this when I had second thoughts before? This was probably something I needed, but doubt crept in, trying to take me out. I didn’t need that in my life.
Before I could talk myself out of it, I dialed Farrah’s number.
Hopefully, she could help me with how I felt.
She’d probably cuss me out, but I’d probably need that too.
I threw the covers off my body while I waited for her to answer the phone.
The least I could do was start getting ready in case I did go.
“Good morning, girl. Why in the hell are you calling me this early?” Farrah asked. I heard water running in her background.
I got out of bed and made my way into the bathroom. “I need your help.” While I got ready, I explained to her what the problem was.
“Ken, I’m going to need you to get your shit together. You better go on that date. It’s the start of a new beginning for you. What’s the worst that could happen?”
Little did she know a lot could happen. What if I started talking to this man and actually liked him?
I was the type of woman to fall fast. If that happened and Nashton turned out to be a toad instead of Prince Charming, I’d be devastated.
I believed in love and wanted it, but after getting my heart broken, it was scary to give someone a chance. I voiced my fears to her.
“You got this, Ken. It’s okay to be cautious, but don’t be so scared that you miss out on your blessing. This man just asked for coffee with you. He didn’t offer to give you a ring. Just go and see how it turns out.”
I blew air out of my mouth. “Yeah, you’re right. I’m just in my head, but I’ll get it together. Thanks, girl. You’re always there when I need you. I love you, chick.”
“I love you too, Ken! Make sure to call me with details!”
I smiled. “I will!”
After I hung up the phone, I continued to get ready. It was a good thing I didn’t have to do anything with my hair. As I moved around my bedroom, Pinks was all in the way like she always was.
I picked out a white and gray shirt to wear with jeans and a pair of Jordans.
Since this was a casual meeting, there was no need for me to dress up.
I still wanted to look my best though. This man saw me in gym clothes and still asked me out for coffee.
That told me everything I needed to know.
With a smile, I continued dressing. I strolled into the bathroom to take a look at myself in the mirror.
It had been a while since I had glowed with happiness.
My nutmeg brown skin complexion had a glow to it.
I couldn’t help but curve my full lips into a smile.
After I was done, I headed out of my bedroom with my white Michael Kors purse on my shoulder. No matter how nervous I felt, I had to be a woman of my word. This could be something I needed.
“See you later, Pinks!” I called out before I left my house.
When I stepped outside, the coolness slapped me in the face.
With the month being September, fall was about to come in.
The weather changed, and I couldn’t wait.
Fall was my favorite season. I stepped off my small porch, headed to my white Toyota Camry, and unlocked the door.
Once inside, I pushed the button to start it.
My cell phone dinged in my purse. I pulled it out and saw that it was a text from Nashton.
Nashton:
I’m here.
Damn it! I needed to get a move on it.
Me:
Okay. I’m on the way. Sorry, I lost track of time.
That wasn’t a complete lie since I had to talk to Farrah. I placed the phone in the cup holder and backed out of my driveway.
The drive to Crème Coffee Café was about ten to fifteen minutes from my house, so I blasted the new Cardi B album on my way there. For it being a Saturday, the morning traffic wasn’t too bad, and I was glad for it. I’d get to the cafe quicker too.
When I arrived, the place wasn’t as packed as it usually would be, which was a good thing. Today was already heading in the right direction. I retrieved my purse from the passenger seat and opened the door to exit.
“Kenzlee!”
I turned to see who had called my name and saw that it was Nashton. He came toward me with a smile on his face.
“Good morning, beautiful,” he greeted.
“Good morning.” I returned the smile. “I don’t know why I thought you’d already have us a seat.”
He shook his head. “Nah, I invited you out. I wouldn’t leave you hanging for you to come look for me. I’d rather wait for you.”
That’s sweet of him.
“Well, then I guess we’ll walk in together.”
