| |
He’s too good to be true. That’s what Jamila thought after Morgan dropped her off at home. Of course she didn’t want him to know she felt that way. She couldn’t give him the upper hand but she was excited to see him again.
After she showered, she pulled back the covers and lay on the bed thinking about him so much that she decided to send a text.
Hey, are you still up?
Jamila stared at the phone, waiting for a response and when he didn’t respond right away, she powered on the TV. She couldn’t sleep now if she wanted to since she was too busy nursing the warm and fuzzy feeling of being with Morgan – of feeling his lips against hers once again. since she wasn’t ready to sleep just yet. As she fanned through the channels, her phone beeped.
Morgan: I am. What’s up?
Jamila: what’s up with you?
Morgan: I just got out of the shower
Jamila: oh
He just got out of the shower...
Why did she instantly get stricken with a hot flash? She was too young for this. But the image in her head of his bare chocolate chest on display and his lower half covered with a towel had her in a chokehold.
Jamila: I thought you’d be painting or something
Morgan: In the morning, maybe. Not now. It’s late.
––––––––
Jamila glanced at the clock on her bedroom wall. It was after one in the morning. Perhaps she should stop texting and let the man sleep. That’s what she decided to do. She placed her phone on the nightstand and fluffed a few pillows behind her head. She closed her eyes and drifted. It was the phone vibrating on the nightstand that shook her awake. She picked it up and saw a text from Morgan.
Morgan: what are you doing right now?
Jamila: I was falling asleep.
Morgan: oh. I’ll let you get to it, then.
Jamila: no, I’m good if you want to talk.
Morgan: I would like to, but not text.
Jamila: call me, then.
As soon as the phone rang, Jamila picked up and said, “Yes?”
“Hi, Jamila.”
“Hi, Morgan.”
“Have I ever told you I love the sound of your voice?” he asked, not that he was trying to gas her up. He legitimately loved hearing her voice, especially when it was directed toward him in a positive way.
Jamila blushed and grew thankful that he couldn’t see her reaction since they were on the phone. “No, you haven’t, but thank you.”
“You’re welcome. By the way, we still need to get back to your painting. I would love it if you could come by my place tomorrow.”
“You mean the studio?”
“No. My apartment.”
“You took the canvas home?”
“I did. I’m staring at it right now. It looks cold. And sad.”
Jamila chuckled. “Aw. You’re making me feel bad about a painting.”
“As you should. You barely even painted anything.”
“I followed your directions. If you weren’t too busy staring at the back of my neck, we could’ve made some progress.”
“I suppose you’re right about that.”
“I know I am.”
“So, what time can you come over tomorrow?”
“I don’t know. What time is good for you, Morgan?”
“I have a suggestion, but I don’t want to throw it out there and then you shoot it down because you’re so used to being home on Saturday.”
“What’s your suggestion?”
“That we meet up for brunch at 12:30 and then head to my place from there.”
“That’s doable.”
“What?” he grinned. “You’re cool with that?”
“Yeah. Let’s do it.”
“Do you know any good brunch spots?” he asked.
“We could always go to Famous Toastery in Uptown.”
“Perfect. What time should I pick you up?” Morgan asked.
“Pick me up? Correct me if I’m wrong, but you said we were meeting each other.”
“I mean, what’s so bad about being in a vehicle with me?”
Um...I don’t know. Maybe because it was nerve-racking being in the elevator with you and that nice outfit you had on, those dreads tied back in a ponytail and that cologne you were wearing that brought everything together. I couldn’t breathe then...and now you expect me to get into a car with you?
“Hello?” Morgan asked to make sure she was still there.
“I’m here. Um—you can pick me up.”
“Are you sure? I want you to be comfortable.”
“Yeah. It’s fine.”
“Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon, then, Ms. Hampton.”
“Yep. See you tomorrow. Goodnight, Morgan.”
“Goodnight.”
Jamila placed the phone back on the nightstand and smiled. After pulling the string to turn off the lamp on her nightstand, she fell back into her pillows and closed her eyes satisfied that tomorrow, she’d get to spend more time with Morgan.