10. Temple #2
It wasn’t just because I didn’t want to, but the whole time I sat across from him, my mind was on the holy ghost that hadn’t reached out or returned my phone calls.
I had never been this damn pressed about a man, but those three dates with Solomon had me ready to Google his company and pull up to his job.
What is wrong with you, Temple Jael? What the hell did this man do to you?
I couldn’t understand it, and maybe it wasn’t for me to understand. All I knew was that he came in like a force, and I was stuck on what the hell happened.
After we left The Breakfast Spot, we headed to the mall to do some shopping.
“Go crazy, baby. Whatever you want, I got you.”
“This better not come with stipulations.”
Nate smirked at me. “Nah, just some stimulation,” he said, wagging his tongue at me.
I shook my head, hiding my amusement. As I looked through the racks of dresses, my phone chimed. I reached inside my bag and pulled it out to see a text from Solomon. My heart fluttered, and my stomach deflated when I saw his name on my screen.
Curiosity and wondering what excuse he had to give me had me hurrying to open the message.
Holy Ghoster:
Get that nigga out your face, love.
I frowned and looked around the store to see how the hell he knew I was out and with a man at that.
Holy Ghoster:
Don’t make me pop out and show homie how I used to get down. I already had to repent for what I did to the last nigga.
I hit the reply button.
Me:
You got your nerve, Casper! After all the shit you said to me, you turn around and act as if you don’t even know me. Keep that same energy, lil daddy.
Holy Ghoster:
You only got about sixty seconds before I crash out, mamas.
Me:
Crash out? not the saved and sanctified talking about crashing out. Don’t be a hypocrite, sir. Please stop texting me. Do what you do best and disappear, baby.
Holy Ghoster:
Yeah… a’ight, shorty.
I tossed my phone back in my purse just as Nate walked up behind me.
“You gon’ model them dresses for me, baby?”
“Actually, I want to shop abroad.”
“Abroad? What you mean?”
“I want to go to Milan, Italy. I want the real and authentic designer wear.”
“Shit, this shit is real and authentic, baby. It don’t get no realer than this.”
I rolled my eyes at him. “If you don’t got that kind of money, just say that.”
“I got the pape’, Temp. Don’t try to lil dog me.
If I’m spending that kind of bread, then we must be getting married down there too.
” He sized me up while licking his lips.
I had to laugh because there was no way in hell I’d marry Nate.
I saw the red flags all over him when he grabbed me that night at the club.
He clearly had a hand problem and had bitch fits when he didn’t get his way.
I saw the toxicity. I’d rather get my foot chopped off than be locked down by someone like that.
“She’s already spoken for, homie.” I spun around and saw Solomon sitting in a chair by the dressing room.
He was dressed in some navy-blue tailored slacks, rust-colored Allen Edmonds oxford dress shoes, a matching belt, and a tailored white button-down.
He had one ankle resting on his knee, sitting coolly with a magazine in his hand, not even looking up at us.
Looking like his name should be Zaddy McSnackmeal.
Jesus. You did your big one with this man. I thought, trying hard not to lick my lips.
“What?” Nate asked. “Temp, who is this nigga?”
“The nigga that’s gon’ run you a fade if you don’t go find something else to do, because you won’t be doing my wife.” His eyes finally met mine, and the look on his face made it seem like he was two seconds from doing what he’d said he’d do in that text.
“Solomon, stop—” He was in my face in a flash, slicing my sentence into two words.
Nate stepped closer to me. “Aye, nigga. You need to get the fu—” Before I could blink, Solomon chopped Nate in the neck. My eyes ballooned as I watched Nate grab his throat and keel over, choking.
“What are you doing?” I pushed his chest, but he didn’t budge. His eyes came to me and lowered when they roamed my body.
“What you gotta know is that I’m not playing about you. I marked you, so from this day forward, we’re going to start our journey to forever. You will not be entertaining this clown or the likes of him moving forward.”
I blinked rapidly, completely baffled by his audacity. “Are you out of your mind? You think you can ignore me for weeks then expect me to just come running into your arms like I miss you?”
“Precisely.”
“You’re nuts.”
“And I also meant what I said. I’ll explain everything on our way to shop in Milan.”
“Motherfucka, you ain’t going nowhere with her,” Nate choked out.
“If you know what’s good for you, you’d walk the fuck away.”
He just cursed. He must be really mad.
“Is everything okay over here, boss?” Two security guards walked over, flanking Solomon’s side.
“No, it’s not. This gentleman needs to be escorted out of here expeditiously.”
“Let’s go, sir,” one of the guards said, reaching for Nate.
“Don’t fucking touch me! Temp, this what you on?”
“I-I’m—”
“Exactly what she’s on. Beat it before I beat you.” The guard dragged Nate away, and I stood there stunned to silence.
“Let’s go.” Solomon took my hand and led me out of the store and out of the revolving doors of the mall. I wanted to scream, yell, tell him off, but I couldn’t. His movements, his presence, and that hidden gangsta inside of him had me speechless.
I knew then that Solomon’s sweet and beautiful personality had another side.
And I liked it.