15. Lawton
Lawton
“Big date my ass.” I laughed. Walking down the hall to my office, I had to force myself not to turn around and pry.
From the little bit I knew about Talitha, I knew her ass wasn’t going on a date tonight. She was being spiteful and I understood. I didn’t have to disappear on her, but I did.
When Sincere called me that night, I knew something was up. I could tell by the tone of his voice. I asked him a few times if he was sure everything was good, and he swore it was.
My gut was saying otherwise so when I made it back home, I decided to pull up on him.
It was then that I learned he had run into Dahlia at the mall.
What he said to me next threw me for a loop.
Dahlia was pregnant but the baby wasn’t mine.
Preme asked and said she laughed so hard in his face at that question.
I mean, he should’ve known the answer to that himself, but I appreciate him for asking.
I knew what Dahlia’s desires were. She expressed them the night she left my ass, so I don’t know why it made me feel some type of way.
We were over and had been for months so to hear that she had moved on so fast and was now expecting had me wanting to believe that there was already someone on the sidelines. I knew Dahlia; therefore, I knew that wasn’t the case.
However, to learn she was expecting kind of sat my ass down for a while. Don’t get me wrong, I still handled my business and what not but unfortunately, Talitha took the brunt of my disappearance. I chose not to speak with her.
Anytime she called, I had Chari speaking with her. In my absence, I was still heavily involved with the renovations at the school. In fact, I spoke with the contractor several times a day.
I knew me going silent would make her feel some type of way but never had I imagined she would be pissed to the point where she would reach out to Poppa.
I think that’s what fucked me up the most, and it’s part of the reason I stayed away after I had come to the realization that Dahlia moving on was a good thing.
I knew today was the day she was planning on unveiling the new equipment to the kids. Of course, Poppa put me up on game. Hell, the nigga called me the day she called to tell him what she wanted to do.
Talitha had to understand that in my world, nothing moved until I gave it permission to do so.
Whole time she’s thinking Poppa sponsored the equipment and it was really my ass. I would continue to let her think whatever she wanted. If Poppa wanted her to know, he would have to be the one to tell her.
All she had to do was tell Chari and I would’ve made it happen. She knew exactly what the fuck she was doing when she reached out to Poppa. But that was neither here nor there. The shit was done and now I was excited to see the look on the kids’ faces.
I was also planning on getting down to the bottom of what plans she had for herself tonight. I needed to make things between us right.
After strolling into my office, I placed a call to the florist and ordered Talitha an arrangement of flowers. I had them sent to her house instead of the office. I didn’t need anyone around to know that I’d ordered her flowers.
That was the recipe for rumors starting. I didn’t want to give anyone any preconceived notions. All I was trying to do was get back on her good side. Busying myself on my computer, I signed a few contracts until it was time for the kids to start rolling in.
* * *
Standing beside Talitha and her team, I smiled. They had this whole presentation set up for the students. When the kids came into the building, they were presented with colorful leis.
After being shown the trampoline portion of the gym, the team ushered them outside where the new playground was unveiled.
I had completely missed out on all of what they had planned in my absence, but I was grateful the kids were enjoying it.
When they walked to the back of the building, Talitha had Kona Ice, Slutty Vegan, and Hibachi Ninja food trucks for them to eat from. They could eat as much as they wanted for free.
They took advantage of that first and now they were running around the playground jumping from machine to machine. For the middle and high schoolers, she had a game room set up.
There were pool tables, basketball, and pinball machines. The whole thing looked like a smaller version of Dave & Busters.
Poppa’s ass failed to mention that all of this was a part of the shit that he’d done. But still, I was thoroughly impressed and happy to see a bunch of smiling faces.
“You guys did an amazing job,” I let them know.
Everyone but Talitha thanked me. Instead of saying anything, her ass stood there snacking on a cup of shaved ice. She knew I wanted to say more to her, that’s why she turned around and furrowed her brows at me before strutting off.
“She’s had a rather long week,” Rossi stepped in and tried to offer some type of reason for the attitude I was being tossed.
Stroking my chin, I asked, “Is that right?”
“Yes sir. This whole thing had her stressed. She was uncertain if it would happen and to be standing here right now is a bit overwhelming for her.”
“In that case, I’m happy that she got to witness her vision come to fruition.”
