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ANDREA HAD STAYED FOR over three hours last night, not going home until close to midnight. Mika had filled her in on everything since she’d last seen her. Andrea felt all of Robert’s behavior showed that he cared about her and was even falling in love; he just didn’t know how to say it out loud. When it came to the flowers Andrea had gotten the same sappy look in her eye as the clerk. It just so happened Mika had kept a picture of every arrangement he’d ever sent her, guess she was sappy as well. The two had combed the internet for the meanings of each flower as Mika thought back on their time together before each arrival, it all added up.
He had been expressing his feelings the whole time. Slowly but surely his feelings had been getting stronger. She had been ill-equipped to see it, being as she hadn’t known what genuine affection looked like. Mika was used to men seeing her body, wanting to hang out just for fun, either in or outside the bedroom.
She had cried a little, then a lot after that inner revelation. Andrea offering her hugs and wine. The latter of which she had declined and Andrea had promptly declared her either ill or in love. As the night went on Andrea said she believed Robert would come around as he was obviously missing her, per Brihanna’s report. Andrea also pointed out how Robert had pursued her all this time. How he basically initiated every date or face-to-face interaction they’d had. Mika had been surprised that this had never dawned on her before.
Her friend felt a man like Robert who never chased women, had to care an awful lot to put himself out there like he had with her. That he was sensible to a fault and would calm down and try to sort this out. Mika wasn’t so sure of that, reminding Andrea how he’d treated her in his office. Andrea had waved that away, saying men could be more vindictive and hold grudges longer than women. Just look at how “easygoing” Cam had frozen her out completely for months!
That reminder had shifted the conversation to Andrea’s tales of married life. Mika allowed her stories to distract her and make her laugh. It actually made her feel better to see how in love and happy her best friend was. It sparked a little ember of hope in her own heart. When Andrea was leaving she gave me an extra-hard hug and the same advice I’d given her—not to wait too long before making it right. Although she followed that up by saying she had a feeling Robert would be gracing my doorstep soon.
Now it was Saturday the next day and Mika felt more clearheaded. It was around three in the afternoon as she was worked up the courage to call Robert. Pacing up and down the hallway with the phone in her hand. Eventually her legs carried her to the kitchen.
“Maybe I’ll have a small glass of wine first.”
She poured a nice smooth red and continued pacing, this time in the kitchen. She knew she was stalling. In the past a big argument with a man meant she deleted their number and never saw them again. So this uncomfortable situation of trying to work through issues was foreign to her. Just as her finger was about to bring his number up, she heard her bell ring.
“Ugh...I’m not expecting anyone.” She quickly did a mental check to see if she had any packages arriving, but concluded she hadn’t ordered anything in a while. Pulling up her security app that allowed her to see who was outside, she almost dropped the phone. It was Robert!
“Damn!” Calling him was one thing but she wasn’t prepared for the man in the flesh. She watched as he rang the bell again, this time looking up at the camera that he knew was there, raising that arrogant eyebrow of his.
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ROBERT KNEW SHE WAS looking at him through the peephole or through the camera that she’d made him install after the last time he’d randomly shown up. After the conversation with his mother and a tirade from Brihanna when he called to apologize, he had sat down and really evaluated their entire relationship. Pushing his hurt and anger aside, to look at it from an objective 360-view.
Their relationship had always been a tightrope walk for them both. Neither of them had been confident in the direction they were heading, as they tried to navigate the landmines of a “real relationship”. From when they’d started as “wary combatants” then headed to “hesitant lovers”, and finally arrived at the “new couple” stage. They’d come a long way when he thought about it.
His mother was right, his heart was involved. He’d known that really from the start but had brushed it off as treating her differently due to the bond they had with their friends. No the truth was all this was new for him, and he hadn’t wanted to put a name to what he was feeling. That would make it “real”.
The way he had treated her had zero to do with Cam and Andrea. It may have started with him wanting to get in her pants, morphing into him wanting to make her happy, and in the end just be around her. He felt good when she was near, even at the start when they were needling each other. Her vibe gave him life, energized him. Robert had known her strong fear of getting pregnant and instead of being coolheaded and relieving her panic, his ego had added to it. Afterward, he’d only made it worse by refusing her apology. A man was supposed to soothe and vanquish his woman's fears and problems, not be the problem. He was hoping he could make it right. He didn’t want to lose someone he had just figured out he needed in his life.
