I jumped right in, talking to her about her birth plan, her preferences during the delivery, some strategies for her to increase her comfort, emotional support, partner support, and her postpartum plan.
After our talk, I moved her to the bed. We practiced some breathing patterns and a few positions that might help during labor. She complained about some pain in her hip area and a tightness that wouldn’t let up in her back. I beckoned her husband over and showed him how and where to massage her to give her some temporary relief. He knew his wife’s body well, so it only took a few suggestions from me for him to decipher what she needed. She gave me a smile of gratitude as her husband worked her sore body.
Interactions with patients were yet another thing that made me love my job.
During the workday, Quentin texted me and asked if I felt up to hanging out with him that night. Since he was one of my favorite people and I had a growing attraction to him, I didn’t hesitate to say yes. I texted him back about where he was taking me and what I should wear, and, of course, he was vague. He told me to dress casually, but other than that, he wouldn’t give me any other info. The thought of hanging out with him kept a smile on my face all day.
After work, I pulled into the driveway and headed into the house as quickly as I could, without looking like I was completely frantic. He must’ve been in his bedroom because I didn’t seehim at all as I hustled from the front door to the guest room. I wrapped up my hair, showered, then stood in front of the guest bed, eyeing at least seven different outfit options.
There was a light tap on the door and then Quentin’s voice. “Yo, E, I heard you get out the shower a half an hour ago. Don’t stress over your clothing choice. You’re gonna look good in anything you pick.”
He said I would look good, not fine. I caught the distinction, and it made me grin. “Gimme a hint, Q.”
I heard him huff out a sigh. “Jeans, lil mama. Jeans and your favorite top.”
I wanted to do something other than jeans. I grabbed my favorite flowy miniskirt. I was a slim girl. I didn’t have much curvature to speak of, but I grabbed the one skirt that gave the illusion that I had hips, thighs, and ass. I paired it with a soft pink off-the-shoulder blouse and slip-on sandals. I considered wearing my hair down but decided that with the early August humidity, it was best that I pulled it into a ponytail, so I did. Then I grabbed my crossbody bag and left the room.
Quentin waited at the front door looking appropriatelycountry boyin well-worn jeans, a graphic T-shirt, a baseball cap, and his cowboy boots. Maybe it was the fact that I was born and raised in the country that made me love that particular look so much. Other women might’ve had other opinions, but there wasn’t much sexier to me than a man in worn jeans and a baseball cap.
“Hey,” came out all soft and shy, which truly wasn’t my intention.
He grinned at me, showing me his dimples. “Hey.” His eyes swept up and down my body. “You look good.”
“Same.”
He grinned again. “Let’s go.”
We got in his pickup and hit the highway toward Londynville. “We’re going to Londynville?”
“Yeah. I saw something on my way home from work today, and I thought you would enjoy it.”
“That was thoughtful.” I didn’t ask any more questions, and the ride continued in silence until we arrived at Londynville Chops, which was one of my favorite restaurants. “You remembered?”
He pulled into a parking spot with ease. “Of course I remembered. We only had dinner here every time you had a special event in your life.”
“That’s true,” I said while cheesing. Each year for my birthday, for making the honor roll, for getting any kind of academic award, my parents always brought us to Londynville Chops. Because Quentin was Kobey’s best friend, he often tagged along with us. “I haven’t had them in years. I hope the food is still good.”
“It is,” he assured me, before hopping out of the truck and coming around to my side to help me out.
We walked inside and were quickly greeted. I was glad that I’d decided on the skirt, blouse, and sandals. It wasn’t a fancy restaurant, but it wasn’t a chain restaurant, either. In my outfit of choice, I didn’t feel over or underdressed. That immediately made me relax.
The hostess started to lead us when Quentin leaned up and said something to her that I couldn’t hear. She course corrected and led us to a less populated, more quiet section. She said her spiel, gave us a smile, and set two menus on the table. Quentin waited for me to take my seat before taking his.
“I was hoping it wouldn’t be too crowded tonight,” he commented.
It was a Saturday night. It was busy, but the section we were seated in had noticeably less patrons. “It’s good. I’m good,” Ipromised as I picked up one of the menus. The offerings were mostly the same as I remembered with the exception of a few new dishes. I always got the same thing, and even though it had been years, I wasn’t about to vary from the script. “Um, I’m having the steak bites.”
“Shocker,” he teased with a chuckle.
I waved him off dismissively. “Forget you. You have a good day at work today?”
He filled me in on his day. Saturday was mostly for children’s classes. He taught karate and jujitsu. They were kids, so there was always something hilarious to report—something they said or did. “What about you? After last night, I hope today was less stressful.”
“It was.” I gave him a rundown of my day. While I was talking, the waitress came over and took our orders. When she walked away, I trained my eyes on him. He met my gaze. “I slept really good last night, Q. It seems like I get the best sleep when I’m lying next to you.”
“You decided that sleeping in the guest room was best. I never asked you to stop sleeping in my bed.”
“I know.” I huffed out a sigh. “Q, can I talk honestly to you? Not as Kobey’s little sister or somebody you watched grow up. Not like somebody who lived through a life-altering, traumatic experience. Can I just talk to you as Eastley?”
