“You’re good,” I told him. “I’ll look around.”
I made my way to a bookshelf, and I eyed the titles. Almost all of them were sports books or biographies by sports figures.
“Tuesday is the only day I have off, so I can make it work, but it’s last-minute,” Lamar explained, before he burst out laughing. “I get it, I get it. But damn, E. Nah, I’m going to make it work.” He paused. “I’m going to ask her. Well, it’s not like you gave me time to plan it out. Your ass just told me about it!” He let out a loud laugh. “Yes, she’s real!”
With my interest piqued, I glanced over my shoulder at him.
“Uh-huh,” he mumbled. “Yeah… oh… true, true… oh, word?”
Figuring the conversation had shifted from me, I turned back toward the bookcase, and that’s when I noticed the bookends.
He had photos inside block-shaped frames. Pictures of him with his mother, Bill, and other members of his family were displayed. Gingerly, I picked up a Little League photo of Lamar and a man I instantly knew was his father.
They look just alike.
The proud looks on their faces said so much as little Lamar held up a trophy almost as big as he was. The way his dad was smiling, that trophy could’ve been a Super Bowl ring.
“I’m going to ask her, and then I’ll hit you back,” Lamar said, again grabbing my attention. “Aight, hold on.” He hit a button and then looked up at me. “I muted the call.” He held it up to show me. “Erickson and Tara are flying in on Tuesday, and they want to have dinner with us. I know it’s last-minute, so I’d understand if you can’t make it. But I’d love for you to be there.”
I grinned. “I’d love to be there.”
“You sure? I don’t want you tired on your way to work on Wednesday.”
“If you can go to work tired on Wednesday, so can I,” I reasoned. “Besides, I’m looking forward to meeting your friends.”
“They’re looking forward to meeting you, too.” He smirked and unmuted the phone. “She said she’ll come.” His shoulders shook as he laughed. “Aight, I’m gonna get back to her, but I’ll see you Tuesday.”
He ended the call and then shook his head. “I’m sorry about that.”
I walked back toward the couch. “It gave me a chance to check out your photos.” Jutting my thumb over my shoulder, I widened my eyes. “Boy, you look just like your daddy!”
Lamar chuckled. “Yeah, that’s what they say.”
“I really like this space,” I told him, taking everything in. I ran my fingers along the back of the couch. “And this looks comfortable. May I?”
“Of course.” He smirked, folding his arms over his chest as he watched me. “Anything you want.”
I sat down on the couch and then the love seat. “This is really nice.”
“Thank you.”
I ran my hand over the seat next to me, gliding my fingertips over the buttery-smooth material. Part of me wanted him to sit next to me while I shared my truth with him. But the other part of me wanted him on the couch so I could have more space between us and I could look him in his eyes.
If we’re touching, I might forget what I need to say.
“I like this spot. Where’s your spot?” I wondered.
His smirk gave way to a smile. “Where you are now.”
My eyebrows shot up. “Are you serious?”
“Yeah.” He licked his lips. “I guess that’s just one of the many things we have in common.”
I found myself grinning.
“Sit so we can talk,” I insisted. “I’ll let you get your spot back.”
“It can be yours.”
