Ansley woke up early Saturday morning.
She and Davis were spending the day together. It would be their first time connecting since his return to Georgia, and since Simeon revealed some truths about him. While she knew it wouldn’t make sense to some, she had every intention of going on this date with him and before it was over, she would confront him. He needed to see how it felt to be duped. To think she knew his intentions, only to find out that he wasn’t being forthright, really bothered Ansley.
He had a full day planned for them. She had been looking forward to this since Davis mentioned it, and after wising up to the mess he was pulling, she felt that she deserved to enjoy every second of it. First on the agenda was the Atlanta Botanical Gardens.
Ansley chose a pair of fitted jeans, a light, long sleeve blouse, and a light blazer since it was a bit windy outside. She took a final glance in the mirror and applied a sheer M.A.C. lip gloss. She sprayed on some Rebel Fleur perfume and was on her way.
Stepping onto the elevator to head to the parking garage, she rummaged through her tote bag for her car keys. I can’t find anything in this huge bag.
She sighed when her phone rang. By the time she located it, the call had gone to voicemail. Ansley checked her messages in case it was Davis.
“Ansley, this is Davis. I had to run a quick errand over in Midtown so I’m just going to meet you there. I can’t wait to see you.”
Ansley was disappointed. The original plan was that she would pick him up at his place. She was curious to see where and how Davis lived. Now that she knew he was fronting as two eligible bachelors, she wanted to know more about his lifestyle. Ansley believed that one could learn a lot about a person by their choices in home décor, music, even what was in the refrigerator. Yes, she wanted to be nosy, but there was always next time—if there was a next time.
Ansley got in her car and headed over to the botanical gardens. She thought about trying Simeon again, but decided against it considering she had a date with Davis and her dating him was an unresolved issue between them.
Ansley wasn’t sure if Simeon would agree to her plan or assume her sole purpose for going was to continue dating him. This was not the case. Ansley intended to pretend like everything was copasetic, and then call him out to see if he would be honest.
Arriving at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, seemed to drive away her anxiety over seeing him. The chemistry between her and Davis was strong. They walked and talked along the budding red roses, the dancing tulips and finally they entered the exotic orchid garden. This was Ansley’s favorite site at the Gardens thus far.
“I absolutely love orchids. I can just stay in this area for hours. It’s so tranquil,” she said, looking up into Davis’s eyes.
“I’m glad we are sharing this together.”
“I thought you had come here before?”
“Nope,” Davis said. “I heard about it from a friend and thought it would be romantic. Just think about it, this is just the first part of our date—there’s more to come. They have an orchid drawing class at ten o’clock; we can make it if we hurry.”
“Oh, I’m down. Let’s go.” She beamed.
He scanned the program and screwed up his face. “Uh…on second thought, maybe we should walk around a little more. I need a little more commitment from you before I spend a hundred and eighty dollars.”
“Oh…yeah. And my love is not for sale,” she said before laughing. “It’s cool. I’m fine with walking around. There’s plenty to see.”
They continued from one floral exhibit to the next sculpted art piece, from the desert rose to the Algerian iris. They explored every bud and bloom the gardens had to offer.
She was impressed with his knowledge about horticulture and botany. He told her that his mother had a green thumb, and gardening with her heightened his exposure and interest in plants and flowers. “Does your mother have a garden?” Ansley asked.
“No, but she used to plant flowers in my grandmother’s yard. We lived in the city, but I’m sure if mom had one of her own that she would’ve had me waist deep in soil,” he said with a laugh.
“I totally get it,” Ansley responded. “My mother has a garden, but she ain’t trying to let anyone touch her precious babies. My sister and I almost lost our lives for accidentally stepping in her garden bed. While I didn’t do the work, I always appreciated the beauty. You know what I mean?”
“I know exactly what you mean,” he said looking down at her as they walked. He gestured for her to have a seat on one of the benches near the Parterre Fountain installation.
“This place is so picturesque. The artwork, the flowers, and the water features… it’s breathtaking,” she murmured while looking around.
They sat in silence, enjoying their serenity.
He reached for her hand and enclosed his around it. “I’m glad we came.”
“I am, too,” she responded. “Oh shoot. I’ve been taking photos of everything but us. Come on let’s get a selfie.”
He jerked his face in the other direction and covered his face. “Whoa, nah I’m good. How about I take a photo of you though?”
Ansley scrunched her nose. “What? No, this is a memory that I’m sharing with you and I want to capture us in this moment.”
“Listen I said I don’t want to take any freaking pictures,” he snapped.
