Chapter 11 No More Running #4
She remembered the first night.
Your feelings don't decide whether you get to be safe.
Then the second.
Trust yourself.
Now she did.
"Okay."
Tan blinked.
"Okay?"
"You asked."
"I did."
"And I said yes."
He smiled.
Fully.
Amari noticed immediately how handsome he became when that reserved expression disappeared.
"Oh."
"What?"
"Nothing."
"You said oh."
"I didn't know you had dimples too."
Tan touched his cheek reflexively.
"I don't."
"You do."
"No."
Amari laughed.
"You're arguing with your own face."
Tan shook his head.
"So dinner?"
"Yes."
"Saturday?"
"Saturday works."
"Seven?"
"Seven."
"I'll pick you up."
Amari hesitated.
Tan noticed.
"We can meet there."
She smiled gratefully.
"Meet there."
"Perfect."
He took out his phone.
She gave him her number.
He entered it.
Then Amari stared.
"What?"
"You didn't have my number saved?"
Tan frowned.
"Why would I?"
"From the police report."
Tan's expression became serious.
"I would never use information from a police report to contact you personally."
The answer was immediate.
Amari stared at him.
Something warm settled in her chest.
She hadn't realized she was testing him until he passed.
"Good answer."
"It's the only answer."
"Even better."
She handed him her phone.
"Put yours in."
He did.
She looked down at the contact.
Tan David.
Then changed it.
Tan watched.
"What are you doing?"
She showed him.
T – Avocado Police
He laughed loudly enough for a woman nearby to glance over.
"That's terrible."
"It's accurate."
"You were the one policing my avocados."
"Exactly."
She pushed her cart away.
"Saturday, Officer Avocado."
Tan watched her walk.
He definitely noticed the curves this time.
There was no emergency to pretend otherwise.
Amari glanced over her shoulder.
Caught him.
Tan immediately looked toward the avocados.
She burst out laughing.
"You got caught!"
"I was looking at the produce."
"Sure."
Her laughter followed her down the aisle.
Tan stood there holding an avocado he no longer remembered choosing.
A smile slowly spread across his face.
His phone buzzed.
A text.
Amari: Get the darker green ones. You're welcome. ??
Tan stared at it.
Then typed.
Tan: I had it handled.
Three dots appeared.
Amari: You absolutely did not.
Tan laughed.
He placed the hard avocado back and selected the one she'd recommended.
Then his phone buzzed again.
Amari: And don't be late Saturday.
Tan replied.
Tan: Police officers are known for punctuality.
Amari: Police officers are known for paperwork. Don't impress yourself.
Tan shook his head.
He liked her.
That realization didn't frighten him.
It intrigued him.
That night, Terrence called while Tan was preparing dinner.
"You busy?"
"Cooking."
"Should I alert the fire department?"
Tan smiled.
"I know how to cook."
"Your mother wants to know if you're coming Sunday."
"Yeah."
"Good."
Tan opened the refrigerator.
Terrence heard something in his voice.
"What happened?"
"Nothing."
"Tan."
"What?"
"You sound weird."
"I don't sound weird."
"You sound happy."
"That's weird?"
"For you on a Thursday after SWAT training?"
Tan laughed.
Terrence grew suspicious.
"There's a woman."
Tan stopped.
"Why does everybody in this family think they're detectives?"
"I'm actually a detective now, son."
"That's beside the point."
Terrence laughed.
"Who is she?"
"Nobody yet."
"So there is somebody."
Tan rubbed his forehead.
"I ran into someone I met before."
"Where?"
"Grocery store."
"Who?"
Tan hesitated.
Terrence caught it.
"Wait."
Silence.
"Domestic violence woman?"
Tan stared at the phone.
"How do you remember that?"
"You told me about the call."
"I never gave you her name."
"You just confirmed it."
Tan closed his eyes.
"I hate you."
Terrence laughed loudly.
"Your mother's gonna lose her mind."
"Do not tell Mama."
"Absolutely telling your mama."
"Dad."
"Son."
"I'm serious."
"So am I."
Tan sighed.
"We're having dinner Saturday."
"Good."
"That's it."
"Good."
"Don't make it into something."
"I'm not."
"You already are."
Terrence's voice softened.
"Tan?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm glad."
Tan leaned against the counter.
"Why?"
"You spend a lot of time protecting everybody else."
Terrence paused.
"It wouldn't hurt to have somebody in your life who cares about you."
Tan became quiet.
"It's one date."
"I know."
"Could be terrible."
"Could."
"She might hate me."
"Possible."
"You're not helping."
Terrence laughed.
Then he added,
"Just don't take your mother's advice."
"What advice?"
"She's gonna tell you flowers."
"Flowers are normal."
"Then she's gonna tell you cologne."
"I already own cologne."
"Then she'll tell you to wear the blue shirt because it brings out your skin tone."
Tan stared at nothing.
"She already texted me."
Terrence burst out laughing.
"You told her!"
"I had to."
"You lasted thirty seconds!"
"Marriage."
"Traitor."
"Love you too."
Tan hung up.
Seconds later, his phone buzzed.
Mama: Wear the navy button-down Saturday. NOT that black shirt you always wear. And take flowers. Not roses. Too much for a first date. Maybe tulips.
Another message.
Mama: Also get a haircut.
Tan laughed.
Then another.
Grandma: Your mama told me you got a date. Bring the girl to Sunday dinner if she's nice.
Tan stared at the screen.
"Dad."
He didn't even need to call.
The entire family probably knew already.
And somewhere across the city, Amari stood in front of her closet holding two dresses while Simone sat on her bed offering unwanted commentary.
"The green one."
Amari frowned.
"Why?"
"Shows your curves."
"I'm not trying to show everything."
"Girl, you're a size sixteen, not invisible."
Amari rolled her eyes.
Simone pointed toward her.
"You spent two years with a man making comments every time you looked too good."
Amari became quiet.
Simone softened.
"Wear what makes you feel beautiful."
Amari looked at the dresses.
Then smiled.
"The red one."
Simone gasped.
"Oh, Officer David is in trouble."
Amari laughed.
"Stop."
"I'm serious."
"It's dinner."
"Mmm-hmm."
"One dinner."
"Sure."
Amari hung the red dress on the closet door.
Her smile remained long after Simone turned away.
For the first time in years, she wasn't nervous because she feared what a man might do.
She was nervous because she was excited about what might happen.
There was a difference.
A beautiful one.