It was one in the morning, and I trusted Langston with my life, but I was home and available to protect my woman myself. She slid into the car while I went in to close up. I was back in 15 minutes and found Halo sleeping, with a slight smile on her face.
Omni was right.
I was all in.
And I wasn’t going anywhere.
By day three of the new year, that whole new-year-new-me energy was hitting way too real. That date had taken over every spare corner of my brain, paying rent on time. Not just the kissing, even though the kissing had me in a chokehold, but him watching me across that table, choosing me without saying a word. The rooftop honesty. His hands exploring. His mouth on my thighs, pulling every reaction he aimed for.
I didn’t feel exposed. I didn’t feel embarrassed. I just felt… wanted. In a way that Josh Higgins could never. But now I was sitting in my apartment on my day off, freaking out a little. I’d finally realized we skipped a whole step.
We went straight from first date to him having both hands locked around my thighs without really talking about what we were doing. What this was. Where it was headed. What he meant by retiring.
We’d been talking every day. His good-morning texts had me grinning like a teenager. The late-night calls after his games always ran longer than either of us meant them to. Then the random photos, his food on the road, my dog in that collar he bought, the sunset from the station roof. It was smooth. No pressure. But I missed him for real. His laugh, his voice, the focused way he paid attention to me like he was trying to understand every part.
Slow was cute, slow was safe, but I missed his face.
So I reached out.
Me:Did you eat lunch yet?
The response didn’t even take five seconds.
My One and Only:I haven’t. Why? You tryna feed me?
Me:Maybe. What’s your office address?
Three dots. Gone. Back. Gone again. I could practically see him arguing with himself in that glass office. He’d already told me he was going to be in the office while he had time. I don’t know why he was being weird.
My One and Only:1500 Piedmont Center. 10th floor. You really coming?
Me:Yes, but only if you want me to.
My One and Only:Angel, I always want you to come.
I stopped pacing and blushed.
Me:Behave. I’m bringing food.
My One and Only:Yes ma’am. But just so you know, I’m clearing the rest of my afternoon.
Me:Don’t you have work?
My One and Only:Nothing more important than kicking it with you.
I bit my lip to keep from smiling too hard, then grabbed my keys and headed out.
Piedmont Center wasn’t far from me, and it was on the way to one of my favorite restaurants. I grabbed some lunch from Sabines and headed towards his office.
I stood outside in awe of the building before me. Fifteen stories of glass and steel and marble floors that echoed when you walked. I stepped inside wearing a wrap skirt, a cream sweater, a brown coat, heeled boots, and gold accessories. I was giving wholesome, grown, and softly flexing. My browns and creams were hitting too. I couldn’t wait to see his reaction when he saw me. The way a man looked at you said a lot, and I was living for his reactions.
The elevator took forever. When the doors opened, a reception area straight off Pinterest greeted me. Floor-to-ceiling windows, marble, modern furniture, and a bigBryns Incorporatedlogo on the back wall. He was really that nigga. And he was mine… well, almost. That was why I was here.
The receptionist looked up, smiling; it was clear she already knew who I was.
“Ms. Grant, right?” I nodded. “He said you might stop by. Come on.”
I wasn’t prepared for her excitement, but it was adorable. She walked me down a hallway that radiated generational wealth, glass offices, a gym,and a lounge. I passed by Omni’s office and smiled. I already loved her. Adult friendships sometimes hit differently. And Omni was starting to become one of my favorite people to hang out with.
