“He’s going to call you!” She calls out.
I look over my shoulder at Lily. She’s watching us walk away with a smile on her face.
“What’s wrong with you?”
Zea shrugs. “You’re moving too slow. You keep painting and moving tables. That’s not gonna get her back if you don’t say anything to her. When did you two last speak?”
“It’s been over a year.”
“Really? Why’d you break up?”
“I already told you.”
“You gave me a basic answer. What’s the real reason?”
We were all in VIP, vibing and drinking. I was hanging with the starting five, and Lily was with the wives and girlfriends. I thought we were all having a good night.
Then Lily tapped me on the shoulder. My song was on. I was in the zone, moving to the music. I thought she wanted to dance, but she told me Tank’s long-time girlfriend said something to her that she didn’t like.
At the time, it felt like middle school shit. Something small you could ignore and move past, but Lily didn’t see it that way.
She didn’t make a scene like any of the other women would have. She just left. I think she got a rideshare. I never asked.
I just accepted that she left and kept on having fun.
I shake my head. “I really messed that up.”
“Damn, I’d be cold to you too. That was raggedy.”
I frown at her. “Don’t you think I know that?”
I replay it in my mind a lot, thinking of the many ways I could’ve reacted.
“Have you apologized? Or do you think moving tables and chairs and popping up on her is the way to her heart?”
I stop walking. I hate how she’s right more than she’s wrong. Lily cut me off the one time I tried to talk to her. I haven’t tried since.
“Damn.”
If I talk to her, and she dismisses me, then what?
“Yeah, and don’t text her either. Call her on the phone. But don’t FaceTime without warning. That’s rude.”
“I know that.” I don’t even know what to say to Lily. And I’m not sure if she’ll answer my call. She has every right to send me to voicemail like I left her on read.
Zea was smiling widely when I dropped her off.. We even bought a couple of things for her mom, because why not? I’m in the business of making women happy these days.
But there’s one woman that I can’t seem to figure out anymore. I’m lost on how to approach or what to do about Lily.
I have her contact pulled up on my phone.
Zea is right. I need to call.
I haven’t spoken to her one-on-one, just the two of us, in over a year. That’s ridiculous. I gotta man up.
How do you say, I’m sorry I didn’t text you back a year ago?
I’m sorry I didn’t take you seriously a year ago.
