“Only five months, which is helping me to let go of the heartache quicker than I would if more time were invested.”
For five months, goofy played in this woman’s face, and the only thing I want to do is send him a congratulatory cigar, thanking him for fucking up.
“I want you to think of it like this: His loss will always set you up for the right man’s gain.”
“Trust me, I know and believe that I’m the prize. The struggle was coming to the knowledge of unknowingly being in a position I would have never agreed to had I been given the heads-up directly.”
“You better pop your shit then, Ziya.” A smirk slides into place, and my body heats when Caziya’s eyes flash with merriment.
“Ooh, bad word,” Kiki sings like a parrot, breaking my eye contact with Caziya.
Zakiyah’s little face is a mask of offense as her spoon hovers in front of her mouth, and it hangs open slightly. A low chuckle escapes my mouth because my baby is the profanity police when it comes to me. But if she hears anyone else cuss, she lets it slide without comment or correction. I often feel like my daughter is the person Big Homie sent in my life to humble me and keep me grounded.
“I’m sorry. I won’t say any more, okay?”
Zakiyah nods wordlessly before returning to her ice cream as I look over at Caziya, whose lips are upturning like she’s trying not to smile or laugh at the exchange between Kiki and me. Leaning slightly toward Caziya, I speak in a low tone for her ears only, hopeful that Zakiyah is still occupied by the ice cream she’s almost done consuming.
“I think you should give me your number so we can talk later, and I won’t have to worry about filtering my speech.”
“I could, but how do I know that you won’t find another excuse to disappear like you did after our first unfiltered conversation?”
A low chuckle escapes, and I shake my head at the subtle dig because I should have been expecting her to mention my disappearing act.
“Seeing you today was the confirmation Big Homie sent for me to know that that night wasn’t a fluke or happenstance. Now, if you want to let fate dictate when I get those digits, we can leave this here. But I don’t see the need to delay the inevitable. Nevertheless, the ball is in your court.”
I don’t want to leave this parlor without having Caziya’s ten digits, but I will if she’s not willing to exchange numbers with me. I disconnect our eye contact and return to my meltingcreamery, all while silently praying that I won’t have to tuck my tail out of this establishment.
“I’m open to engaging with you beyond this moment, so you can have my number. However, if I were you, I wouldn’t let another seven days pass before you utilize it.”
Mentally, I pump my fist while pulling out my phone to add Caziya’s number, because I’ll be damned if either of us walks out these doors without the opportunity to further this new dynamic between us.
“I’m ready.”
“Okay. My number is 380-619-1186.”
My fingers have never moved so quickly recording a number like they did when Caziya recites her digits. Hell, I’m seconds from screaming while jumping up and down from the excitement coursing through me. Once I have her stored in my phone, I send a message so she will have my number too.
Me:
Be ready because I’m gonna hit you up once I put baby girl to bed.
“Alright, this has been informative and pleasant. I’m going to get out of here so I can get myself ready for work in the morning,” Caziya says as I nod, before the three of us head toward the exit.
Silence carries us to the parking lot, where, ironically, Caziya and I are parked next to each other. When she hits her key fob to unlock her door, I pull open the door, allowing her to get in.
“Still a gentleman, I see,” she says, smiling.
“Always. This was fun, Ziya. Thank you for indulging me.”
“You’re welcome. I enjoyed the company,” she tells me before her attention moves to Kiki. “Thank you for having ice cream with me, pretty girl. Be good for Daddy, okay?”
“Otay,” Kiki says, smiling.
“Get home safe, and I’ll be in touch soon.”
Caziya nods wordlessly before I shut the door and wait for her to pull off before helping Zakiyah into her car seat.
“Weepy, Daddy.” Zakiyah whines while rubbing her eyes.
