Chapter 12 Nyree
I might have jumped the gun.
What the hell was I thinking, asking Asia out on a date when I didn’t have my shit together?
Yeah, I got gigs here and there, but I was nowhere near established.
I was a step above a bum nigga, and sooner or later, she would see right through me.
Staring at myself in the bathroom mirror, I gave myself a once over. It had been a couple years since I had been on an official date. I'd smashed a few females here and there, but it was never anything serious.
But something inside me felt serious about Asia. It was like I met her at the right time, yet the wrong time. I wasn't ready but I was willing. The question was, would she accept me as I was?
She seemed cool when I mentioned Julien's event being my first gig, but she could have just been being polite. No woman wanted a broke nigga. I wasn't down bad, but at the same time, I wasn't in a position to provide for her either if it came to that.
But I wanted her.
"Just chill out, nigga," I said to my reflection, amping myself up for what I knew was going to be a good date.
I couldn't wait to see her pretty ass. Those high cheek bones and honey brown eyes had me mesmerized.
It wasn't the color, it was the allure. Baby girl had it going on and all she needed was a nigga like me in her life.
I checked my phone one more time. Twenty minutes until I was supposed to meet her at the restaurant. My stomach was doing flips like I was back in high school or some shit.
After what happened with Nia at the event, I spent too much time overthinking everything. Not just about my career, but about Asia too. What if this was all moving too fast? What if I was reading too much into our connection?
What connection? My doubts whispered. Y’all barely even know each other. Tell her you can’t make it.
But every time I thought about backing out, I remembered the way she'd texted me right away this morning to confirm our plans. The way she sent that heart emoji after I complimented her profile picture. Little things that told me this wasn't just in my head.
"Fuck it," I muttered, grabbing my keys and wallet. Either way, I was about to find out.
The drive to the restaurant wasn't long, but it gave me time to get my head straight. I cranked up the radio, letting the beat of J. Cole's “Love Yours” wash over me, nodding to the rhythm. Music always centered me when my thoughts started spiraling.
Traffic was light for a Friday evening, and I pulled into the parking lot of Seaside Bistro ten minutes early.
It was the spot I'd picked after asking around about good seafood places that weren't too expensive but still nice enough for a first date.
The kind of place that showed I put thought into it without looking like I was trying too hard.
I parked and checked my appearance one more time in the rearview mirror, lightly brushing my waves. Then I headed toward the entrance, figuring I'd wait inside for Asia.
That's when I saw her.
She was standing near the door, looking even more beautiful than I remembered. She wore a simple dress that hugged her curves just right, her hair falling in loose waves around her shoulders. But what caught me off guard wasn't how good she looked – it was who she was with.
Some tall-ass dude in a button-up was standing too close to her, smiling down at her like he knew her. And she was smiling back, laughing at whatever bullshit he was saying.
My steps faltered as waves of jealousy ran through me. Who the fuck was this nigga? Had she invited someone else along? Was this whole thing a misunderstanding?
For a second, I considered turning around, getting back in my car and pretending I never showed up. My pride couldn't take being played like that.
But something kept my feet moving forward. Maybe it was curiosity. Maybe it was the fact that I'd been thinking about this woman nonstop since we met. Whatever it was, I found myself approaching them, my face neutral even as blood rushed through my ears.
Just as I got close, the dude said something I couldn't hear, touched Asia's arm briefly, and then walked away toward the parking lot.
Before I could process what that meant, Asia turned and saw me. Her entire face lit up with a smile so genuine it knocked the wind out of me.
"Nyree!" she called out, taking a few steps toward me.
All my jealousy evaporated in an instant. The way she looked at me couldn't be faked. Her eyes locked with mine, and something clicked into place between us.
I didn't plan what happened next. It was pure instinct. I closed the distance between us, cupped her face in my hands, and kissed her.
Her lips were soft, surprised at first, then yielding. I heard her small gasp against my mouth before she relaxed into the kiss, her hands coming up to rest on my chest.
It lasted only seconds, but it felt like everything shifted in that moment. When we pulled apart, her cheeks were flushed, eyes wide with surprise, but there was no anger or discomfort there – just wonder.
"I—" she started, then stopped, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "Well, hello to you too."
"Sorry," I said, not feeling sorry at all. "I've been wanting to do that since I first saw you."
She laughed. "Most guys at least wait until after dinner."
"I'm not most guys." I reached for her hand, my fingers sliding between hers like they belonged there. Her hand fit perfectly in mine, and when she gave a gentle squeeze, I knew I hadn't misread anything.
"Who was that?" I couldn't help asking, nodding toward where the dude had disappeared.
Asia rolled her eyes. "Just a friend from high school. He was walking out when I was walking up so we started talking."
She studied me as she spoke. “He’s gay,” she added, seeming to sense something.
Oh. Damn.
She tilted her head, a smirk playing on her lips. "Why, were you jealous?"
I considered lying, then decided against it. "For about thirty seconds, yeah."
"And that's why you kissed me? To mark your territory?" There was a teasing challenge in her voice.
I shook my head. "Nah. I kissed you because with the way you keep smiling at me, it felt like the most natural thing in the world."
Her expression softened. "Smooth talker."
"Just honest."
A moment passed between us before she tugged on my hand. "Come on. I'm starving, and you promised me the best crab cakes in the city."
We walked into the restaurant, our fingers intertwined, and I decided that for once in my life, I wasn't going to question a good thing.