Aaliyah James:This summer when we went to see India Davis at The Lyric Lounge, and you had that sexy little two-piece number on!
Nina Ford:Okay, name another time!
Jazmyn Payne:I’m so weak! What is wrong with y’all?
Cackling, I put on a pair of strappy sandals with a chunkier heel instead of the shoes Aaliyah had suggested, and I felt sexy. After changing into a sensible pair of flats for the drive to Baltimore, I grabbed my overnight bag and rushed to my car.
Traffic was fine at first but then got thick as I approached my destination. Fortunately, I was pulling up to Lamar’s house right on time.
Jazmyn Payne:Hi! I’m outside! On time!
I switched my shoes and then grabbed my clutch. When I looked up, I saw him.
Wearing navy-blue pants and a blue-and-white button-up, Lamar was so handsome. The closer he came to me, the bigger the smile stretched across my face.
“Wow,” he breathed, looking me up and down as he approached.
He reached for my hand and pulled me close.
“Wow to you, too,” I complimented him back.
Tipping my chin with his free hand, he leaned down and kissed me softly. “I’m glad you’re here.”
“I’m glad to be here.”
A bundle of nerves fluttered my belly as he escorted me to his SUV. Seeing him for the first time since I’d told him I wanted to be with him was slightly awkward. I didn’t feel uncomfortable around him, but I felt exposed.
I know I said to act like it never happened, but damn.
Part of me wanted acknowledgement and the other part of me wanted to forget I said anything.
“What’s on your mind?” he asked as he opened the passenger-side door for me.
“What’s on yours?” I returned, unnerved by the way he seemed to read my thoughts.
His hand gripped my ass as he helped me into my seat. “You.” Reaching over me, his fingers skated over the extra fat on my belly as he hooked my seat belt for me. “You in this dress.” His hand gripped my hip. “You out of this dress.” He leaned forward and pressed his lips against mine. “You look beautiful.”
Before I could respond, he took a step back and closed my door. I settled into the buttery leather seats and waited for him to get in.
“Are you ready for the best wings you ever tasted?” he asked as he started the engine.
“You’ve been talking about these wings since we met. They better live up to the hype.”
With a chuckle, he reached over and rested his hand on my thigh. “I’m glad you were able to come tonight. And I’m glad my friends get to meet you.”
My stomach fluttered. “I’m glad I get to meet them, too.”
We arrived at Ember and Flame seven minutes before our reservation. Lamar dropped me off in front of the restaurant, and then he went to park in the parking garage down the street. Waiting for him, I noticed a mural on the building next door.
Oh wow.
“Damn,” Lamar said flirtatiously as he approached.
I spun around, grinning. “You like what you see?” I teased, allowing him to wrap his arms around me. “Before we go in, I want to get a picture of this.” It was a huge colorful display of a phoenix rising from the ashes. “I love it.” I pulled out my phone and snapped a picture.
“You want one with you in it?” Lamar asked.
I handed him my phone. “Yes, please.”
