Page 36 of The Need to Know

“ ’Bye, Ezekiel.” I hung up and texted him my address before I could change my mind, rolling the dice and running the risk. I felt silly for the way I was biting my lip. The way I was both nervous and excited. The way I felt alive, drumming with energy.

Corey was an asshole, but I couldn’t count out all men and hold myself hostage any longer. I deserved to live my life.

Maybe Ezekiel was worth it.

He was respectful, protective, a cat lover, and he cared enough to worry about my age—responsible. All that paired with his good looks had me curious.

In the end, I crossed my fingers and hoped I’d rolled a seven.

By Wednesday afternoon my second thoughts were eating me alive. I couldn’t concentrate through the workday, barely able to pay attention to whatever it was Paisley was saying, focusing more on the time than anything.

It wasn’t a date, but what would I wear? How would I style my hair? What were we even doing?

“Okay,” Paisley suddenly said loudly. “What’s up?”

“Huh?” I came out of my thoughts. Paisley was looming over me as I stood at the checkout counter, watching me for who knows how long.

Paisley gestured to me. “I’ve been talking to you all day and you act like you’re not listening, Nas.”

I hadn’t told her about my plans, stalling from the whole confrontation. Now time had run out.

A customer came up to the counter to check out. In her freckled arms, she was carrying two striped maxi dresses. I grabbed the gun and scanned the barcodes on the tags as I began ringing her up, using this interaction to buy time.

Could I wear a maxi dress later? He hadn’t explicitly stated his intentions or plans, so I was in the dark on what was appropriate to wear.

Paisley pasted her hand to her hip after I handed the woman her receipt and she walked off, heading toward the exit. “Well?”

Finally, I faced my best friend, ready to hear it. “Ezekiel and I are hanging out later, so I need to cut early today. I was thinking five.”

Paisley took a moment to compose herself as her thin eyebrows shot toward her hairline and her glossed mouth fell open. She held up a hand and angled her head, and then she paused, appearing thoughtful. “Hanging out? At y’all’s big ages? Girl, if you set up a dick appointment just say that.”

Was I beating around the bush? Ezekiel was grown. I was grown. Hanging out did sound childish. Maybe it was time to just implicate our Three Strike policy, where a man had to hit three strikes to get it. It was something Paisley came up with for when she was being courted by a guy, something that was a failsafe that saw her through every time she swore.

“Okay, either way, I’m leaving. Is that okay with you?” I made sure to ask.

“I can handle the last three hours,” Paisley said as she waved me off. “I’ll just be on standby expecting all the details on what happened.”

I made her a deal and as the clock struck five, I gathered my bag and clocked out for the day. I rushed home, taking a quick shower before ransacking my wardrobe for the perfect look. In the end, I found three options and laid them out on my bed before snapping a pic and sending it to Pay.

Paisley

It’s hot af outside. Nay on the jeans

Paisley

Unless it IS a dick appointment, nah on the dress. Don’t tempt yourself

Paisley

I’m here for the romper, cause LEGGGGGS!

Me

I got some rose gold metallic heels that’ll make this shit pop

Paisley

Fuck it up, sis!