“Aw. You did this for me.”
The bathroom is aglow with the candles I lit to set the mood.
“I want to relax you from your day. Later on, we’ll have our first official date at one of the restaurants I found for us to try.”
I wipe the lone tear that falls from her left eye and proceed to undress her. When she’s bare before me, I help her into the bubble bath I drew for her.
“I thought we already had our first date.” Deshona’s eyes are clouded as they twinkle in the glow from the candles strategically placed around the bathroom.
“That was your idea, and although I didn’t dispute it, you weren’t mine at the time, so it doesn’t count.”
The area around her eyes, which had been tight and strained a minute ago, eases as a bright, soul-stirring smile slides into place. Deshona’s smile is one of the things I enjoy basking in whenever she grants me the opportunity to see it.
“As amazing as this is, can you stay and keep me company?”
My lips twist and upturn as an easy smile forms before I sit next to the tub and cross my legs over my ankles.
“Today was bad, and I haven’t had one like this in a long time. Three of my clients have threatened to find another sales representative, and it’s not my fault. The manufacturer didn’t follow through with the products as they were supposed to. But it’s easy to blame and fault me, I guess. Ugh.”
Her smile disappears, and my chest tightens as I frown at seeing the displeasure that’s changed her countenance.
“How about we talk about something else. The workday is over, and the point of this moment is to shift you into something lighter and more peaceful.”
“You’re right. Okay. Let’s focus on us. When’s your birthday, and how important is it to you? My brother treats it as just another day. Are you like that, or do you have another opinion about your birthday?”
“Sounds like I need to memorize and put your birthday on my calendar. From your statements, I’m gonna assume that I need to make your day a national holiday. To answer your questions, May 19this my birthday, and I don’t need any fanfare. Every day is a gift to me, so I don’t need anything special on that day.”
“Oh, I’m very extra when it comes to my birthday. I once broke up with a guy because he forgot and then bought me some dead store dandelions the next day. I mean, what guy buys his woman dandelions? Hell, if I wanted those, all I had to do waswait until Mom’s grass became overgrown and pluck my fill from her yard.”
A low chuckle escapes my mouth when Deshona’s face contorts, and her nose twists like something foul is in the air.
“Duly noted. Let me grab my phone so I don’t make the same mistake.” I stand to my full height and leave the bathroom to retrieve my phone.
It takes me less than a minute to do so and return to my position as I open my calendar app.
“Alright. What day is my new favorite holiday, mama?”
“Ooh, I like the way you think. August 26th.”
I record the date, and my forehead wrinkles as realization slams into me.
“Wait. Your birthday is in two weeks. You set me up, woman.”
Deshona laughs hysterically, and the sound bounces around the room like a bass drum, and all I can do is join in. My mind spins with ideas for making her birthday memorable. Unexpected doesn’t mean I can’t do my big one. I’m not only the new man in her life but also the man who needs to show this woman how special holidays are in my world.
“Oops, my bad. We’re new, so you don’t have to do anything this time around. But if we’re still together next year, I expect the red-carpet rollout.”
“Damn. You’re already giving my ass an expiration date. You’re cold-blooded.”
More giggles sound from Deshona as I shake my head while I shift ideas around in my head about how to flex my skills for her birthday. Deshona’s humor eases the tension in my shoulders that her bad day had caused.
“Any other dates I need to lock in of importance? I clearly need to get ahead of shit with you because you already have plans to dismiss my ass.”
“No. Other than my birthday, I’m pretty chill. You haven’t noticed that I like to chill with a movie, coloring book, or regular book?” Deshona’s smile is radiant, making the candles’ glow seem even brighter.
“If you’ve noticed, that’s my style too. Well, the movie and chill anyway. I don’t know about reading or coloring.”
“I’m gonna have you doing both, messing with me.”