When the door finally opened, he swept his eyes over her, drinking in the sight. “Can I come in?”
“I think that’s the first time you’ve ever asked.”
Robert gave a small smile. “Is that a yes? You never answer my questions.”
“You might as well. I literally was about to call you.” She wiggled the phone still cradled in her hand.
“That's good.” He entered and watched as she shut the door. “That means we’re thinking along the same lines.”
“That remains to be seen. Let's have a seat, my feet are tired from pacing.” She led him into the living room, her heart beating a mile a minute as he sat on the couch angling towards her. Her first instinct was to hug him, touch him and punch him all at the same time.
They sat looking at each other until he finally said, “You look good...but you always do.”
“Is that all you came here to say Robert?”
“Naw.” He rubbed a hand over the top of his head before leaning forward. “I’m stalling, just like you were with the pacing.”
She briefly touched his leg. “I’m glad you’re here...I think it’s important we talk.”
The woman had only touched him for two seconds, yet he felt the tingle through his clothes. That’s how in-tune his body was to hers. He gritted his teeth to remain focused and just came out with it.
“I’m sorry, about the way I acted that morning. I could have cleared everything up right then.” When she went to interrupt he shook his head. “I’m sorry that I didn’t accept your apology. It took a lot to admit you had overreacted, and I was petty not to let it go. I’m sorry that I wasn’t secure enough to talk when you came to my office trying to move past it. In a nutshell I was wrong. I want us to move on from this, if it’s something you want as well.”
Mika didn’t know what she’d expected. The reality of him admitting his part in the disaster was refreshing. The day had come when Robert Lorde had apologized readily and fully, it was a new day indeed! He was quietly waiting on her response, not pushing or rushing just waiting. Still strong, still full of pride, yet vulnerable as he looked in her eyes. She reached out and took his hand.
“I want that as well. Thank you for the apology. I’ll give you mine again. I’m sorry for how I reacted.” She squeezed his hand. “I know the man who remembers each and every time we’ve been intimate and celebrates it with flowers, is a man I can trust.”
Robert let out a half embarrassed laugh. “You finally figured it out huh?”
“Yeah, with a little help from your biggest fan, Yolanda at the flower shop.” Mika couldn’t help it. The cute bashful smile on his face made her lean in and give him a quick peck on the lips.
“I knew I could trust you before I found out how sappy and romantic you are. I’m so sorry I ever made you think I didn’t. What I’ve never been sure of, was exactly where we stood with each other.” She lifted their combined hands in example.
“Let’s call a spade a spade.” Robert announced. “We’re in a relationship.”
“Are we?”
He sighed heavily. Damn women for always wanting the words. “It’s what I’d like, and what we’ve been building up to. Do people who aren’t in a relationship have a fight like we just did? Unless they genuinely care for each other?”
“Some do.”
“Well, I don’t. I want us to acknowledge we’re a couple in a full-fledged, serious relationship. No more grey area.”
“Okay,” she said quickly, suddenly shy. Mika bit her lip hard struggling not to shout out she was falling in love with him. Things were suddenly moving fast, she didn’t want to complicate things further. One step at a time was probably best for them.
“I guess I’m in like with you,” she said slyly, scooting closer and putting her arms around his back.
“Just like? You sure?” He gave her ass a gentle squeeze.
She nodded her head yes before asking, “If I were to give you a note asking if you liked me, would you check yes or no?”
He threw his head back laughing. “Neither. I’d ball it up then do this,” He swooped forward and kissed her until she went limp. “That would be part of the answer.”
“And what would the other part be?”
“I’d take your face in my hands.” He did. “Look you in your eyes...and tell you I’m falling in love with you.” He saw her eyes get watery but she didn’t say anything, while his heart knocked in his chest. “Hopefully in that scenario you won’t leave me hanging.”
“I wouldn’t leave you hanging.” She let out a nervous laugh, her voice wavering. “You caught me off guard. I was just thinking I didn’t want to say the same and scare you off.”
She stroked his jaw, palming his face. “I’m falling in love with you too. I think we’re in for a helluva ride.”
