12. Journee
Hello, Friday . . .
Sincere and I have been talking every day, which makes me very eager to see him again.
I haven’t entertained a man of Sincere’s caliber, and it’s been refreshing and is giving me all the feels.
Today is special because it’s our official date despite our impromptu lunch encounters.
Sincere also has me curious about what he has planned, because dates that start in the afternoon but continue into the evening are foreign to me.
The only information Sincere gave me last night was that I would need two outfits.
When I asked for more details, he said the first part of the date would require me to dress comfortably and casually, but no heels.
The latter portion of our time together, I would also be relaxed, but if I wanted to put on stilettos, I could.
I was lost but managed to pull two outfits together that should fit the unknown experiences.
Both should give me a comfortable, stylish, and cute appearance for a first date.
Nevertheless, I’m ready to spend some time with Sincere and see what he’s come up with for us.
“First, you come over here supposedly to spend time with my grandbaby, interrupting our tea time. Now, you’re staring into space like you’ve been hit by a tranquilizer dart. What’s wrong with you?”
Mom’s unexpected voice cuts into my thoughts, instantly reminding me where I am and what I should be doing. It also causes me to realize that I haven’t asked her about keeping Milan tonight.
“I’m . . . I’m going on a date—this afternoon actually.” My words come out in somewhat of a scramble as I share the information with Mom for the first time.
“It’s about time. All you do is work and take care of my grandbaby. While there’s nothing wrong with it, it’s okay for you to get off the bench and play a little bit, within reason, of course. Your next one needs to post marriage.”
I laugh at Mom sliding in the part of her encouragement. I understand and feel her because single motherhood isn’t for the weak, and the next time I give birth, I need a man to be committed to sticking and staying longer than the cum used to fertilize the egg.
“You’re laughing, but I’m serious. I have placed you on the altar so much that Pastor told me that Heaven’s line is busy with the request.”
I laugh harder until I snort, which makes Mom break her serious demeanor and join in. My phone chimes before I have a chance to come up with a comeback. I pick up my phone and smile like my favorite celebrity has started following me on social media.
“Mm-hmm. I remember looking like that too. I’ll leave you to it.” Mom shakes her head and leaves the room.
It takes me a nanosecond to open the message from Sincere, my heart rate spiking at the sight of his name on the screen.
Sincere:
Hello, Ms. Journee. I thought you should know that I struggled so much to focus at work that my administrative assistant kicked me out. I’m heading home to get ready for this afternoon. I’m looking forward to today.
My mouth stretches to painful proportions from the smile that ensues upon reading the message.
Knowing that Sincere and I are dealing with the same level of distraction makes me schoolgirl giddy.
I’ve been on plenty of first dates, but something about this one with this man feels different in a good way.
Me:
So am I. Here’s my address: 24377 Daily Bread Rd Apt. F. What time should I be ready?
Sincere:
I’ll be picking you up at two thirty.
Me:
Okay. See you then.
A slight tinge of panic surges through me when I realize it’s just after noon and I need to get home to prepare.
I hop up from my seat like it’s on fire and go through the process of saying goodbye to my parents and my baby.
It takes a second, after I’m in my car, to realize I still haven’t asked Mom about keeping Milan overnight.
So I make a quick call, get her blessing, and drive home like a bat out of hell.
But I don’t have time to spare because Sincere will be at my apartment in a millisecond or so it seems.
Within thirteen minutes instead of the usual twenty, I rush through my front door, discarding clothes on my way to my bedroom.
Thank goodness I laid out my stuff before I left, or my room would look like a tornado hit it.
I’m grateful I had a mind to plan in advance as adrenaline fuels my blood as I rush to the bathroom for another shower.
Knocks at my front door force me to stop overthinking and analyzing how I look as I smooth my hands over my shorts.
I leave my room while taking several breaths on the way.
My head tingles, my shoulders are tight, my steps are wobbly despite wearing tennis shoes, and my hands are sweaty.
When I’m at the door, I reach up and run my hand over my pixie to ensure that none of my hairs have moved out of place in the short walk.
