Chapter 14
Val
Why did I let Fran do this to me?
The man across from me is so tall that even though he’s sitting, I feel like a little kid sitting at the adult table for Thanksgiving dinner. Obviously he doesn’t work for the basketball team but plays for them. A small distinction Fran left out.
A discreet glance around the room tells me everyone’s occupied by their own company. Yet the disparity between our heights has me feeling like everyone is looking our way, sizing us up, and finding us wanting. I want to be anywhere but here.
Still, I’ll play the dating game. “So you play for the Washington Kings?” I ask, attempting the torturous small talk that is all first dates.
“Yes, I’m a point guard.”
“Hmm.” Though I watch basketball on occasion, it’s not my favorite.
The men spend more time exaggerating their falls to the ground to cause a foul on the opposing player than playing the actual game.
I’d rather watch college basketball since the sport is still pure.
Fortunately for my date, I keep my thoughts to myself.
“And you? Are you an agent at Elliott and Harper?”
“Project manager.”
“Oh.” Malachi blinks. “What’s that entail?”
I explain to him my role, using Jabari’s confidence in my ability to say I run things. My date does not look impressed.
“How do you know Fran?” I ask.
“Oh, she and I met at a meet and greet once.” His face lights up. “I spilled my drink on her, and she told me there went my chances of signing with her.”
I laugh. That’s so very Franny. “Did you sign with her?”
“No, but not because of that. We determined we’re not a good fit. I’m quiet and don’t want a lot of attention. Fran wants all of her clients to land deals and be on billboards.”
True, but not because that would line her pockets.
Fran works really hard to make sure her players are the best in the league and receive the recognition they deserve for their skills.
No one who plays just for the love of the game ends up signing with Fran.
She’ll work them harder than their coaches.
“Do you have a quiet life?” I ask. Is that why Fran paired me with him? She knows how much I value my privacy and the ability to unwind when I need to.
Like I definitely will after this date. I already have a chocolate mousse waiting in the fridge for my power down.
“I do. I have a home in Leesburg, and my neighbors are a couple of miles away.”
That I can get behind. I ask Malachi questions about his house, if he has any plants or pets, and he answers each one, never telling me I’m being nosy.
Even though the conversation is flowing more freely, and my nerves are abating, I don’t feel that spark.
That interest you get when you know something more is happening.
Why do you have to date a dozen frogs—okay, so Malachi isn’t a frog, but you get the imagery—before you find a prince? My thoughts turn to Jabari. Does he have the same issues when he dates? Am I his frog? And what do you call a date that turns into a friendship?
“What about you?” Malachi asks. “What’s your place like?”
“Oh, I actually share a place with Fran. My room and the living room are overrun with plants, but it’s cozy and I adore it.”
“Ah, that’s why you asked about plants.”
“Guilty.” My face heats. “I can’t have a long-term relationship with someone anti-beauty.”
Malachi laughs. “What if I’d said all my plants were silk or plastic?”
I exaggerate a shudder. “In all honesty, I’ve never dated a guy who liked plants or had them in his house. I’m curious why you do.” Great, does that sound rude?
His gaze softens. “My mom always had plants in our home. When I moved, she bought a couple for me as housewarming gifts. Now, whenever she visits, she repots the ones that need more room and . . .” He shrugs. “All I really have to do is water them.”
“That’s awesome.” He has a good relationship with his mom. That’s certainly a plus.
I think of Jabari asking me to meet his mom .
. . as friends. Obviously, it’s not like “meeting the parents” since we’re not a couple.
I’ve met plenty of friends’ parents. It’s just, I often wonder what my reaction to him would’ve been if he hadn’t been Jackie’s ex.
If he hadn’t cheated on my sister. If he was just a hockey player Raimo knew.
Would our date have gone well? We never run out of talking points.
“Do you ever plan on moving out of DC?” Malachi asks.
