Page 9 of Going for Three

Vari slowly sipped from his drink before crossing his legs and leaning forward. “You know better than anyone that the media paints the picture they want you to see. I think you should at least give him the chance to prove what type of timing he’s on. If he ain’t on shit, then at least you can say you tried.”

Almost on cue, my phone vibrated with a notification. I picked up my phone to see it was something from Kinga. Unlocking my phone and selecting it led me to a story post. Kianis was sweaty as if he’d just finished practice.

“I got a date with the most beautiful girl in the world tonight. Y’all think she’s going to stand me up? I’ma be pissed if she do ‘cause I planned something playa as fuck. She gon’ remember this night for the rest of her life. That’s a fact.”

The second video showed him in the back of a black Eskimo truck. He panned the camera down to his designer fit, looking every bit of fine with his freshly tapered hair and moisturized brown skin. He had his diamond grills in, of course, with all thejewelry he owned. But what really got me was what he said next that made my heart skip a beat of excitement.

“On my way to you, pretty girl. Get ready, and stop overthinking.”

Javari made an “oop” sound from the other side of the room. When I glanced up, his hand was covering his mouth in shock. I wished I could hide my smile, but it was too late they all saw it.

“That man is not playing with you.”

I giggled with a sigh. “I see that.” With a quick shrug I made my decision. “Let me go get ready so I can fuck around and find out what he’s really on.”

When I walked outsideof my condominium building, the wind entangled my hair in its grasp before sticking to my lip gloss. By the time I cleared my view, the driver Kianis sent was standing there with the door of the Eskimo truck open. Pulling out my phone, I quickly started recording content. I inhaled my excitement and exhaled all my nerves. I paused when I made it to the open door to find a backseat full of roses instead of my date for the night.

“Awww.” I sniffled.

Leaning forward, I picked up the little note on the seat.

Thank you for giving me a chance. Get in and bring your beautiful ass here right now.

I tucked it to my chest barely containing my smile. I could only pray his efforts were from a genuine place. Panning the camera to my face, I was vulnerable to my audience.

“Y’all think this man for real? He just sent you a black truck filled with roses. You staying or going?” I winked at the camera then panned it back around as I climbed inside.

The moment I was secured in my seat, I Facetimed Vari. He answered on the first ring.

“Bitchhh!” It was all I could say.

I quickly flipped the camera before he could even ask any questions. Vari sat up in bed, knocking the covers off his bare sculpted chest. My friend didn’t play with his fitness. I understood that more than anyone because this man had me snatched.

“Okay then, Mr. Most Likely to Win. It can only get better from here. You deserve this, best friend.”

I turned the camera back around to myself, trying to keep my tears at bay.

“Girl, I’on know what I’m about to get myself in to, but I can’t resist it.”

He shrugged. “Maybe because you’re not supposed to. It’s okay to be hopeful and excited. That energy is literally so yummy. I wish I could bottle it up.”

I giggled with a sigh of relief. Quickly swabbing my eyes, I lifted the camera so he could see me.

“Is my makeup still giving?”

“Baddest in the room? You know it is. Call me when the date is over. You’re going to love what he has planned. It’s so thoughtful and cutesy.”

I frowned then brought the camera closer. “And how would you know that?”

“I’on know shit. Bye, nosy ass ho.”

I laughed knowing he was pissed that he slipped up. Now, I was even more curious about this date. I sat back in my seat, allowing every muscle in my body to uncoil. I fell in love with the city whipping by in a blur of magical colors. Solaire had acharming allure about it. From the interstate, I had the perfect view of the skyline with the setting sun illuminating every inch of the sky I could see.

At that moment, I decided to believe—believe in beauty, believe in love, believe in Kianis, and I could admit it was terrifying to do so. Walking around with my guard up was how I protected myself from being hurt. It was how I sped up my recovery time when things didn’t work out.

At the same time, this was the most effort a man had put into courting me. I wanted to taste the sweetness of God’s goodness in this life, so I relaxed. I controlled my breathing and allowed myself to sink into a steaming bath of delightful possibilities.

The truck slowly came to a halt in the back of a building. I couldn’t see much apart from the alleyway. When my door came open, I expected to see my driver, but it was Kianis instead. Seeing him on video didn’t compare to seeing him in the flesh. Everything was more vibrant and alive, more perfect and precise than I realized on camera. When he smiled, showing that mouth full of diamonds, I swallowed a gulp of dry air. In an instant, I became more parched than ever before and knew only a glass of Kianis would satisfy me.

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