The waiter sets down a glass of espresso martini in front of me. Her nails are long, coffin-shaped, and bright red. She smiles, asking if I need anything else. I smile back, shaking my head, signaling that I’m fine.
A couple, two booths away, are locked in some sort of harangue. I turn my neck aggressively and give them a death stare. They should either shut up or be decent enough to take it outside.
But then again, what do I know? That might be me soon.
I bounce my left leg, back and forth, watching the door. Jaiye’s late—about fifteen minutes.
He’s had his own share of waiting on me, after all. I deserve this, the delay, the waiting.
I adjust my blouse for the twentieth time. It’s one of those pieces that fold at the shoulders, probably made for women with broader frames—not for me. But Jaiye likes styles like this, so I wear it to make myself pleasing to his eyes.
The waiter’s voice breaks through my thoughts. “Right here.” And immediately I get that lamina feeling. He’s here and I lose all composure.
Jaiye adjusts his bow tie as he walks toward me. I’d positioned myself facing the door on purpose—so I could take him all in as soon as he stepped in.
As he moves, he smiles at a little girl calling for her mom, and the moment feels like I am in a dream. His smile is effortless and breathtaking. He’s in a navy blue tux, perfectly tailored, hugging his frame in a way that makes me heated.
He smiles at me but there’s something distant about it and for a second, I feel a pang in my chest.
“Hey, I’m sorry I’m late,” he says as he reaches the table, “Got caught up with a client.”
“Yeah, yeah, that’s fine,” I reply as I watch him pull off his tux jacket and fold his sleeves. I know he caught me staring, and for some reason, I’m embarrassed.
“You said you wanted to talk,” he says, his voice soft but firm, his hands folded across his chest. “What’s going on?”
“It’s been a week, Jaiye, I just… I wanted to apologize for my flippancy and my lack of consideration the last time we hung out. I was out of line. I’m sorry.”
He watches me for a long moment, “That’s it?, You just wanted to apologize?” He says.
“I think so,” I say, biting my lips.
“What do you want, Dunni? I need you to tell me what you want?”
“Jay… please” I respond
“No! I am tired of your back and forth. We address it today, or whatever we have, whatever this is.. is done! I just want to love you Dunni, why wont you let me? From the first time at Tade’s house party, I have loved you. And before you go ahead and talk about how your life is so messed up and blah blah blah, I get it! I really do but we all need help sometimes, Dunni! You need help! You need love, peace, reassurance and most importantly I need you! You, and your so-called messed-up life- I need it, I want it! Why do you have to make it all so difficult? Why won’t you just let me love you??“
I grip my cup of water tightly as I stare at him, speechless. All I have left are my tears, so I let them fall. Jaiye moves swiftly to my side of the booth and wraps his arms around me. We stay like that for what feels like five minutes, our heartbeats syncing to the same rhythm.
"I should go," I say quietly, drying my eyes with the sleeve of my coat.
"Dunni?" He says and before I can respond, he grabs my hands. His palms are soft, and they fit perfectly with mine, like they were always meant to.
I don’t say a word. I simply turn and walk out of the restaurant, like a woman who has just seen a ghost.
One week After:
Ugh! These stupid boots, why the hell did I wear them? I stood at the train station, cursing myself. Today was not the day to take my time. I needed to be at Jaiye’s loft soon—I wasn’t going to let him go to Marrakech alone.
We’d spent almost three weeks planning this baecation, and I wasn’t going to miss it. Though I was surprised he hadn’t canceled his own ticket.
As I stepped out of the train station, I couldn’t get to his doorbell fast enough. As I was about to push the red button, the door swung open.
Jaiye stood there, wet, shirtless, and in nothing but shorts. Why does he always do this to me? I thought to myself.
“Oh, I was just about to… how did you know I was here?” I asked, scratching my head.
“I’ve been waiting for you,” he said, his voice low. “I’ve been waiting…”
Before he could finish, I jumped on him, wrapping my arms around him in the tightest hug I could muster.
“I’m sorry I walked away, It’s funny, because I write all these books, but when it comes to you, I always fall short of words. You came into my life, and you were just… too much. Your actions toward me—too hard to believe. Your endless love—too much to take in. Your handsomeness, your smile, who you are—just too much, Jaiye. So forgive me for always running away. I didn’t think I was enough for you. I didn’t think I could do so much or be so much, like you do… but I was wrong. I see that now, and I love you, Jaiye. You are everything I’ve always wanted. I want you, I need you—always.”
“Dunni, ahh, you are a lover girl o.” he teased with a grin.
“Stop…” I started to protest, but before I could say anything else, he swept me up in his arms, and we kissed like we’d been apart for three years.
“Ah, thank you for carrying me.” I said, breathless after the kiss.
“You’re welcome,” he replied with a playful smirk. “I can’t believe you ran to my house with those boots on. I know your feet hurt!”
I roll my eyes at him and we laugh - I could not believe he was all mine.
Sage Roses ❁