“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me this was going down.”
“Then it wouldn’t have been a surprise. But since I know you, I figured I’d call and give you a little pep talk.”
I frowned. “For what?”
“Sis, stop questioning it and enjoy the ride. Let him spoil you. You deserve it.”
I nibbled on my bottom lip. “But he’s doing all this… I’m different in a relationship than I am as a friend. Expectations aren’t the same. What if we don’t click like that? What if we don’t have anything to talk about?” I eyed the driver and whispered, “What if we’re not compatible in the bedroom? What if—?”
“Char, stop. It’s Dex. You two are perfectly content talking about everything and nothing. The chemistry is already there. He hasn’t changed, neither have you. You’ll be fine.”
“This feels like a dream.”
“Because it is. I hate seeing you like this, doubting yourself.”
For some reason, I couldn’t shake that niggling feeling in the back of my mind that this wasn’t real, that I wasn’t the right woman for him. “He could have anybody.” My voice sounded small to my own ears.
“He wantsyou,” she countered. Her eyes softened. “I wish you could see how dope you really are.”
“I’m getting better,” I said lamely.
“Keep working at it.”
The car stopped. “Well, I’m here. I’ll call you later.”
She grinned. “Have fun. But don’t come back pregnant.”
I swiped the call off and thanked the driver. Elise was right. It was just Dex. I’d known him since we were kids. He gave his Superman ice cream to me when the mean kids took mine. He’d threatened to hurt every boy who bullied me in school. He lent me his shoulder to cry on several times for various reasons. In all the years I’d known him, he had never let me down. Dex had already shown me through his actions that he thought I was worthy to be treasured. It was my turn to trust that, to not assume the worst, to enjoy the moment. To enjoyhim. And that’s exactly what I planned to do.
ChapterNine
READY OR NOT
Dexter
“Ladies, I have a special guest today. You’ve been asking for that all-too-valuable relationship advice and I have a treat for you. One of my fave people in the world is here. Dexter Young, Relationship Expert. Welcome, Dex.”
I smiled at radio show host, Deja Taylor. “What’s up, D? Thanks for having me.”
Deja was a host of a popular morning show podcast geared toward black women. Her and her crew had made a name for themselves by offering a variety of content from entertainment news to sports commentary to political content. One of their most popular segments was the book club segment. After she’d read my book, she contacted me and asked me to be her guest.
“Ladies, let me tell you…” she said, “…this man is giving off that Big Big Energy. Clean than-a-mug. Classic. Fine as all else.”
I smirked at my friend. “Really?”
Deja arched a brow. “You know I call it how I see it. Ladies, Dex and I have known each other for years. He recently published his debut book,It’s not the Hookup, It’s the Chase. And I’m so grateful that he stopped by.”
“I’m glad to be here.”
“Whew, ladies.” She smacked the table and let out an exaggerated sigh. “That voice!”
Deja launched into the story of how we met. We’d attended Hampton University together. From the moment we’d met, we were tight. We both majored in Psychology, enjoyed photography, and ran track. We’d even dated for a minute—until we realized that we were better as friends. Which was a good thing because she was now happily married with one child on the way.
“But trust me,” she continued, “He’s one of the best men I know, doing good work out here.”
I laughed. “Thank you.”
We spent the bulk of the show talking about the book, about my job as a professional wingman and relationship coach, and a little about my personal life. It wasn’t the first time I’d done a radio show, but it was theonlytime I’d enjoyed it. Probably because I was talking to a friend.