He nodded and took my hand in his. The feeling of Nashton’s hand in mine caused my heart to flutter and gave me butterflies. That was a first for me. I couldn’t help but look up at him, trying not to show how affected I was.
“You look nice by the way,” he complimented.
I smiled happily. “Thank you.” I took a moment to eye his clothes. Nashton had a pair of basketball shorts on and a t-shirt. “And you look like you’ve just left the gym.”
We shared a laugh.
“Nah, not this morning, but this is my everyday wear. I barely dress up unless I have to. I thought since we were just having coffee, this should be good. Is this good?” He looked over at me.
I nodded. “Yes, it is.”
He let go of my hand to open the door for me.
I felt the loss of not having his hand in mine and wanted to rejoin our hands just to get that feeling back.
When I entered, the smell had my stomach growling.
It reminded me I hadn’t had breakfast this morning.
The aroma of the coffee was strong in the air.
I couldn’t wait to order my caramel latte with a ham and cheese bagel.
I felt Nashton behind me. “Do you know what you want to order?” he whispered in my ear.
I tried not to shiver from his closeness. “Yeah,” I answered and told him what my order was.
“Okay. Go find us a seat while I place our order.”
With a nod, I did what he told me to do. I found us a table in the back of the café that overlooked the parking lot. I removed my purse from my shoulder and set it in the chair next to me.
Every time I came in here, the workers had a smile on their faces, which was one reason I loved this place. I watched as Nashton talked to the cashier and paid for the food. After he shoved his wallet back in his gym shorts, he made his way over to me.
“You’re not afraid your wallet is going to fall out of your shorts?” I asked when he took a seat.
He shook his head. “Nah. It’s never done that before. Trust me. I’ll know if it falls out or not. But luckily, it hasn’t yet.”
“Hmm. Well, you’d better thank the Lord then. That’s still scary.”
I hated putting my phone in my back pocket when I had on jeans. I was too scared it would fall out.
He chuckled. “Oh, I thank Him every day.”
“What’s the reason for this coffee date, as you call it?” I asked with a smile.
Our eyes met and held. “It’s a chance for us to get to know each other better. That’s something I want to do. Are you willing to get to know me too?”
It’s the start of a new beginning. Farrah’s words came back to me full force.
I smiled. “Yes. I’d like to get to know you better.”
Nashton nodded, rubbing his hands together. “When you stopped coming to the gym, I thought I’d never see you again, which was a feeling I didn’t like. I had gotten used to seeing your beautiful face.”
I scoffed with a roll of my eyes. “You’re always calling me beautiful.”
He chuckled. “Because you are. Everything about you looks good.”
I didn’t know how to take a compliment. That was hard to do, which was why I brushed it off.
“Thanks,” I mumbled.
The server came and set the food in front of us. “Enjoy,” she stated with a smile and walked away.
“You seem like the type that doesn’t get compliments too much,” he noted, removing our food from the tray.
I smiled sadly. “You can say that. It’s not something I’m used to,” I admitted.
“As long as I’m in your life, you’ll hear it more often.”
I reached for my bagel and opened the wrapper.
“Since we’re getting to know each other, tell me some things about you. What do you like to do?” Nashton asked, reaching for his coffee cup.
“Oh gosh, there’s so much I like to do. I have to stay busy.” I chuckled. “But I like to color and go to the zoo. I love animals so much that I’m a veterinarian.”
Nashton’s eyes widened. “Word? You are?”
I nodded my head proudly. “Yes. I also have a cat named Pinks.”
He chuckled. “A cat named Pinks. That’s unusual.”
I giggled. “Yeah, I don’t know what I thought when I named her, but it stuck.”
“How often do you color?”
I tapped my chin with a hum. “Uhh, not as often as I’d like. I used to color every day, but now I don’t. I’m ready to get back to it.”
“Hopefully, you’ll be able to.”
“Yes. I’ve already bought more coloring books with markers, crayons, and coloring pencils. I’m ready.” It had been a while since I enjoyed my time like this. Nashton actually listened to me. I hadn’t had that in a while.