I blink, trying to bring my attention back to my date. The one that’s not so terrible but I do plan on telling Fran is a no go. There’s absolutely no spark. He might as well be my dentist sitting across from me.
“I don’t know. My sisters ask me that every now and again, but I like the city. I like how many things there are to do. The history here. The whole atmosphere. Are you originally from the area?”
“Yeah, I grew up in Fairfax, went to Georgetown.”
“So did Fran. You two never ran into each other?”
“Not once.”
“How old are you again?” My gut tenses. That’s definitely a taboo question, right? No way. His age would be on a dating profile.
“Twenty-nine.”
Only two years older than me, but that means he’s five years older than Fran. Okay, so yeah, they would’ve never met in college.
Our conversation continues all the way through dessert, and soon we’re standing outside the restaurant. We met here, and I’m hoping we’ll part ways here too.
“Can I take you home?” Malachi asks.
I shake my head. “That’s not necessary. I came in on the Metro.”
“Come on,” he groans. “I’ll be a total gentleman. I won’t invite myself in or kiss you outside your door. All I want to do is ensure you get home safely.” He pulls his beanie down lower. “Plus, it’s kind of chilly today, so why not take advantage of my car?”
Yeah, March may come in like a lion, but it’s a winterized lion in the DC metro area. “I don’t know,” I say.
“Val, can we agree this was a nice date?”
My stomach tenses. Do I have to let him down now? But I keep my panic locked in my head and simply nod.
“Can we also agree we’re better off as friends?”
My breath whooshes out and is clearly visible in the night air.
Malachi laughs. “You thought I wanted another date, huh?”
“I was a little worried you were headed that way.”
“Nah, I think you’re cool, but there was kind of . . .” His voice trails off as he looks away, suddenly embarrassed.
“No spark?” I supply.
Relief fills his gaze. “Right.”
“Okay, you can take me home.”
Malachi grins and gestures with his arm which direction to walk. He falls into step next to me, and we chat nonsense until we’re in his car, headed to my condo.
When he pulls up into the driveway, I turn to him. “Thanks for this.”
“No problem. Hope you have a good evening.”
“You too. Drive safe.” I wave, then get out of the car.
Phew. I went on another date, survived, and now I’ll change into my pjs.
Twenty-seven-year-olds shouldn’t love their pajamas as much as you do, Val.
I turn my nose up at myself. There’s nothing more enjoyable than something cozy to wear, a good book, and plants reminding me of God’s good creation.
I literally feel more at ease, more at peace.
The pink hippos on my pjs move with me as I grab a book and snuggle deep into my comforter. Fran wasn’t waiting for me when I walked in the house, so I don’t have to let her down yet. If she thinks I’m already asleep, hopefully she won’t ask for a play-by-play of my non-sparkling date with Malachi.
After a while my phone notification chimes, pulling me out of the story, and I remember I was supposed to tell Jabari about my date. I glance at my phone to see a voice text from him.
“You safe?” it asks.
I glance at the time, and my mouth drops in shock. Is it really midnight? I quickly compose a voice text to Jabari.
“Yes. I’m so sorry. I thought I’d only been reading for half an hour, but apparently I’ve been reading for close to two. I got home around ten but have been vegging out since.”
“No problem. I just wanted to make sure everything was okay.”
“Thanks for checking. I’m fine. The date was okay, and we agreed we’re better as friends.”
“Hope I’m not the start of bad luck.”
I chuckle. Getting to know Jabari doesn’t feel like bad luck, even though I keep wondering what my sisters will think.
“You’re not. Don’t worry.”
“Night, Val. Talk to you tomorrow.”
I grin and place the phone back on my end table.
Having Jabari to talk to every day has brightened my life in more ways than one.
Though there are a couple of women I’ll hang out with from time to time, I’ve never really felt connected with them.
But with Jabari, there’s just something about him that makes me happy.
I can be me, and I didn’t realize how much I needed that in my life until now.