“First the restaurant, now this.” I tilt my head. “You can’t like plants this much.”
“No, but my girl does.”
Swoon.The phrasemy girlhas me wanting to flutter my eyelashes and act like a prepubescent teenage girl at her first BTS concert, not someone in her mid-twenties who finds giggling over celebrities not worth it. You see one chew with his mouth open, another burp loud enough for the next two tables to hear, and the shine wears off quickly.
It’s like Jabari has the Midas touch, and I’m seeing gold stars in all he does.
He buys our tickets. I’m practically giddy as we enter the foyer, which immediately has doors leading out to the main garden. The sun is shining brilliantly, and the flowers seem to be putting on a show. My phone is out before there’s a cognizant thought as I snap a picture of each and every single flower, vine, and plant.
Jabari snatches my cell from my hand.
“I need that,” I shout.
“Val, ‘let’s use our mind cameras.’” Jabari smirks and points to his temple.
He’s so adorable, I can’t help but laugh. “Is that quote fromBlack-ish?”
“It is. I like that show. It’s on repeat all the time because I rememberevery episode and don’t need to see the details to remember how funny it is.”
My heart hurts for him, but also, this sounds like he’s beginning to accept this way of life. “That was a good episode.”
The rest of the time, I take mental pictures as we slowly walk around the garden. My brain takes in Jabari in his blue Warriors sweats. How my own dark blue leggings and tunic top matches his casual attire perfectly. The way the sun lights every step, and how the flowers bloom beautifully. I don’t want this moment to end.
I lean my head against his arm, and Jabari pulls me close, slowing his steps to match my pace.
“When we get back home, can I see you again?” Jabari asks.
“You can see me every day if you want.”
“I want.”
I hum with pleasure.
“Hey, Javier invited me to his church. Would you like to join me next Sunday?”
He’s going to church again? I straighten and look up at his profile. “What time?”
“I think he said ten.”
“That sounds great.”
“Good.” He flashes his straight teeth at me. “He assures me I’ll like it.”
“You’re really good friends with the guys, aren’t you?”
“We’re like brothers, honestly. Not every team has such good camaraderie, but the Warriors...” His voice trails off as he tugs at his beard. “The team will show up for every high and low. The whole organization is intent on ensuring we all feel like one big happy family. Even the staff who work on the business side are encouraged to come to our games and support us. They hold parties for the players and the entire organization. It’s great.”
We walk around until we’ve covered every inch of the grounds. My stomach growls as we exit the building, and Jabari chuckles. I join him, thankful we can laugh about the loud noise that’s rumblingfrom me like a bear. With him, embarrassment is never a thought. I’m so comfortable in his presence, and that’s something I don’t really feel with anyone else.
“Guess I’m hungry.”
“Do you want some lunch?”
“Not really.” Of course my stomach makes itself known and tries to make me out to be a liar. “Ignore it.”
“Are there any food places around us?”
I look around, being his eyes. “There’s a roadside hot dog stand.”