Silence filled us as we ate some of our food. I wanted to know about him too. He seemed laid back and quiet.
“What about you? What do you like to do?” I asked, reaching for my latte.
“As you already know, I enjoy working out, but I also like playing basketball and swimming. When I’m not doing either of those, I’m looking for new restaurants to try out or new food to learn how to cook.”
My eyes widened. “Wait. You like to cook too?”
Nashton smiled with a nod. “You can say that. Whenever I have a little downtime, you can find me in the kitchen. What about you? Do you cook?”
I took a sip of my drink before I nodded. “Yes. I do. It’s so calming to me.”
“That’s how I feel too. What’s some stuff you don’t like? With your pretty ass, you don’t look like you can hurt a fly.”
I threw my head back and laughed. “Don’t let it fool you. Although I’ve never had to fight in my life, I’m not scared to if I have to.” That statement brought back the time I hit Jonathan. I should never have put my hands on him, but he deserved it. “But I don’t like liars, cheaters, or bugs.”
“Oh, damn. I’m okay with bugs, but I don’t like liars or cheaters either. I also don’t like it when someone tries to disrespect me. I’ll cut them off and not want anything to do with them.”
“Yes! I can agree with that too.”
We finished our food and drinks and continued to talk. I had nowhere to be, and I hoped he didn’t either.
“I’m enjoying this,” Nashton admitted.
I beamed happily. “So am I. I have a question. Since you like to try out new food, what’s your favorite food to eat?”
Nashton smirked. “Man, I have too many, but my favorite of all time is a seafood boil. I can eat them every day.”
My eyes widened as I gasped. “Mine too. I just made one last week.” To know that I had something in common with this man had me wondering what else we had in common. I had nothing in common with Jonathan.
“Do you cook yours a lot or do you buy it?” he asked.
“I prefer to cook it myself. Whenever I buy it, I don’t get the same taste as when I make it.”
“Same here.”
We sat in comfortable silence, peering around the café.
“Do you want anything else to eat or drink?”
I shook my head. “No, I’m good.”
“Are you ready to go?”
I shook my head again. “I’ll be ready whenever you are, but I’m not right now.” I didn’t want to go home to an empty house. Whenever I was alone, I tended to get in my feelings and overthink. I didn’t want that to happen today.
“I never would have thought I’d be here with you like this. When you’d come to the gym, I’d speak, but I never talked to you like this. I’m glad I asked you out yesterday. Truthfully, I don’t know what made me do it, but now I know I made the right choice.”
The corners of my mouth curled upward into a wide grin. “Since we’re being honest, I can admit I was scared to come, and I almost canceled.”
Nashton playfully gasped with his hand over his wide chest. “What? You would’ve left me hanging?”
I dropped my head in shame because I sure would’ve. “Uhhh...”
He chuckled. “It’s all good. I’m happy it didn’t turn out that way.”
I smiled. “Me too.”
Moments later, we walked out of the cafe holding hands. As much as I didn’t want to leave, it was time to go. It made no sense how much fun I had with Nashton. When we made it to my car, he pulled me in for a hug.
“Damn, you smell good,” he mumbled.
His deep voice in my ear caused me to shudder.
“Thank you.”
I didn’t want to let him go, even when we pulled apart.
“Make sure you get home safely. Text me when you’ve made it home.”
I nodded with a smile. “I will. Have a good rest of your day.” I unlocked my door. Before I could open the door, he reached for it first.
“Whenever we’re together, you don’t reach for this door handle. I got it. Okay?” Nashton instructed.
I gulped with a nod. “My bad.”
Nashton only smiled and held the door open for me to slide in. He closed the door behind me.
“Don’t forget to text me.”
“I won’t.”
He closed the door, and I put on my seat belt. Starting the car, I peered in the rearview mirror but didn’t see Nashton anywhere. Today was definitely the start of a new beginning.