“Oh?” I didn’t answer right away. I just smiled and tilted my head. She caught it immediately. “Mhm. I see it in your face. You got somebody new.”
I chuckled and shook my head. “I’ll tell you ‘bout her one day if shit goes anywhere. Right now, we just kickin’ it.”
“I bet. Be safe, son.”
“Always, Ma. Love you.” We hugged, I kissed her cheek again, and then I headed out. As much as I loved seeing my mama, I couldn’t lie. I was ready for the evening to hurry up and get here.
Hours later, I sat on the couch bumping Duffle Bag Trappy’sTalk About Itwhile I rolled up a couple of blunts to take with me. I had on some Black Amiri jeans, a white tee, and red and black Jordan 1s. I threw on a black varsity jacket, spritzed on some cologne, then grabbed the bottle of Patrón I bought for her and slid it in a red gift bag with the red and pink tissue paper.
Before I walked out, I sent her a text letting her know I was on the way. I stared at the screen for a second before shaking my head with a smirk. “She really don’t know what she in for,” I muttered to myself. I tossed the phone in my pocket and walked out the door like a man on a mission because I was.
I nap l u s htowel, I finished plating the last of the food and stepped back to look over everything. The steak bites were done perfectly, the garlic mashed potatoes were buttery, and the asparagus was roasted just right.
I made sure the lights were low and the candles were lit before starting the playlist I made. The scent of vanilla, brown sugar, and honey butter floated through my apartment. I glanced at the clock on the wall to see that it was a little after six. I still had time to shower and slip into my lingerie before Ahmad arrived. As I walked toward the bathroom, my phone started ringing in my hand.
I glanced at the screen and rolled my eyes before answering. “Hey, Ma.”
“Mmm,” she said. “You sound like you’re busy.”
“Iambusy,” I replied, holding the phone between my shoulder and ear as I stepped out of my clothes and turned the water on. “Just tryna get myself together.”
“For who?” she asked immediately, all up in it. “You got somebody coming over?”
I laughed and stepped into the shower. “Why are you like this?”
“Because Iknowyou,” she said. “It’s Valentine’s Day, and I can hear the music in the background, too. Setting the mood, huh?”
I shook my head, smiling to myself as I set the phone on the sink and put it on speakerphone. “Maybe.”
She hummed. “That means yes. It’s okay, Tae. You’re grown. I just hope he has a job and clean fingernails.”
“Goodbye,” I laughed, lathering my skin with my coconut and vanilla scrub. “You’re doing the most.”
“I’m just saying! I don’t want you wasting time with nobody’s dusty ass son, especially not on Valentine’s Day. You’ve always been secretive about your little love life.”
“Because you don’t have boundaries,” I said, rinsing off. “You start asking too many questions, and next thing I know, you’re sending links to bridal shower venues.”
“Well… am I wrong?” she said, and I could hear her grinning.
I ignored that, stepping out of the shower to dry off, and walked to the mirror. My phone buzzed with a text from Ahmad.
I texted him back immediately.
“Tae,” my mom said. “At least tell me his name.”
“I’ll tell you when I’m ready.”
“So, thereissomebody!”
I groaned. “You’re annoying. Byeee!”
“You’re secretive. But I’ll let you live,” she said, sighing like she had just made the ultimate sacrifice. “But he better not break your heart. You hear me?”
“I hear you.”
“I just want you to be happy.”
“I know,” I said, softer this time. “I really do know.”