Stepping closer to me, Rossi clasped his hands together. “Mr. Harvey, I hope I’m not being too forward but Talitha has been working day in and day out trying to make this happen.
This evening we’re going to Centennial Park for Wine Down Wednesday. You’re welcome to join us. That’s if you’re not busy or anything.”
Bingo. I knew she wasn’t going on no fucking date. “What time?”
“Between six and seven. We’re going straight there after closing up here.”
“I could probably swing it.” I nodded. “Do me a favor and don’t tell Talitha about my invitation. Let it be a surprise cause I don’t want her to back out. You know a lot of people don’t like to let their hair down around their boss.”
“She’s going to have to get over that.” Rossi laughed. “Especially since we do a company Christmas party every year… Wait!” He paused. “Are we still having one this year? I know Dah was the one to plan that. If you need me and Talitha to take over, we can do that.”
“Yes, I still plan on having the Christmas party. And no worries, all you guys have to do is show up. I’ll send an evite to everyone the closer it gets to the holidays.”
“Whoo.” He breathed. “I’m happy to hear that. We look forward to that every year.”
“So do I,” I let him know before confirming the meet-up time again. After walking around saying my goodbyes, I gathered my things and left the center. I had two hours to get home and change before rolling up to Centennial. Clearly, Talitha couldn’t ignore my ass all day.
* * *
“How long do you plan on being sir?” Baker asked.
“I’m not sure. I’ll text you when I’m ready.”
“That’ll work. Have fun and don’t go pissing nobody off.” He laughed.
Baker had been my driver and essentially my right-hand for years. After I left the youth center earlier, I told him how Talitha was giving my ass the cold shoulder. It was him who suggested I show up to the park with a few bottles of wine to help plead my case.
Stepping out of the truck, I shot Rossi a text for their location and after getting the confirmation I needed, I headed toward the entrance with my bag of apologies in hand.
Once I located the trio, I made my way over to them. God must’ve been on my side because the spot on the grass next to Talitha was available. As soon as I was at her side, I unfolded my blanket and placed it down on the ground.
“What the hell,” she muttered.
Instead of acquiescing her, I passed the bag of wine to Rossi. “I hope you guys drink Moet. I stopped by and had them put together this charcuterie board and I also grabbed a few pastries.
“Thank you so much Mr. Harvey,” Marsha gushed and immediately fished the items out of the bag.
“Why are you here, Law?” Talitha gritted.
“Wanted to see who had the pleasure of taking you out on a date this evening.” I shrugged.
“You are so difficult.”
“All you had to do was agree to dinner and I wouldn’t have impeded on your evening plans.”
Before Talitha responded, she looked over to make sure Rossi and Marsha wasn’t paying us any attention. The two of us were having a heated, muffled debate unbeknownst to our other two guests. After realizing they were in their own little world, she rolled her eyes and turned back to me.
“I told you I had plans.”
“You lied and said you had a date.”
“Same difference.”
“Had you been truthful, I wouldn’t be here right now.”
“You shouldn’t be here regardless,” she groused. “I’m trying to unwind from an already chaotic work week. Hanging with my boss outside of work is not my idea of unwinding.
Ouch. I’ve been reduced to just her boss. “Is that where we are?”
“It’s where you put us.”
Scooting closer to her, I placed my hand at the small of her back, leaned in and whispered. “Is that all I am to you? Just your boss? You’ve reduced me down to that.”
She shrugged. “You made it this way when you went ghost on me. I know I have an issue communicating but from what I’ve seen, that’s never been your issue. You’ve been very vocal up until that point. So, what brought about the change?” she challenged.
“I don’t mind telling you. However, here isn’t the time nor place.”
“But it was the time and place for you to invite yourself?”
Pulling back, I laughed. “If you must know, I was invited by Rossi earlier.”
“Remind me to have a talk with him.”
“Why are you furrowing your brows at me? All I’m trying to do is apologize Talitha and take you out for dinner.”
“Fine.” She groaned. “If I agree to have dinner with you, would you leave?”
“I will.”
Sucking air into her lungs, she pushed it out before finally agreeing. “I’ll have dinner with you, Lawton.”
“We could’ve gotten this solved earlier. But… I’ll take what I can get.”
“I don’t think you have much of a choice,” she sassed.
“Tomorrow night at eight. Pick a restaurant and I’ll secure a reservation.”