Ansley frowned. She knew some people were camera shy but he was a tad intense.
He looked at her and noted her lips forming a straight line. “I’m sorry about that. I’m just grouchy from lack of nourishment. Are you ready to go eat?”
He rubbed his hands together.
“Uh sure, I guess so.”
They walked back toward Ansley’s car. She was very curious about his reaction to the selfie request, but up until now everything was going really well. Then there was still the need to talk to him about Simeon, which was certain to curb the mood.
They pulled into the parking lot of the West Egg, one of her favorite places for brunch.
“Okay, Davis, the botanical gardens were one thing, and now we’re having lunch at one of my favorite spots.” Ansley gave him a sidelong glance. “Have you been spying on me?”
He laughed and held up his hands in defense. “Honestly…someone at work suggested the gardens and this place for brunch. I’ve never been to either one, but I’ll have to thank my coworker for these excellent choices.”
“Oh okay. I was just thinking it’s crazy that we have these interest in common. I guess I need to meet your coworker. Sounds like we would get along great.”
He squinted at her with mock anger. Her brows moved up and down. Ansley loved how she could be playful with him. He got her humor. They just seemed to work.
The waiter came over and took their order. Ansley got the shrimp and grits, and a side of fruit. Davis chose the short rib hash, fried green tomatoes, skillet potatoes, sausage and a biscuit. She didn’t know he ate like that. It was a tad heavy for her.
While they waited for their food to arrive, he asked, “Ansley, do you think you could get use to the idea of us?”
She looked up at him. “I think you’re extremely charming and we have fun together.” As much as Ansley was trying to fight it, she was smitten with him. The more time they spent together, the more she wanted to be with him. She settled back in her chair. “I’d like to see where this goes, but we have time to figure all that out.”
He looked at her, his eyes filled with longing.
Once their meal was served, they continued to chat and get to know one another. While she loved hearing about his sister and brother, and their adventures in his grandma’s garden, the story she was most eager to hear was about that one time in Chicago when he hooked up with Simeon.
Ansley watched as Davis waved the waiter over to settle their bill. As they walked toward the exit, Davis excused himself to go to the men’s restroom.
She decided to wait for him outside. Ansley knew there would never be a perfect time to ask him about Simeon, so she thought, why not attack it head on?
Davis crept up from behind, and kissed Ansley on the cheek.
“You ready, pretty lady?”
“Sure,” she started toward the car, turning backward to look at him while she spoke. “So, Simeon told me you two got together in Chicago, and that your name is really Monty. Care to elaborate?”
She stopped in front of him, placing her hands on her hips. Davis avoided looking at her, he pivoted around her and proceeded to walk toward the car.
“Yeah, I-uh. You know—I guess, um,” he stammered, looking over his shoulder. “It must have slipped my mind.”
Ansley caught up to Davis, stepped in front of him and poked him in the chest. “You… forgot… y’all slept together or you forgot to tell me your real name?”
There, everything was out in the open. She stood there hoping he wouldn’t disappoint her with a lie.
He shrugged in nonchalance. “Please don’t start creating unnecessary drama, Ansley. Today has been great, so don’t start acting like a jealous teenage girl.”
“Come again?” Her tone was chilly. She threw her hands up dismissing him. “You know what I don’t even know why I came. I wanted to make you feel what Simeon and I felt, finding out you were playing us to get what you needed. Or at least I know what you wanted from her, not sure what your plans were for me. ”
She turned away from him and walked to the driver side of the car. She got inside, slamming her door shut. He hustled to open the passenger side door and slide inside.
“Uh—the bus stop is down that way. You might want to catch out and go find you a seat.”
Davis grabbed her hand, rubbing her fingers in between his, and turned her toward him. “Listen Ansley, I really like you, and I’m sorry about what I said. I didn’t mean to come off that way.”
She snatched her hand away. “You had a chance to come clean, at least earn forgiveness. You and I didn’t get that far, but you knew that Simeon was my girl and gave her false hope and now you got me all in the mix. It’s not cool what you did.”
“Do we really have to do this right now? Let’s just go to the art stroll, okay?”
“Davis, I can’t believe you chose to be a coward.” She threw up her hands in defeat.
“While I would love to go to the art stroll, I doubt I’ll enjoy the company—without continuing to fake it.”
“Are you serious?”
Ansley nodded. “Very.”
“Can you at least take me home and we can talk more?” he pleaded.
She rolled her eyes and turned the ignition, starting the car. Lord, I need an extra blessing for this one.