“Did you pack anything cute for this date? Or is it nothing but muumuus and pilates sets in your luggage?”
“First of all, I don’t own a muumuu, and second, I have several dresses, miss ma’am.”
“You know? The more I think about it, this sounds like some kind of romance-novel-type shit. I mean, what a romantic meet-cute. On a plane, talking and getting to know one another on a long ass flight. Falling for each other in paradise.”
“Falling? No one is falling. And there will be no romance for anyone on this trip. It’s just been a weird day, that’s all. I swear, I feel like I’m in the twilight zone.”
My phone vibrates with a text. Lo and behold, it’s Andy.
ANDY: So sorry, Ms. Jacobs. I got the flight times mixed up. Johnny is on the way and says his ETA is 7:30.
I don’t have to look at my watch to know that 7:30 is almost two hours from now.
“Baffling day indeed,” Lo says. “But you know all things happen for a reason. This sounds like the beginning of a beautiful relationship.”
I can’t stop the burst of laughter erupting out of me if I tried. “You and your imagination. That man is here for a wedding. I’m here for self-care.”
“Let himtake careof that pussy.”
“Not doing that,” I cackle. “But we will get dinner sometime during our stay.Justdinner.”
“Well, you can’t have dinner without dessert,” Lo smirks. “Get some dick while you’re there. You’re on vacation for cryingout loud. What goes on in Maui, stays in Maui. You’ve been holding your cards close since your breakup with Trey, and this trip is about letting loose and having fun.”
I shake my head, fighting a smile. Lo is a whole mess. But there’s a small voice in the back of my mind whisperingwhat if.
What if I did let go…just this once?
Nah, sis. They always fuck up.
I’m not going to be pressured into anything romantic with Othello. One simple date. That's it. That’s all.
My fingers move over the keypad of my phone as I text Andy back.
MARLEY: It’s fine. I’ll get a rental car.
“I’m going to assume the silence means you’re considering it,” Lo announces.
“I was texting Andy. And no. I’m not having sex with Othello.”
“Why the fuck not? Have you seen that man?”
Oh, I’ve seen him.
Those thick full lips should come with a warning label: kiss at your own risk. Othello was a beautiful creation, indeed.
“Lo, my dear sweet friend, I get it. But I’m not going to lose all my morals and turn my trip intoFreaknik.”
“Hey, what are you still doing here?”
A deep voice cuts through the hustle and bustle and my conversation with Lo.
I look up and see Othello sitting in a convertible with the top down. He looks so damn good in that car; it’s almost unfair.
“Um, Lo. I gotta go. I wish you were here.”
“Same! Have the best time. And fuck that man nice and slow!”
Omg!