After a quick internal coach session, I unsecure the lock and turn the knob as I take in the fine specimen standing at attention.
I take Sincere in from head to toe as I try not to swallow my tongue the longer I stare. He’s in a blue long-sleeve flannel shirt, light-washed jeans, and some rugged boots that cause my brows to hike in question.
“Hm. You look great, but I’m hoping this wardrobe choice won’t be a regrettable one for either of us.”
“What do you mean? Where are we going?”
My mind spins with location and why my shorts, shirt, and tennis shoes could be a bad idea. Sincere provides more context before I can fall into the rabbit hole of analysis.
“We have reservations for Clem Stables. We’re going horseback riding.”
I take a step back as I look at him for a second to see if he’s serious or not. When he only smirks, I realize that he is.
“Oh. I’ve never been—don’t horses throw you off?”
Sincere’s face lights up like a Christmas tree as he chuckles, and the sound delights me. But my weary thoughts force me to stay in the moment.
“That’s a myth. You have nothing to worry about, Ms. Journee. I’ll protect you.”
My brain only hears the last three words as the beginning anxiety I was feeling eases from my body.
“Okay. Should I change into some jeans? I don’t have any of those types of boots, so I’ll have to keep on the shoes.” I point to the rugged boots he’s wearing, unsure of what to do.
“I think you’ll be good. Jeans are preferred, but we’re not going too far, and we need to hit the road so we don’t miss our time slot.”
I nod and quickly grab the second outfit from a small tote bag before we leave my apartment.
Jitters cause my stomach to flip and spin during the journey from my apartment to where Sincere is parked.
Calmness happens when Sincere opens the passenger door of his vehicle and waits for me to secure the seat belt before he moves to the driver’s side.
I’m not sure how this is going to go, but I’m excited.
Horseback riding on a first date? Sign me up.
I have a feeling that Sincere is about to move the bar for new experiences.
“So where is Clem Stables? I wasn’t aware that we had a place for horseback riding here.”
“We don’t. We’re heading to the outskirts of Ribax.”
“Wait, you’re taking me across city lines?”
While the question makes its way out of my mouth, it’s not from fear or anything of that sort.
I just have never had a man put this kind of thought into a first date.
Sincere is definitely about to have me side-eyeing my exes, because they played in my face.
Hell, I have a feeling that Sincere is about to have me erasing them from my memory bank.
When Milan asks me about dating, I’ll use Sincere to measure what she should expect a man to do for her.
A low chuckle from Sincere vibrates in my core as a smirk surfaces.
“Is that going to be a problem?”
“Not at all. I was just curious.”
“Ah. There’s nothing wrong with that. Thanks for confirming that I needed to think out of the box for what we did today.”
That you did, Mr. Esquire.
“You’re welcome.”
I sit back and enjoy the scenery on our drive to the first destination.
Being with Sincere right now has a new meaning since I know that he put real thought into our time together.
Happy feelings make me so comfortable that I lose sight of how long the drive takes.
But excitement bounces in my body when Sincere turns onto a dirt road surrounded by trees.
The closer we get to the front entrance, the more merriment rises within me.
I hop out of the vehicle the second Sincere is parked as I jog to the wooden fence where several horses are grazing.
Awe fills me because I have never seen a horse up close, and the ones I’m looking at now are so beautiful.
“I’m not sure what you’re used to, but don’t do that again, Journee.” Sincere’s voice sounds behind me, and I turn to see the disappointment in his countenance that matches his eyes.
Oop! See, this isn’t the peasants you’re used to, girl.
“Sorry about that.” Those three words are all I have, because explaining the low caliber I’m used to feels like overexplaining, as I’m sure he’s already come to the same conclusion.
“No worries. Come on, Mrs. Clem is waiting for us.” He extends his hand for me to take as the light returns to his eyes.
My heart thumps wildly in my chest with every step we take, and I see an older Black woman with a short, natural, tapered cut waiting for us. The salt and pepper in her hair gives her a regal look, and the smile she wears eases my nerves within seconds of reaching her.
“Welcome to Clem Stables. I’m Clementine Roberts.”