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I shook my head. “Somehow, I don’t think this is what she meant. Anyway... do I look, you know... fat?”
She pushed off from the wall and placed her Ramen bowl on the dresser. She then turned and walked over to me. She turned me back to the mirror with her hands on my shoulders. Her arms came around me, and she hugged me tightly.
“You are absolutely beautiful, pooh. You deserve to embrace your body.” Her hands went to my stomach. “You created and carried a life. You battled depression and anxiety along with losing a child and your parents. Nobody would look the same after the kinda trauma you had. You may have gained a little weight, but you are not fat. Most men, real men, appreciate a woman with meat on her bones. I’ve seen the way Callum looks at you. He likes all of this.”
She playfully pretended to hump me from behind. I couldn’t help but laugh as I pushed her off of me.
“My point is, fuck other people. My good sis Sheryl Lee Ralph said it best. People don’t have to like you. They don’t have to love you. They don’t even have to respect you. But when you look in the mirror, you better love the person you see. Remember your affirmations.”
I nodded. “I hear you.”
Someone knocked on my door. I looked over at the clock on the wall.
“That’s probably Callum. Would you mind getting the door? I need a minute.”
“I’ve got you.”
She left the space, and I took a few deep breaths. Grabbing my crossbody, I stuffed my phone, keys, wallet, and other essentials inside. I could hear Callum laughing with Avyn, and my heart began to race.
“Calm down, girl...” I told myself.
After strategically spraying on my perfume, I left the bedroom area and walked out into the living room. My breath hitched as my eyes landed on Callum. He wore black shorts, a short-sleeve white button-up, and a pair of black sneakers. A simple gold watch and chain were his jewelry of choice. His outfit was simple, but God, did he look delicious.
He looked up from his conversation with Avyn. I didn’t miss how his eyes perused me from head to toe. He licked his lips, and a smile spread across his face. Stepping away from Avyn, he came into my space and pulled me into a hug. God, he smelled so good. I closed my eyes and allowed his scent to engulf me.
He kissed my forehead. “You look amazing. Orange is certainly your color.”
I blushed. “Thank you.”
“Are you ready?”
“Ready to see what you are about to get me into since you’ve been secretive.”
He chuckled. “It wasn’t a secret. I just want you to have fun without thinking about it. We are gonna relieve some stress.”
“Mmm,” Avyn moaned in the background. I shot her a look. “My bad, girl. I’m just gonna head upstairs. You two kids have fun and don’t stay out too late. You have my girl in at a respectable hour, sir. Nothing is open late but legs.”
“Avyn!” I exclaimed.
She laughed as she headed out my front door. I shook my head.
“I’m sorry about that. She has no filter.”
“I promise, it’s okay. I like her. She’s unapologetically herself.”
“Always.”
He offered me his arm. “Shall we?”
I linked my arm through his. “We shall.”
I wasn’t sure what this “friend date” would entail, but I was ready for whatever it had in store.
Chapter
Twenty-Two
Callum
